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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00055123 |
Description Activated On: 8/11/2026 1:27:43 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. The primary purpose of this position is to analyze hatchery source water and hatchery discharge water by the detection, quantitation and characterization of parameters as applicable to the Commission’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The position’s contribution to the organization’s objectives involves the assurance that the Commission is meeting the required NPDES permit standards and regulations. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Work Involving Water Quality Lab Duties Relating to Fish Hatchery Water Samples. *Log in water samples, preserve water samples, complete water sample bench sheets and complete 3rd party laboratory chain of custody’s (COC). *Replace water sample bottles, place bottles in shipping containers, replace damaged ice packs and/or shipping containers, and send back to hatcheries. *Conduct water sample analyses in an appropriate time frame according to standard method procedures and DEP requirements that could include pH, CBOD-5, BOD-5, Total Suspended solids, Total and dissolved phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, Chloride and formaldehyde. *Prepare and record chemical standards, buffers, and chemical reagents as required. *Calculate results and record in water sample bench sheets. Update electronic water quality data files (in Excel) for all fish hatcheries. *Immediately inform supervisor if NPDES permit standards are exceeded (or close to being exceeded) or for any non-compliance issues. *Maintain and/or calibrate lab equipment that includes but is not limited too; dissolved oxygen meters, water still, laboratory dish washer, drying oven, refrigerators, incubator, vacuum hoods, vacuum pumps, automatic pipet, water sample heaters and stirrers, Mettler balance, spectrophometer (Genesys 30), and 24- hour composite water samplers. *Hand wash glassware and clean lab working areas. *Maintain a safe working environment, which includes proper use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). *Maintain a chemical inventory, including chemical waste disposal. *Communicate effectively with hatchery personnel and unit leader to ensure a successful NPDES water sample collection and reporting program. *Provide guidance regarding water sample collection and preservation to hatchery personnel. *Provide guidance regarding 24-hour composite sample collection and maintenance of 24-hour composite water samplers to hatchery personnel and repairs, if necessary. *Develop and maintain instruction manuals for programming autosamplers. Update instruction manuals when PFBC purchases new models or when sampling procedures change to maintain NPDES permit compliance. *Trains and serves as the lead worker over the WQU Fisheries Biologist Aide. *Assists in the implementation of new methods and procedures or the conduct of special projects. *Analyze and interpret SFH water quality data to report trends in facility discharge and provide guidance to SFH staff for NPDES permit compliance. *Achieve and maintain lab accreditation by analyzing annual Proficiency Test samples. *Periodically, reports electronic Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMR) for all SFHs as needed to ensure discharge permit compliance. This includes compiling and interpreting water quality data, report writing, and submitting required documentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), using required forms and agency's website. *Attend monthly Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery safety meetings. *Post NPDES violation or non-compliance event water quality data collection and interpretation. Using data collected, interpret and write a report summarizing the event, which is submitted to DEP. *Attend NPDES draft permit meetings, analyze and interpret historical water quality data to make recommendations to SFH staff for draft development and interpretation. *Attend DEP lab inspections, answer inspector questions, and provide requested documentation. *Travel as needed to troubleshoot 24-hour auto samplers and other possible needs of Hatcheries. *Travel as needed for SFH chemical room inspections and provide Right to Know chemical safety training to SFH staff. *Travel as needed to present water quality information at PFBC Fish Culture School. *Attend meetings in place of the Water Quality Unit Leader as needed. Work Involving General Office Duties 1) Submit Time and Activity reports. 2) Submit Leave Requests as required. Enter leave time, meeting dates, appointments, and out-of-office periods to your MS Outlook Calendar as required. 3) Maintain fish hatchery water quality data reference files (paper and electronic). 4) Attend update training as required. 5) Complete monthly Water Quality Lab Report and Discharge monitoring Reports, if required. Performs related duties as required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. In response to a scheduling conflict, instruct hatcheries to change the date of water sample collection. In response to an NPDES permit violation, instruct hatcheries to collect additional water samples. In response to equipment failure, instruct hatcheries to maintain equipment or purchase new equipment. In response to lost samples, instruct hatchery staff on further sampling or on the delivery of sample. In response to extraction issues, researchers to find the issue and resolve it. Decides on how to train new FBAs. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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