PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST, WATER RESOURCES
Career Family: PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST
Principal Biologist, Water Resources 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, Water Resources 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 direction or a Supervising Biologist, Water Resources or other supervisory officer in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans and organizes studies, surveys and investigations to evaluate the biological processes occurring in streams and other bodies of water affecting the aquatic environment and quality of public water supplies; provides consultation and performs technical work to control, prevent and abate water pollution and protect public water supplies; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Plans and organizes field and other investigations to evaluate the quality of surface waters in their biological environment.
- Conducts bioassays to determine the toxicity of wastewater and test organisms.
- Conducts laboratory and field studies of water samples collected from streams, lakes, impoundments, estuaries, ocean waters, groundwater and domestic and industrial wastewater and potable water supplies to determine water quality and the effects of pollutants upon the aquatic biota.
- Introduces specific pollutants, pesticides and other foreign and toxic substances into simulated environments to observe and evaluate their effects upon the organisms under study.
- Recommends methods of removing impurities or foreign substances from public water supplies.
- Collects, records and analyzes limnological data.
- Plans and directs the application of chemicals and other artificial means for specific control purposes on surface waters.
- Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with representatives of local, county and other agencies interested in or concerned with water pollution control and public water supplies.
- Keeps current with research and methods of water pollution control.
- Supervises the use and care of supplies and equipment used to conduct biological investigations.
- Provides guidance and instruction to professional, technical and other staff and evaluates work performance.
- Prepares reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Maintains records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems 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 or environmental sciences.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in aquatic biology or controlling public water supplies or treating wastewater.
License
Appointee may 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 methods used to plan and organize biological studies and investigations of water.
- Knowledge of the methods used to conduct studies to evaluate the quality of surface waters, wastewater and potable water supplies.
- Knowledge of the techniques used to collect water samples.
- Knowledge of wastewater and public water treatment processes.
- Ability to plan and organize biological studies of water.
- Ability to collect and evaluate water samples.
- Ability to collect and analyze data.
- Ability to provide recommendations for water pollution control and water treatment.
- Ability to provide guidance and instruction to staff and supervise their performance.
- Ability to supervise the use and care of biological equipment.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others interested or involved in the work of the unit.
- Ability to provide testimony at hearings and court.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to maintain records and files.
- Ability to learn 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 or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential duties of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to there know limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODE: 25/R25 - DJ 08/25/01
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 one of the biological or environmental sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.