STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES


CLASSIFICATION:  BIOLOGIST I

 

Class Code:  1081-21                                           Date Established:  09-01-53           

 

Occupational Code:  7-6-2                                  Date of Last Revision:  12-28-01

 

BASIC PURPOSE:  To collect and analyze biological or limnological data by performing field and laboratory work to determine environmental effects on the present and potential use of land and water areas.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·        Develops and implements long range management plans for the purpose of achieving agency long term objectives.

 

·        Prepares progress reports, including recommendations for solving specific problems relating to the agency to which the position is assigned.

 

·        Conducts field research activities, including aerial surveys and animal capture, sedation and handling which may result in exposure to occupational accidents.

 

·        Coordinates and operates field studies, including sampling, compiling and analyzing data and writing reports on surface water quality.

 

·        Conducts biological investigations of various fish and wildlife resources; confers with interested parties to consider the conservation needs of the area.

 

·        Responds to public requests for technical assistance in areas such as field habitat and population surveys, environmental impact assessments, impact mitigation, aquatic nuisances, lake restoration and protection measures.

 

·        Samples lakes, ponds and streams for physical, chemical and biological content, in order to monitor, evaluate and classify surface water.

 

·        Investigates water quality complaints and violations and helps formulate recommendations in order to protect, restore or enhance surface water quality.

 

·        Collects scientific data for research studies and manages projects such as biological check stations, waterfowl hunter bag checks and other census studies.

 

·        Speaks before groups and official gatherings as a representative of the agency to which assigned.

 

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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:

 

Skill:  Requires skill in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions OR in operating machines for a variety of different purposes.

 

Knowledge:  Requires logical or scientific expertise to resolve problems of a specialized or professional nature in a wide range of applications.

 

Impact:  Requires responsibility for contributing to immediate, ongoing agency objectives by facilitating the direct provision of services to the public or other state agencies.  Errors at this level result in inaccurate reports or invalid test results and require significant investment of time and resources to detect.

 

Supervision:  Requires partial supervision of other employees doing work which is related or similar to the supervisor, including assigning job duties, providing training, giving instructions and checking work.

Working Conditions:  Requires performing regular job functions in an environment which includes exposure to continuous physical elements or a number of disagreeable working conditions with frequent exposure to minor injuries or health hazards.

 

Physical Demands:  Requires medium work, including continuous strenuous activities such as frequent reaching, bending, or lifting as well as performing work activities which require fine manual dexterity or coordination in operating machines or equipment.

 

Communication:  Requires summarizing data, preparing reports and making recommendations based on findings which contribute to solving problems and achieving work objectives.  This level also requires presenting information for use by administrative-level managers in making decisions.

 

Complexity:  Requires coordinating a combination of diverse job functions in order to integrate professional and technical agency goals.  This level also requires considerable judgment to implement a sequence of operations or actions.

 

Independent Action:  Requires objective assessment in analyzing and developing new work methods and procedures subject to periodic review and in making decisions according to established technical, professional or administrative standards.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:  Master's degree from a recognized college or university with major study in biology, wildlife, or fisheries management, or a related biological science.  Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

 

Experience:  One year of experience in aquatic fisheries or wildlife biology, or in a field associated with the agency to which the position is assigned.  Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education at the graduate level only.

 

License/Certification:  Applicants for positions requiring field work must have or be able to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license within the probationary period.  Any additional license requirements must be specified on the supplemental job description and approved by the Division of Personnel prior to posting at the agency level.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

 

For appointment consideration, Biologist I applicants must successfully participate in a written examination measuring possession of knowledge, skills and abilities identified as necessary for satisfactory job performance by this class specification.

 

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS:  Knowledge of the principles and practices of limnology, biology or other scientific research as it relates to the field of specialization.  Knowledge of aquatic chemistry, microbiology and statistics as it relates to the study of aquatic resources.  Ability to review plans, specifications and technical documents and to make recommendations for revision.  Ability to develop and implement long-range management plans.  Ability to supervise subordinates assigned to the field of specialization.  Ability to interpret regulations and policies and explain them to the public.  Ability to keep detailed records and to prepare comprehensive project reports of a scientific value.  Ability to perform field work while exposed to a variety of climatic conditions.  Ability to communicate effectively.  Must be willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:  This class specification is descriptive of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this class title.

 


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Last Updated 05/10/02
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