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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00085295 |
Description Activated On: 9/8/2026 9:16:45 AM |
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. This is a first level position in aquatic biology that focuses on the suppression of nuisance black flies to achieve tolerable conditions for public health and recreation in the Vector Management Program. This position involves routine collections of black fly larvae and adults, spray operations, and biological surveys of non-target organisms in treated waterways in coordination with the supervisor. |
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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. This position assists in the planning, development and implementation of the Black Fly Suppression Program, headquartered in the Northcentral Regional Office, to evaluate and maintain suppression activities in the West Branch Susquehanna River Contract and other assigned areas. This position may require extended overnight travel and work in high-risk environments such as active arbovirus zones, sewage treatment plants, or waterways. Surveillance & Sampling Samples streams and rivers for black fly larvae as well as collecting terrestrial sampling of black fly adults as assigned by the Program Aquatic Biologist Supervisor. Reviews species, abundance, and life stage of black fly taxonomic data to inform program assessments and pest control decisions. Assist with planning and implementation of surveillance, sampling, and treatment operations to control black fly populations. Includes the collection of larvae and evaluating post treatment effectiveness. Assist with the preparation of summary reports of surveillance and treatment operations and enters data into the Vector Management Database. Maintain thorough and accurate records of all sampling and spray operation data ensuring program goals are met and spray operations stay within budgetary restraints. Investigate and respond in a timely manner to all public complaints filed by phone, email, or through the Black Fly Complaint System on the public website. Conduct aquatic biological sampling (i.e., fish, macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants, and plankton) utilizing DEP standardized biological field methods. Conduct reconnaissance work to locate non-target macroinvertebrate sampling sites on all treated streams assigned by the Aquatic Biologist Supervisor. Conduct field and laboratory examinations of biological samples which include the identification, quantification, and classification of organisms utilizing a microscope and dichotomous keys to identify macroinvertebrates and fish to the lowest practical taxonomic level. Conduct field chemistry measurements and collect water samples for laboratory analysis. Maintains and properly uses field, laboratory, and safety equipment, and vehicles. Safely handles any hazardous sample collection materials such as 95% ethanol and dry ice. Records, enters, and maintains field data and sampling information accurately in prescribed formats and internal databases for program analysis and assessment. Conduct field sampling for the Tick Surveillance Program utilizing appropriate sampling methodologies and equipment. Analysis and Data Interpretation/Reporting Interprets biological data and calculates biological indices and metrics. Assist with the preparation of yearly reports on findings of non-target macroinvertebrate sampling efforts. Develop GIS layers and maps to identify black fly collection and treatment locations, and non-target sampling locations for surveys and reports. Disseminates data to other field or program staff for integration of work results. Pesticide Application and Assessment Assists in identifying spray locations and conducts or directs pesticide larval control operations to reduce nuisance black fly populations. Performs continuous evaluation of post-treatment efficacy and adjusts accordingly in compliance with program protocols. Operational Program Duties To maintain program operations and development, an employee in this position will: Learn and apply scientific principles and reference materials required to perform assigned tasks. Coordinate daily activities of interns and other field staff during sampling operations. Contribute to development of activities and initiatives within the program. Implement agency and Bureau initiatives with flexibility and professionalism. Assist with responses from media and legislative inquiries regarding the Black Fly Suppression Program. Work collaboratively and effectively with vector management personnel to respond to program inquiries and responses to investigative studies of black fly activity and population suppression strategies in the environment. Departmental Duties 1.Promotes and exemplifies the Department's Mission, Vision, and Values in all aspects of work performance and professional conduct. 2.Advances DEP's strategic priorities through collaboration, commitment to data-driven decision-making, delivery of high-quality customer service, and active participation in modernization and continuous improvement initiatives. 3.Inputs, maintains, and updates data in prescribed formats to meet data quality standards established through guidance, training, policy, and procedure across all DEP electronic data systems. Responsibilities include ensuring the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and integrity of all entries, as well as utilizing available system tools and validation processes to minimize duplicate records and data quality issues. 4.Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance, and training requirements related to assigned duties and DEP electronic data systems. 5.In conjunction with the supervisor, participates in knowledge management and knowledge transfer efforts by identifying key aspects of assigned duties and proactively sharing knowledge with other employees to support continuity of operations and organizational effectiveness. 6.Develops, maintains, and annually updates a comprehensive desk manual documenting essential duties, standard operating procedures, workflows, system processes, key contacts, reference materials, and other critical operational information necessary to support continuity of operations and effective knowledge transfer. Employees are responsible for ensuring desk manuals remain accurate, current, and accessible in accordance with Department requirements. This job description in no way states nor implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instruction and perform any other tasks requested by the supervisor. |
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. Any work activity that may involve high level policy changes/interpretation, media or collaborator inquiries, and large-scale program decisions should be directed to employee's supervisor or chain of command. |
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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: Obtain and maintain a PA Department of Agriculture Category 16 Public Pesticide Applicator License (Invertebrate Public Health) within 6 months of employment. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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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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