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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00093837 |
Description Activated On: 5/6/2026 10:01:01 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 position functions as an Aquatic Biologist 1 in the Northeast Region. The position is responsible for conducting environmental reviews of permit applications for dams, water obstructions and encroachment permits in an assigned geographical area; and assists in making determinations and decisions in accordance with the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and Chapter 105 of the Department's Rules and Regulations based on interpretations, assessments, and analysis of data included in permitting information, field documentation, reference sources, and comments from other concerned agencies. Conducts and/or coordinates field investigations and ecological studies of aquatic habitat (both plant and animal) and surrounding environmental conditions, participates in biological surveys and investigations, and analyzes community structures as related to the Act and Chapter 105 for documentation to files and permitting decisions and determinations. Work is received in the form of general guidelines from a technical superior who reviews completed work for attainment of objectives in conformance with applicable rules, regulations, and Departmental policy. |
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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. Specific duties and major functions include: To assist in technical environmental analysis of specific aquatic site characteristics for dams, water obstructions, and encroachment applications as required by the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and Chapter 105 Rules and Regulations. To assemble technical environmental analysis of individual site characteristics for a record of decision for application files. To consult with interested groups and individuals concerning Departmental operations or problems. To assemble published, technical research and other available documentation to validate permit application analysis and determinations. To assist in the consultation, coordinate and advisement as required by the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, local and regional officials and members of State and Federal agencies concerning environmental evaluation and review. These agencies include but are not limited to DEP, regional and district office staff and the Bureau of State Parks, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of Land and Water Conservation, and Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, PennDOT, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the U.S. Forest Service. To assist in the investigation, documentation, analysis, and recommendation for enforcement action in regard to violations and illegal field activities in accordance with the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act. To assist in providing technical expertise and direction in relation to mitigation and restoration of illegal water obstruction and encroachment activities. To assist in the preparation of information for enforcement actions to be taken by DEP legal staff, including the preparation of Notices of Violation, Denial Letters, Orders, and other pertinent legal correspondence. To assist in the initiation, development and implementation of education and public information programs and plan and conduct meetings and seminars with State, Federal, and various county and planning agencies concerning the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of Chapter 105 Rules and Regulations in relation to environmental reviews and planning. To assist with and provide technical aquatic ecological expertise and assistance to engineers, planners, conservation agencies, municipal officials, civic groups and the general public. To assist in providing technical expertise and environmental interpretation of Chapter 105 Rules and Regulations to the regional Engineering staff. To assist in the preparation of correspondence to answer inquiries regarding environmental policies as related to Chapter 105 Rules and Regulations. To develop expertise in and use of a personal computer to procure data from the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI) and the Pennsylvania Fish and Wildlife Data Base to facilitate environmental review of permit applications. To participate in flood disaster activities under the State's Emergency Preparedness Programs or the Federal Emergency Preparedness Programs. Conduct field investigations to determine if an activity is within the jurisdiction of the applicable Act and the Rules and Regulations and to assure that permitted activities meet the conditions, plans and specifications of a permit. Prepare the required reports to document the inspections. Meet with violators and negotiate settlements of Enforcement cases in terms of corrective action or devices required and time frames for their accomplishment. Consult, coordinate and advise local and regional officials and State and Federal agencies concerning environmental evaluations and reviews as required by the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act. Represents the Department by providing program expertise at meetings of environmental and planning groups. Participate in educational and public information programs. Plan and conduct meetings and seminars with State, Federal and local agencies concerning the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and the Rules and Regulations in relation to environmental concerns and planning. Following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Reviewing permit applications and draft Record of Decision (ROD). Promotes the Department's Mission. Inputs data into eFACTS. Drafting deficiency letters with regulatory citations. Identifying issues encountered and recommends solutions to Section Chief. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties required by their 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. Supervision is provided by the Section Chief who provides assistance and/or guidance on difficult individual problems. Work is assigned by areas of expertise with instructions. The employee is responsible for establishing completion schedules, priorities, and final resolutions within established program guidelines. Work is reviewed upon completion by a professional supervisor for completeness, technical accuracy and quality. General supervision of all work for compliance with program guidelines and policy. Specific instructions are given for new policies, procedures or programs and a review is performed on all completed work for completeness, technical accuracy and quality. |
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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. 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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