Duties Description This job title has a diverse set of responsibilities, revolving around marine fisheries, shellfisheries, marine habitat management, and fishery data and quota management. The incumbent will assume administrative, supervisory, and technical responsibilities which support the programs within the Division of Marine Resources and division outreach programs as well. Specific assignments could change based upon circumstances and the needs of the Division.
The general duties of a Marine Biologist are to carry out activities that promote the protection, management, and restoration of New York State’s marine species and these species’ habitats. More specific tasks may include the following activities:
- Participation in the collection, processing, management, and analysis of fishery harvest data and commercial fishing quota management:
Administration and oversight of commercial harvester compliance and reporting programs
Interacting with commercial fishing stakeholders
Administration of commercial fisheries reporting programs, including Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) and electronic reporting systems
Validation, quality assurance, and quality control (QA/QC) of fisheries data
Management, maintenance, and analysis of fisheries databases and information systems
Development of data summaries, reports, and analytical products to support fisheries management and quota monitoring
Administration of fishery tagging and monitoring program
May also be expected to act as a representative for New York State on Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) committees and participate in other Marine Resources programs.
- Management of marine fish and shellfish resources in State waters:
Conducting fish surveys and biological sampling programs
Management of State aquaculture programs
- Protection of public health by monitoring the sanitary status of local shellfish growing areas:
Collection of water and shellfish samples
- Providing input and analyses on the impacts of major projects on marine fisheries and habitat resources within the Marine and Coastal District, including offshore wind development, pipeline placement, and dredging.
- Participation in a variety of Division of Marine Resources program tasks:
Representing New York State on various fishery management agencies in the development of interstate fishery management plans
- Miscellaneous tasks may include:
Preparation of reports
Staff supervision
Participation in meetings
Development and maintenance of data management procedures and workflows
Responding to data requests
Aiding, as needed, in the work of other Marine Resources units
- The incumbent will be expected to undertake training that will enhance skills pertinent to job responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications 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 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 18 semester credit hours in algal ecology, apex predators, aquaculture mariculture, aquatic community ecology, biology of algae, biological oceanography, biology of commercially valuable seaweeds, biology of fishes, biology of marine plankton, biology of marine plankton ecology, biology of marine plankton physiology, biology of marine plankton taxonomy, biology and conservation of marine birds, biology and conservation of sea turtles, chemical oceanography, coastal botany, coastal ecology, coastal estuarine process, coastal oceanography, conservation and management of marine resources, conservation biology and marine biodiversity, crustacean biology and management, diseases of marine organisms, ecology of fishes, ecology, utilization and management of marine fishes, effects of powerplants, dredging, marine construction, pollutants, climate, etc., on marine biota and/or ecology, environmental microbiology, environmental toxicology and public health, estuarine processes, estuarine wetlands biology, estuarine wetlands ecology, estuarine wetlands management, experimental marine biology, field or lab method in: fisheries, marine science, marine biology, fish biology (marine), fish disease and disorders, fish physiology, fisheries economics, fisheries management, fisheries oceanography, fisheries population dynamics, fisheries science, fisheries sociology, fishery biology, fishery biology seminars, geological oceanography, ichthyology, internship in marine science, invertebrate marine zoology, laboratory method in: fisheries, marine science, marine biology, larval ecology (marine), living marine resources management seminars, long island marine habitats, long island sound science and use, management of marine fisheries, marine algal ecology, marine aquaculture mariculture, marine aquatic community ecology, marine benthos, marine biochemistry, marine geochemistry, marine biology, marine birds, marine chemistry, marine conservation, marine ecology, marine environmental toxicology, marine fish ecology, marine geology, marine invertebrates biology, marine invertebrates ecology, marine invertebrates taxonomy, marine mammals, marine microbial ecology, marine microbiology, marine operations and research, marine botany, marine phycology, marine phytoplankton ecology, marine phytoplankton biology, marine phytoplankton taxonomy, marine phytoplankton physiology, marine plankton ecology, marine plant ecology, marine wetland plant ecology, marine plan identification, marine pollution, marine productivity, marine resource management, marine science internship, marine wetlands biology, marine wetlands ecology, marine wetlands management, molluscan biology, molluscan immunology and pathology, ocean chemistry, oceanographic problem solving, physical chemical biology of marine organisms, physical oceanography, physiological ecology of marine algae, physiological ecology of marine organisms, plankton and productivity in oceans, plankton ecology, primary productivity in the sea, principals of fishery science, research/field studies in marine science, quantitative fisheries stock assessment, seagrass ecosystems, sea turtles, tidal wetlands biology, tidal wetlands ecology, tidal wetlands management, tropical marine ecology, utilization of marine fisheries, waves, tides, beaches, zooplankton biology (marine), zooplankton ecology (marine), zooplankton physiology (marine), zooplankton taxonomy (marine).
