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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50663743 |
Description Activated On: 4/8/2026 2:34:25 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. This position functions as an Aquatic Biologist 2 in the South-central Region’s Dam Safety, Waterways & Wetlands Section within the Waterways and Wetlands Program in collaboration with guidance from the Bureau of Clean Water. It is responsible for implementing environmental program procedures; conducting environmental reviews of applications for dams, water obstructions & encroachment permits in the south-central region; and 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 all under the supervision of the Water Quality Specialist Supervisor. This position is also responsible for the management of Clean Water infrastructure projects funded by State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This position involves environmental review as required for implementing the statewide programs on waterway management mandated by the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act, the Clean Streams Law, and the Flood Plan Management Act. This position also includes work related to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Loan Fund administered by DEP and PENNVEST. It will provide support to potential SRF applicants to bolster BIL opportunities for project funding. This position will be responsible for the previously described work within multiple regions as workload dictates and work is assigned. May provide administrative and technical guidance to lower level/less experienced employees. The Aquatic Biologist may be assigned a specific geographic area and is responsible for accomplishing the following major duties and functions within those counties. |
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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. Conduct independent environmental review of Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit applications in accordance with the Dam Safety Encroachment Act and Chapter 105 rules and regulations, including individual site characteristics, investigations, and written reports from other state and federal agencies. Evaluate wetland delineation reports, environmental assessments, mitigation plans, and restoration proposals submitted with permit applications. Prepare written record of decision summarizing results of environmental technical review and provide recommendations for permit issuance or denial to Water Quality Specialist Supervisor and Section Chief based on the conclusions. Demonstrate and maintain knowledge of the United States Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Manual for Wetland Identification and the regional supplements that apply to the Southcentral Region, including but not limited to knowledge in the identification of hydrophytic plants, hydric soils characteristic and hydrologic indicators of wetland areas. Demonstrate knowledge in identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians and reptiles and understanding their relation to water quality and overall health of aquatic environments. Participate in field investigations, biological surveys and ecological studies of aquatic habitat and surrounding environmental conditions to analyze their relation to the water quality and overall health of aquatic environments. Participate in and schedule pre-application meetings in order to best assist the regulated community in complying with the Rules and Regulations. Conduct investigations to determine compliance with Water Obstruction & Encroachment Permit conditions. Conduct follow-up investigations at sites where wetland and/or stream mitigation was required and provides a detailed written report on the condition of the site. Conduct complaint investigations and work toward obtaining voluntary compliance in responding to complaints regarding violations of the applicable Acts and Rules and Regulations. Participate in administrative enforcement conferences scheduled by compliance specialist, as needed. Serve as witness to provide testimony before District Magistrate, Environmental Hearing Board, and the courts. Provide environmental interpretation of Chapter 105 rules and regulations to the regional engineering staff. Provide training to Department and other agency staff on Chapter 105 topics and regulated waters of the Commonwealth. Cooperate with conservation agencies and educational institutions. Respond verbally or in writing to general inquiries regarding regulated waters of the Commonwealth and Chapter 105permitting. Input necessary data into Departmental tracking systems to accurately reflect work performed during specified time periods. Attend training courses in related scientific specialties to improve technical competence. Specific duties and major functions related to PENNVEST include: -Attends and participates in PENNVEST Planning Consultation Meetings and pre-application meetings to discuss potential PENNVEST projects. These meetings are held in Harrisburg or at designated sites. -Attends and participates in pre-application field views and review associated plans for project sites. -Understand and follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that pertain to PENNVEST Project Management. Work will be assigned under the direction of the regional Clean Water Environmental Engineering Manager in collaboration with the Bureau of Clean Water Management. -Provide technical assistance for environmental consultation and regulatory guidance related to SRF funding, PENNVEST application process, permit application review, proposed treatment, innovative technology, operation & maintenance, regulatory requirements, treatment techniques, and standards to the regulated community, public, and public officials. -Meet with PENNVEST staff and potential project applicants to provide an overview of the requirements for making a funding application. -Schedule and facilitate quarterly meetings with compliance and enforcement staff in the regional water programs to facilitate funding. -Maintain communication with potential applicants to facilitate application submittal. -Work with PENNVEST staff and regulated community to bolster opportunities for SRF funding. -Attend PENNVEST outreach and information sessions to help market the SRF funding. -Prepare the PENNVEST project ranking for each project application submitted. -Review the project plans and specifications for conformance with funding requirements. -Review and sign off on application technical components. -Participate in project rating and review committee meetings. -Ensure applications and funded projects are in compliance with federal and state requirements. -Provide environmental oversight of funded PENNVEST projects by following the established SOPs. Duties include: *Review of construction schedules for reasonableness and implementability *Review of contract change orders to determine reasonableness of cost, eligibility, and environmental soundness. *Review of contract change order to ensure no further permitting is required. *Review of contract change order to ensure administrative completeness of submittal. *Conduct quarterly (minimum) site inspections during construction phase of each project. *Conduct final inspection to ensure project was constructed as permitted and designed. *Complete comprehensive review and evaluations of project files to ensure documentation of consistent implementation of the PENNVEST Program and compliance with federal and state program requirements. Promotes the Department’s mission. Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested 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. Work is received in the form of general guidelines from the Water Quality Specialist Supervisor and is performed with considerable independence of action and latitude of judgment. The employee is responsible for establishing completion schedules, priorities and final resolutions within established program guidelines. Work is reviewed upon completion by the immediate supervisor for completeness, technical accuracy and quality. The supervisor reviews completed work for attainment of objectives and conformance with applicable rules, regulations, and Departmental policy before forwarding to the Section Chief for permit issuance or denial. The Section Chief, the program staff in Harrisburg, and other staff in the Region may be consulted whenever major issues or very complex technical questions are raised. Major work assignments are briefly reviewed by the Water Quality Specialist Supervisor and if necessary, the Section Chief for adherence to environmental standards and administrative approach and for compliance with program requirements. |
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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. Real ID or Equivalent 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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