JOB TITLE: FISHERIES BIOLOGIST 3, PFBC

JOB CODE: 14770

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Fisheries Biologist series describes work for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) related to research, management, conservation, and protection of fish, fisheries, reptiles, amphibians, and other aquatic organisms, including threatened and endangered species, to enhance the commonwealth’s aquatic resources and associated angling opportunities.

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional work in the field of fisheries biology.

An employee in this job manages a designated regional fisheries area or a statewide fisheries program. Employees managing a regional fisheries management area or aquatic restoration unit plan, implement, and monitor fisheries-related activities and programs in their assigned region. Duties involve developing and implementing fisheries management or species recovery plans; administering budgets for activities and programs; collecting and analyzing data to assess, manage, and recover aquatic resources and fisheries; determining appropriate field and office protocols for sampling and assessing area resources; and documenting recommendations and analyses in scientific reports. Employees managing a statewide program from the central office conduct advanced fisheries, habitat, and environmental management and research to develop environmental protection criteria; optimize the management and resource stewardship of aquatic organisms, their habitats, and fisheries; provide consultation to regional biologists; conduct independent research and analysis; and develop recommendations on rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and reporting requirements for their assigned program. Supervision may be exercised over lower-lever Fisheries Biologists, Fisheries Technicians, and Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Aides. Employees work independently and results are reviewed by a professional supervisor through reports and meetings.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     Positions appropriate to this job serve in one of the following capacities:

          • Responsible for managing a designated regional fisheries area or aquatic restoration unit.

          • Responsible for developing and implementing a statewide fisheries program.

          • Supervises at least one employee at the Fisheries Biologist 2 level.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Develops and directs the implementation of fisheries management or species recovery plans for an assigned region to protect, conserve, and enhance aquatic resources and fishing opportunities.

• Analyzes surveys, studies, reports, and investigation results and develops appropriate management strategies for affected aquatic resources and fisheries.

• Develops and manages an operating budget for program area.

• Conducts research and analysis on laboratory and field techniques, methods, and procedures used in aquatic resource management and develops or revises them as necessary.

• Conducts research and analysis, develops recommendations, and plans implementation for a statewide fisheries program, such as fisheries management, environmental services, aquatic habitat enhancement and restoration, fish culture, or resource-species studies.

• Conducts statewide studies in fish nutrition, fish disease, fish genetics, and hatchery effluent.

• Reviews environmental impact statements for effect on water equality and aquatic life.

• Develops and directs studies of complex fisheries biology and ecological issues.

• Coordinates statewide activities for the review of permits related to aquatic resources and fisheries.

• Researches, develops, and implements aquatic habitat enhancement and restoration plans to enhance conditions and mitigate environmental and human impacts to aquatic organisms and their habitat.

• Researches new funding sources and directs or prepares proposals and required documentation for federal, state, and private grants.

• Prepares reports detailing the results of scientific investigations for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals, government publications, and popular articles.

• Testifies on behalf of the PFBC in administrative and legal proceedings on fisheries science matters.

• Represents PFBC on intra-agency workgroups and interagency technical advisory boards.

• Speaks before various audiences, such as outdoor sports and conservation organizations, professional societies, commissions and councils, schools, and civic clubs.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of theories, procedures, and methods used in fisheries biology, fisheries and habitat management, environmental management, and fish culture.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices related to water quality management, including the prevention, identification, and remediation of problems.

• Knowledge of land use patterns and effects on the aquatic environment.

• Knowledge of the use and care of equipment for conducting surveys of fish populations, habitat, aquatic organism health studies, and water quality.

• Knowledge of population dynamics and statistics to estimate fish populations, fish age and growth, and mortality.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of identification, life history, habitat requirements, and management of aquatic organisms.

• Knowledge of the use and care of standard laboratory equipment such as microscopes, meters, balances, and electronic scales.

• Knowledge of the methods and procedures of fish dissection including otolith extraction.

• Knowledge of intermediate statistics and basic algebra principles.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office suite software.

• Ability to apply administrative and legal procedures used for aquatic organism mortality events and water pollution abatement.

• Ability to operate field survey equipment such as electrofishing equipment, seines, nets, and small boats.

• Ability to use the scientific technical writing format in reports and papers, including graphical and tabular representation of data.

• Ability to translate technical biological reports and presentations on a variety of fish-related issues into easily understood terms and presentations to various audiences.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific data and reports.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year of experience as a Fisheries Biologist 2, PFBC (commonwealth title);

or

• Two years of professional experience conducting fish studies, fish investigations, or fish research and a bachelor’s degree in a biological science that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in fish biology, fisheries management, fish population dynamics, ichthyology, limnology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed ecology and management, wetland ecology and management, herpetology, freshwater entomology, fish culture, fish physiology, fish pathology, biometrics, or other courses closely related to fisheries science or aquatic ecology.

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 college credits in fish biology, fisheries management, fish population dynamics, ichthyology, limnology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed ecology and management, wetland ecology and management, herpetology, freshwater entomology, fish culture, fish physiology, fish pathology, biometrics, or other courses closely related to fisheries science or aquatic ecology.