Aquatic Biologist 2
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Apply to Aquatic Biologist 2 at Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaJob details
- Location
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $60,538 - $92,010/yr
- Posted
- today
- Apply on
- governmentjobs.com
About this role
About the Department
Become an Aquatic Biologist 2 with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and support efforts that keep streams and wetlands safe. This position offers the chance to conduct field studies, review permit applications, and help resolve environmental concerns. You will play a key role in protecting aquatic life and guiding responsible project development. DEP encourages dedicated professionals who value science, problem solving, and environmental stewardship to apply.
Position Duties
This position supports the Waterways and Wetlands Program by reviewing permit applications, conducting field investigations, and providing scientific guidance to resolve environmental issues. As an Aquatic Biologist 2, you will perform the following duties:
- Permit Review: Conduct environmental reviews of Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit applications to ensure compliance with laws and regulations
- Agency Coordination: Work with local, state, and federal agencies to review environmental information and address project needs
- Technical Guidance: Provide scientific assistance to engineers, planners, officials, and the public regarding aquatic resources and regulations
- Field Investigation: Perform site inspections to evaluate aquatic conditions, verify permit requirements, and document findings
- Compliance Actions: Investigate complaints, support enforcement actions, and prepare reports, notices, and technical recommendations
- Program Support: Use electronic systems to enter data, review records, manage information, and follow established procedures
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- Travel will be required for site visits
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Pittsburgh. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538 (before taxes).
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
Minimum Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year as an Aquatic Biologist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- One year of professional experience in aquatic biology or water pollution biology and a bachelor's degree with a major in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management, including or supplemented by six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework.
Special Requirement:
- This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle license.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
Other Qualifications
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
Benefits
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
Supplemental Questions
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.- Yes
- No
- 1 year or more
- 6 months but less than 1 year
- Less than 6 months
- None
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.- 30 credits or more
- Less than 30 credits
- None
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.
- Yes
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
- A. I have experience reviewing permit applications and related plans to ensure compliance with state regulations; identifying issues; and making recommendations for approval or denial.
- B. I have experience reviewing permit applications and related plans to ensure compliance with state regulations and identifying issues. SOMEONE ELSE made recommendations for approval or denial.
- C. I have experience preparing permit applications and plans to ensure compliance with state regulations.
- D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to compliance monitoring, development planning, or permit processes.
- E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.
- The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
- The duties you performed related to reviewing permits and plans to ensure compliance.
- The duties you performed related to identifying issues and making recommendations for approval or denial.
- Your experience preparing permit applications.
- Your level of responsibility.
- College/University
- Course Title(s)
- Credits/Clock Hours
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
- A. I have experience CONDUCTING wetland delineations by identifying plants, sources of hydrology, and hydric soils, and using desktop review tools such as GIS to verify wetland boundaries.
- B. I have experience REVIEWING wetland delineations performed by others by verifying that plants, sources of hydrology, and hydric soils have been identified accurately, and using desktop review tools such as GIS to verify wetland boundaries.
- C. I have experience identifying plants, sources of hydrology, or hydric soils.
- D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to GIS Software Application or wetland delineations.
- E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.
- The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
- The duties you performed related to conducting wetland delineations.
- The duties you performed related to reviewing wetland delineations performed by others.
- The duties you performed related to identifying plants, sources of hydrology, or hydric soils.
- Details regarding your use of GIS.
- College/University
- Course Title(s)
- Credits/Clock Hours
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
- A. I have experience CONDUCTING surface activity site inspections, DETERMINING environmental impacts, and EVALUATING if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits.
- B. I have experience CONDUCTING surface activity site inspections and EVALUATING if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits. I DID NOT determine environmental impacts.
- C. I have experience EVALUATING field conditions to ensure they meet the specifications of plans and permits, OR DETERMINING environmental impacts based on the inspections completed by others.
- D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to environmental science, environmental protection, or natural resource management.
- E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.
- The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
- The duties you performed related to conducting surface activity site inspections.
- The duties you performed related to determining environmental impacts.
- The duties you performed related to evaluating if field conditions meet the specifications of plans and permits.
- Your Level of responsibility.
- College/University
- Course Title(s)
- Credits/Clock Hours
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
- A. I have experience writing technical reports related to aquatic resource investigations, interpretations, findings, conclusions, or recommendations. I was responsible for the content of the COMPLETE document.
- B. I have experience writing PORTIONS OR SECTIONS of technical reports related to aquatic resource investigations, interpretations, findings, conclusions, or recommendations. I WAS NOT responsible for the complete document.
- C. I have experience writing technical reports NOT related to aquatic resource investigations, interpretations, findings, conclusions, or recommendations.
- D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to report writing, technical writing, or scientific writing.
- E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.
- The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
- The duties you performed related to writing technical reports, including the topic(s).
- Your level of responsibility.
- College/University
- Course Title(s)
- Credits/Clock Hours
Required Question
Agency Information
EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North StreetHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov