Biologist 1 (Ecology) / Trainee 1 and 2 - NY HELPS

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Non-Competitive qualifications:
A bachelor's or higher degree including or supplemented by with 18 semester credit hours in aquatic ecosystem restoration and enhancement, behavior of fish, behavior of wildlife, behavioral ecology, biology of fish, biology of wildlife, biostatistics, biomonitoring, conservation biology, conservation ecology, community ecology, community dynamics, ecological data analysis, ecological modeling and design, ecological risk assessment, ecology, ecology and management of invasive species, ecology of fish, ecology of freshwater or marine organisms, ecology of freshwater wetlands, ecology of wildlife, ecology of plants, ecology of habitats, ecosystems, ecotoxicology, environmental contamination, environmental toxicology, endangered species, entomology, environmental impact analysis, environmental impact assessment, forest ecology, fisheries management, habitat analysis, habitat geographic information system (GIS) analysis, habitat protection, habitat quality, habitat evaluation, habitat management, habitat restoration, herpetology, hydrogeomorphology, hydrobiology, hydrology, ichthyology, limnology, mammalian ecology, mammalogy, management of habitats management of populations, marine ecology, mycorrhizal ecology, ornithology, plant ecology, population dynamics, population ecology, population management, population analysis, restoration and management, research in ecology, statistics in ecology, stream resource protection, systems ecology, urban wildlife, urban habitats, watershed-based conservation, watershed-based management, wetland resources, wetland restoration, wetland science, wetland and stream resources, or wildlife management.

Examples of Non-qualifying Courses: agriculture or domestic animal specialties, climate change, earth science, dendrology, environmental ethics, environmental planning, evolution, extinction, forest or forestry resources management, human population dynamics, human ecology, oceanography, silvicultural, taxonomy, water pollution control.
Competitive qualifications:
Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC
or

Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis.
or

Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 11 or higher and either:
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications - listed below;
or

Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as a Fish and Wildlife Technician 2, Fish and Wildlife Technician 3. Biologist 1 Aquatic, Biologist 1 Ecology, Biologist 1 Marine or Biologist 1 Wildlife.

55-b/55-c Candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below and include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55-b/55-c program.

Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates and 70.4 transfer eligibles):
A bachelor's or higher degree including or supplemented by with 18 semester credit hours in aquatic ecosystem restoration and enhancement, behavior of fish, behavior of wildlife, behavioral ecology, biology of fish, biology of wildlife, biostatistics, biomonitoring, conservation biology, conservation ecology, community ecology, community dynamics, ecological data analysis, ecological modeling and design, ecological risk assessment, ecology, ecology and management of invasive species, ecology of fish, ecology of freshwater or marine organisms, ecology of freshwater wetlands, ecology of wildlife, ecology of plants, ecology of habitats, ecosystems, ecotoxicology, environmental contamination, environmental toxicology, endangered species, entomology, environmental impact analysis, environmental impact assessment, forest ecology, fisheries management, habitat analysis, habitat geographic information system (GIS) analysis, habitat protection, habitat quality, habitat evaluation, habitat management, habitat restoration, herpetology, hydrogeomorphology, hydrobiology, hydrology, ichthyology, limnology, mammalian ecology, mammalogy, management of habitats management of populations, marine ecology, mycorrhizal ecology, ornithology, plant ecology, population dynamics, population ecology, population management, population analysis, restoration and management, research in ecology, statistics in ecology, stream resource protection, systems ecology, urban wildlife, urban habitats, watershed-based conservation, watershed-based management, wetland resources, wetland restoration, wetland science, wetland and stream resources, or wildlife management.

Examples of Non-qualifying Courses: agriculture or domestic animal specialties, climate change, earth science, dendrology, environmental ethics, environmental planning, evolution, extinction, forest or forestry resources management, human population dynamics, human ecology, oceanography, silvicultural, taxonomy, water pollution control.

Duties and Responsibilities
Biologist will participate with the coordination and review of Article 15 Protection of Water and Article 24 Wetland Protection programs for the 11-county area of DEC Region 8.
Article 15 responsibility: review of and comment on regulatory permits for Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, and protected streams throughout the Region. Determination of mean high-water levels using appropriate equipment and field observations. Coordination of enforcement activities with the Division of Law Enforcement (Environmental Conservation Police) and the Office of General Council. Duties include review and provide remedial plans, Conduct permit condition and/or enforcement compliance inspection.
Article 24 Responsibility include conducting wetland field inspections and prepare site or project specific reports, conduct wetland delineations, and prepare wetland delineation reports. Review of wetland delineations submit for approval. Coordination of site visits with applicants and/or the US Army Corps of Engineers. Incumbent will review permit applications for compliance with Article 24 and the associated regulations. Coordination of enforcement activities with the Division of Law Enforcement (Environmental Conservation Police) and the Office of General Council. review and provide remedial plans, Conduct permit condition and/or enforcement compliance inspection.
Other duties will involve freshwater mussel study and relocation plan review, and freshwater mussel identification, respond to public and internal question/request for information regarding natural resources and regulatory information. Provide information on invasive species, threatened and endangered species, and species of special concern. Incumbent may provide direction and guidance to region 8 Fish and Wildlife Technicians and interns, will assist with unit work planning and annual reporting, and other duties as assigned.