Aquatic Biologist 2

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Williamsport (Lycoming County); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

Vacation Time

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Sick Time

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks an Aquatic Biologist 2 to protect waterways through scientific review and field investigations. You will evaluate permit applications, study aquatic habitats, and support environmental decisions across the region.

This full-time position in Williamsport offers telework part-time up to three days per week, an 8:00–4:00 schedule, and a starting salary of $60,538.00.

Qualifications

• One year as an Aquatic Biologist 1 or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor's degree in biological, natural, environmental science or natural resource management with related coursework.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training with specific aquatic science coursework.

Responsibilities

• Permit review of water obstructions and encroachments and assess environmental impacts.
• Conduct wetland surveys and evaluate aquatic habitats; investigate complaints or violations.
• Interpret criteria and apply regulatory standards to activities and restoration plans.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies for environmental review and compliance.
• Draft deficiency letters, prepare reports, and maintain regulatory records.
• Support enforcement actions and review restoration plans.

Skills

Aquatic biology

Regulatory compliance

Environmental science

Field investigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological/Natural/Environmental science

Job description

dental insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan

United States, Pennsylvania, Williamsport

Northcentral Regional Office, Waterways and Wetlands

208 West Third Street

City

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

17701

Contact Name

Contact Email

THE POSITION

Are you driven to protect aquatic ecosystems and guide decisions that shape water resources across the region? The Aquatic Biologist 2 position with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers a chance to safeguard Pennsylvania's waterways through scientific review and field investigation. This role allows you to evaluate permit applications, study aquatic habitats, and support important environmental decisions. You will work with data, field documentation, and regulatory standards to help preserve our natural resources. Apply today for a meaningful opportunity to contribute to environmental health and public trust!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports the Waterways Engineering and Wetlands Program by reviewing environmental impacts, conducting field investigations, and evaluating regulated activities. As an Aquatic Biologist 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Permit Review: Assess applications for water obstructions and encroachments and determine environmental impacts
• Field Investigation: Conduct wetland surveys, evaluate aquatic habitats, and investigate complaints or violations
• Regulation Analysis: Interpret criteria and apply regulatory standards to proposed activities and restoration plans
• Interagency Coordination: Consult with federal, state, and local agencies to support environmental review and compliance
• Documentation Preparation: Draft deficiency letters, prepare reports, and maintain accurate regulatory records
• Compliance Support: Review restoration plans, provide guidance on violations, and participate in enforcement actions

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

WORK SCHEDULE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Williamsport. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as an Aquatic Biologist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional experience in aquatic biology or water pollution biology and a bachelor's degree with a major in a biological science, natural science, environmental science, or natural resource management, including or supplemented by six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes six college credits in freshwater aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, aquatic botany, water pollution biology, entomology, limnology, or closely related aquatic science coursework.

Special Requirement:

• All positions require possession of a valid motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.