Examples of Non-Qualifying Courses: botany, freshwater aquatic biology, genetics, hydrology, limnology, microbiology, physiology, zoology.
Note: Internship Max of 4 credit hours.
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 18 semester credit hours in algal ecology, apex predators, aquaculture mariculture, aquatic community ecology, biology of algae, biological oceanography, biology of commercially valuable seaweeds, biology of fishes, biology of marine plankton, biology of marine plankton ecology, biology of marine plankton physiology, biology of marine plankton taxonomy, biology and conservation of marine birds, biology and conservation of sea turtles, chemical oceanography, coastal botany, coastal ecology, coastal estuarine process, coastal oceanography, conservation and management of marine resources, conservation biology and marine biodiversity, crustacean biology and management, diseases of marine organisms, ecology of fishes, ecology, utilization and management of marine fishes, effects of powerplants, dredging, marine construction, pollutants, climate, etc., on marine biota and/or ecology, environmental microbiology, environmental toxicology and public health, estuarine processes, estuarine wetlands biology, estuarine wetlands ecology, estuarine wetlands management, experimental marine biology, field or lab method in: fisheries, marine science, marine biology, fish biology (marine), fish disease and disorders, fish physiology, fisheries economics, fisheries management, fisheries oceanography, fisheries population dynamics, fisheries science, fisheries sociology, fishery biology, fishery biology seminars, geological oceanography, ichthyology, internship in marine science, invertebrate marine zoology, laboratory method in: fisheries, marine science, marine biology, larval ecology (marine), living marine resources management seminars, long island marine habitats, long island sound science and use, management of marine fisheries, marine algal ecology, marine aquaculture mariculture, marine aquatic community ecology, marine benthos, marine biochemistry, marine geochemistry, marine biology, marine birds, marine chemistry, marine conservation, marine ecology, marine environmental toxicology, marine fish ecology, marine geology, marine invertebrates biology, marine invertebrates ecology, marine invertebrates taxonomy, marine mammals, marine microbial ecology, marine microbiology, marine operations and research, marine botany, marine phycology, marine phytoplankton ecology, marine phytoplankton biology, marine phytoplankton taxonomy, marine phytoplankton physiology, marine plankton ecology, marine plant ecology, marine wetland plant ecology, marine plan identification, marine pollution, marine productivity, marine resource management, marine science internship, marine wetlands biology, marine wetlands ecology, marine wetlands management, molluscan biology, molluscan immunology and pathology, ocean chemistry, oceanographic problem solving, physical chemical biology of marine organisms, physical oceanography, physiological ecology of marine algae, physiological ecology of marine organisms, plankton and productivity in oceans, plankton ecology, primary productivity in the sea, principals of fishery science, research/field studies in marine science, quantitative fisheries stock assessment, seagrass ecosystems, sea turtles, tidal wetlands biology, tidal wetlands ecology, tidal wetlands management, tropical marine ecology, utilization of marine fisheries, waves, tides, beaches, zooplankton biology (marine), zooplankton ecology (marine), zooplankton physiology (marine), zooplankton taxonomy (marine).
Examples of Non-Qualifying Courses: botany, freshwater aquatic biology, genetics, hydrology, limnology, microbiology, physiology, zoology.
Note: Internship Max of 4 credit hours.
Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions.
Travel may be required.
Overnight travel may be required.
Must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, will be discussed at interview.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
- Holiday & Paid Time Off
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
- Shift & Geographic pay differentials
- 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
- And many more...
For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
