2484-Biologist III

Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB CODE TITLE: BIOLOGIST III JOB CODE: 2484

Business Unit: COMMN

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, plans, designs, develops and coordinates special/non-routine environmental monitoring projects related to drinking water and wastewater facilities, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments and watershed resources. Works independently and in conjunction with Water Quality engineers and laboratory staff as well as other biologists to identify and resolve environmental problems associated with facility operations and to achieve compliance with regulations. Trains technical and professional personnel in effective field sampling techniques and laboratory processing procedures.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

Biologist III is the advanced journey level of this series. It is distinguished from Biologist II, which is responsible for performing routine environmental monitoring studies, and the Supervising Biologist, which is a supervisory code. Biologist III requires a comprehensive knowledge of ecology, watershed biology and interactions between physical, chemical, and biological conditions that affect environmental communities and habitat.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Positions at this level do not supervise other professional employees, but may coordinate the work of technical personnel (Water Quality Technician I/II and III) and journey-level staff (Biologist I/II). This position may exercise supervision during absence of Supervising Biologist.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 9, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to 2484 Biologist III and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Participates as the environmental representative with other City personnel to identify legislation and issues that will impact PUC activities.

2. Interacts with City regulatory analysts, planning staff and engineers to develop environmental components of City projects and developments.

3. Participates in negotiations with regulatory agencies and local interest groups to identify and explain environmental issues.

4. Interacts with local, regional, and national environmental research agencies to gather information and techniques to improve the integrity of existing biological programs.

5. Designs, develops, and implements studies to provide information that will satisfy the needs of special projects, future legislation, and/or current environmental concerns.

6. Analyzes environmental data with the purpose of determining the effectiveness of existing monitoring studies; proposes changes to existing studies as necessary.

7. In conjunction with the Supervising Biologist, identifies environmental problems associated with facility operations; plans, coordinates and conducts special studies to resolve those problems and to achieve compliance with regulations.

8. Trains biology personnel in effective field sampling, taxonomy, and toxicity testing procedures.

JOB CODE TITLE: BIOLOGIST III JOB CODE: 2484

Business Unit: COMMN

9. Reviews data and reports to determine conformance to quality assurance objectives and certification requirements.

10. Applies multivariate statistical analyses to environmental data; develops alternative data analysis methods.

11. Researches literature for most current taxonomic nomenclature; coordinates taxonomic consistency among staff; prepares technical reports and papers for management personnel, and publication in scientific journals.

12. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of: comprehensive knowledge of theory and principles of marine, fresh water, and terrestrial ecology; invertebrate, fisheries, wildlife and/or plankton taxonomy; acute and chronic toxicity testing; microbiology and parisitology analysis and culturing techniques; scientific method and research methodology; quality assurance methodology; and statistical methods and analysis.

Ability to: interpret and analyze scientific data; design and develop study plans; prepare and write technical reports (including reports for publication); interact effectively with colleagues, supervisors, clients and regulatory personnel; train personnel in advanced field and laboratory techniques; coordinate special studies and projects; and train subordinates and other lab personnel.

Skill in: applied research biology; applied statistics; coordination of special studies; written and oral communication; and use of computerized information systems.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

1. Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental biology, marine biology, aquatic biology, wildlife biology, fisheries biology, limnology, aquatic toxicology microbiology, biochemistry, or a related environmental science; AND

2. Six (6) years of verifiable environmental experience in field or laboratory biology.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid driver's license.

Effective: 12/4/00

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation