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2483 BIOLOGIST I/II (Deep Class)
Limnology Specialty

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A.
The current position is located at San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.  The eligible list resulting from this examination may be utilized for future positions in this class in other City departments.

A Biologist I/II in the Limnology Section under general supervision, conducts field monitoring studies to evaluate environmental conditions in freshwater ecosystems; uses a hydrolab water quality instrument to collect and store field data collected in reservoirs; keeps detailed and accurate field and analytical records; uses a laboratory information management system to track, control and report data as necessary; prepares summary reports describing the results of applied research to achieve the goals of the bureau.
 
Essential functions for the Limnology specialty includes: conducting routine reservoir monitoring  surveys consisting of biological, physical, and chemical parameters and participating in freshwater stream assessment studies.  Collecting and analyzing tributary and reservoir samples to determine the impact of internal and external nutrient loading and working in the field and operating a small boat on SFPUC reservoirs.  The incumbent will conduct field sampling in an efficient and safe manner, and be expected to be able to enumerate and identify reservoir phytoplankton species.    In this case the skill set needed to perform the job functions described above requires that the candidate demonstrate both technical and physical capabilities in addition to the ability to make field decisions that require judgment and maturity while operating a sampling vessel on SFPUC reservoirs.  Scientific and safety factors need to be weighed under various circumstances encountered in the field.

The Biologist I/II works under the general supervision of a Supervising Biologist and may assist the Biologist III in non-routine work and special projects.  Positions at the journey level do not supervise other professional employees, but may coordinate the work of technical personnel (Water Quality Technician I/II and III).  The annual salary is $64,272 - $90,454.

Working conditions:
This position requires a driver’s license.  The incumbent may be required to drive to remote locations on mountain roads in snowy, icy or rainy conditions.  The incumbent may have little or no advance notice for fieldwork and may be required to work occasional weekends, shifts and overtime work.  The nature of work may involve working in the field and forests of SFPUC reservoir watersheds, in inclement weather, on monitoring vessels in lakes, San Francisco Bay or the Pacific Ocean, with mechanical/electrical equipment, and hazardous materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Biologist I
1. Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental biology, marine biology, aquatic biology, wildlife biology, fisheries biology, limnology, or closely related science; AND
2. Possession of a valid driver's license. 

Biologist II
1. Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental biology, marine biology, aquatic biology, wildlife biology, fisheries biology, limnology, aquatic toxicology, or closely related science; AND
2. Two years of experience identifying freshwater plankton; AND
3. Possession of a current, valid driver's license.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are being accepted through an online process only. Visit www.jobaps.com/sf to begin the application process by registering an account.
• Click and select the desired job announcement
• Click on “Apply” and read and acknowledge the information
• Click on “I am a New User”
• Follow instructions given on the screen

Computer kiosks are located in the lobby of the Department of Human Resources, One South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, for use by the public. The hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Receipt of applications will close, February 12, 2010. 

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst

VERIFICATION:
1. Verification of experience/education may be required at later date. If verification is required, failure to provide it may result in disqualification from the selection process.

2. All statements made on the application or subsequent documents required under this examination are subject to verification.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:                                                                            
TRAINING/EXPERIENCE EVALUATION (WEIGHT = 100%)
Candidates’ training and experience will be evaluated and rated in terms of its duration and relevance to job-related knowledge, skills and abilities for placement on the eligible list.  The department may administer additional selection procedures upon certification in order to make a final hiring decision.

Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.

Certification Rule: The certification rule used to certify eligibles from this list will be Rule of List.  The hiring department may administer additional selection procedures before making a final hiring decision.

Eligible List:  The eligible list resulting from this examination is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

The Human Resources Director may approve use of the eligible list resulting from this selection process to make permanent Civil Service appointments to other position(s) involving the same or similar title in any department.

Veteran’s Preference:  Information regarding requests for veteran’s preference can be found at: http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=21

General Information concerning City and County of San Francisco Employment Policies and Procedures:
Important Employment Information for the City and County of San Francisco can be obtained at http://www.sfgov.org/site/sfdhr_page.asp?id=46208 or hard copy at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor

Terms of Announcement:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at www.jobaps.com/sf.

Right to Work:
All persons entering the City and County of San Francisco workforce are required to provide verification of authorization to work in the United States.

Notes:
1. Applicants are advised to keep copies of all documents submitted. Submitted documents become a permanent part of the exam record and will not be returned. The department may require applicants to present additional material at the time of appointment and/or at a later date.
2. Information on requesting reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities can be found at http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=21. Applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation for this process must contact the analyst by phone (415) 554-1660 (voice) or if hearing impaired, (415) 554-1672 (TDD) or in writing addressed to SFPUC Personnel, 1155 Market Street, 8th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 as soon as possible.
3. Position Based Tests are administered in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A. General information concerning City and County of San Francisco employment policies and procedures may be found in the pamphlet entitled “Important Employment Information for Position Based Testing”. This information is part of the terms of this announcement. The pamphlet is available at the Department of Human Resources Information Center, One South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco or online at http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=24.
4. The job description and minimum qualifications specified on this announcement are appealable to the Civil Service Commission. Appeals of these provisions must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date. Refer to Civil Service Commission Rule 111A, Article VIII.
5. All other provisions of this announcement except for the Certification Rule are appealable to the Human Resources Director. Appeals of these provisions must be filed within five business days with the examination analyst listed on this announcement.    
6. Per Civil Service Rule 111A.26.5, the Human Resources Director may approve the use of the eligible list resulting from this examination for Permanent Civil Service appointments to other positions in the same or similar classes.

Issued:  January 26, 2010        
Announcement No.: 055910  

Micki Callahan
DirectorDepartment of Human Resources
Team:  PUC/QS (415) 554-1660      

COMBINED ENTRANCE AND PROMOTIVE/2483

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