Biologist 1 (Marine) / Trainee 1 and 2-NY HELPS
Environmental Conservation - Stony Brook, NY
posted 5 months ago
About the position
The Biologist 1 (Marine) / Trainee 1 and 2 position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). This role is designed to be filled via a non-competitive appointment, meaning that candidates do not need to take an examination but must meet the minimum qualifications for the title. Employees hired under this program will have their non-competitive status converted to competitive status within a year, allowing them to participate in promotion examinations for which they qualify. This position involves a variety of responsibilities related to marine biology, particularly focusing on regulatory reviews, compliance inspections, and public interactions regarding marine and tidal wetland projects. The successful candidate will perform regulatory reviews of permit applications for construction, remediation, and habitat enhancement projects in and around protected tidal wetlands. This includes conducting field inspections to confirm tidal wetland delineations and performing compliance inspections of permitted projects or enforcement cases. The role also requires providing testimony at permit hearings, enforcement hearings, and compliance conferences, necessitating strong communication skills for effective interaction with government officials, the public, and contractors. The work environment may involve challenging conditions, including remote areas and adverse weather, and may require physical activity in tidal waters exceeding six feet in depth. Candidates must be prepared for potential confrontational circumstances and should be capable of lifting and moving objects up to 50 pounds. The position offers a work-life balance and a comprehensive benefits package, which is valued at 65% of the salary, including holiday and paid time off, public service loan forgiveness, and affordable health care options. Telecommuting may be available, and discussions regarding this will occur during the interview process.
Responsibilities
- Perform regulatory reviews of permit applications for construction, remediation, and habitat enhancement projects in and/or near protected tidal wetlands.
- Conduct and/or confirm tidal wetland delineations during field inspections.
- Perform compliance inspections of permitted projects and/or enforcement cases.
- Provide testimony at permit hearings, enforcement hearings, and compliance conferences.
- Maintain frequent contact with government officials, the public, consultants, and contractors on proposed projects and/or violation investigations.
- Work may require activity in, on, and/or above tidal waters which may exceed 6' in depth.
Requirements
- A bachelor's or higher degree including or supplemented by 18 semester credit hours in relevant marine biology subjects such as algal ecology, biological oceanography, marine conservation, and marine ecology.
- Good communication skills for interactions with the public and providing testimony at hearings.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in regulatory reviews and compliance inspections.
- Familiarity with tidal wetlands and marine ecosystems.
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Pension from New York State Employees' Retirement System
- Affordable Health Care options
- Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
- NYS Deferred Compensation plan
- Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
