PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST, EDUCATION
Education
Career Family: PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST
Principal Biologist, Education sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
The requirements come down to a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $79,844 to $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 15 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Biologist, Education appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 15 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 15 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $109,652. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (15)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of a Supervising Biologist, Education or other supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans, organizes, coordinates, performs, and supervises work relating to the development, presentation, and implementation of various educational and training programs dealing with the biological aspects and management of the State's fish and wildlife resources and its users; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Supervises, develops, and presents fish and wildlife education programs and training programs for wildlife resource users as required by legislated mandates.
- Supervises the issuance, scheduling, distribution, utilization, and maintenance of assigned supplies and equipment.
- Supervises the development of interpretive, training, and educational materials for public, program, and wildlife resource users based upon the latest technical and general environmental, training, and educational information available and legislative mandates.
- Supervises the professional and non-professional staff and volunteers assigned to the programs, including training placement and evaluation of assigned personnel.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- Provides the necessary information for federal aid documents and reports to ensure continued state and federal funding.
- Performs assigned technical and supervisory work, and reports on possible problems and impacts of actions outside the program or installation.
- Maintains contacts with fish and wildlife resource users, other agencies influencing the fish and wildlife resource (Federal, State and local), environmental groups, and educational institutions.
- Acts as a representative of the Division of Fish and Wildlife to various Federal, State, and municipal units with respect to the activities within the assigned unit.
- Reviews assignments for technical errors and compliance with office objectives, policies, and procedures.
- Supervises the work of organizations and individuals who conduct contracted studies.
- Prepares detailed correspondence.
- Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
- Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative educational, biological, and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Biological Sciences, or a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management with a major concentration in Fisheries Science and/or Wildlife Science.
Experience
Three (3) years of professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife education or training.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the principles and methods of Fisheries and Wildlife Management.
- Knowledge of the literature and activities associated with the recreational use of the fish and wildlife resources.
- Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and equipment used in the operation of educational and training programs.
- Knowledge of Federal and State codes, rules, and regulations related to the management of the State's fish and wildlife resources and habitat.
- Knowledge of the office priorities, programs, objectives, standards, and internal organizations.
- Knowledge of the Federal Aid to Wildlife programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and other agencies and with the procedures of and qualification for other funding sources such as those administered by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service and such State programs such as Green Acres.
- Knowledge of division finances and budget procedures, as well as purchasing procedures, contract requirements, developing of equipment, and allocation of funds for a specific bureau program.
- Knowledge of Civil Service regulations and current union contract stipulations.
- Ability to interpret Federal and State codes, rules, and regulations related to the management of the State's fish and wildlife resources and habitat and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to develop and conduct education programs using various media directed at providing information on the assigned administrative activities to the general public, special interest groups, and other government agencies.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative biological, educational, and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
- Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in Wildlife or Fisheries Management, Education, or other related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
Appointees must meet all the legal requirements necessary to be issued a State of New Jersey Firearms Purchasers I.D. card.