SPEC: BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) CALIFORNIA STATE PERSONNEL BOARD SPECIFICATION BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) Series Specification (Established January 12, 1993) SCOPE This series specification describes two levels of Biologist classes (Various Classes), used primarily in the Department of Fish and Game in the management of California's natural resources. Incumbents perform a broad range of technical biological work which focuses on a variety of research and management programs relating to resource conservation, management and restoration. Using accepted scientific methodology, incumbents in the series lead or conduct experiments, research studies or investigations; evaluate and make recommendations on proposed developments for impact on resources; evaluate user impacts on resources and recommend or implement appropriate regulatory action; evaluate and make recommendations on habitat improvement projects; analyze data; write technical and popular reports; prepare written responses to public letters; represent the Department before resource interest groups, boards, commissions and public hearings; attend professional meetings and conferences; may perform scuba diving; and evaluate, review, analyze or prepare legislation related to resource management. Schem Class Code Code Class BP10 6366 Biologist (General) BP11 6371 Biologist (Botany) BP12 6372 Biologist (Marine/Fisheries) BP13 0898 Biologist (Wildlife) BP14 6373 Associate Biologist (General) BP15 6374 Associate Biologist (Botany) BP16 6375 Associate Biologist (Marine/Fisheries) BP17 0897 Associate Biologist (Wildlife) ENTRY LEVEL Entry into this series is typically at the level of Biologist (Various Classes), Range A. FACTORS AFFECTING POSITION ALLOCATION Level, variety, and complexity of assigned work; independence of action and decision; sector of geographic responsibility; degree of interagency and public contact; degree of supervision received and technical direction exercised or received; administrative responsibilities; extent of impact on statewide programs, impact of decisions on departmental programs, consequence of error, degree of program, and policy development. DEFINITION OF LEVELS BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) This is the entry (Range A) and intermediate (Range B) working level of the series. Under close/general supervision, incumbents plan, organize and conduct routine biological projects or phases of a complex biological project, study or investigation. May work under the direction of an Associate-level Biologist and may lead the work of seasonal assistants. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) This is the full journey and lead level of the series. Incumbents, under general direction: (a) May direct the work of one or more entry-level Biologists. (b) May direct or perform the most difficult biological or environmental studies or investigations. (c) May be in charge of biological activities encompassing several management units. DEFINITION OF PARENTHETICAL SPECIALTIES GENERAL Incumbents in this parenthetical specialty perform technical biological work involving multiple species and/or habitats. The biological or ecological activities typically include two or more resource categories involving biological surveys or investigations, assessing projects or developments for impacts on the resources, and the preparation and evaluation of resource habitat development, restoration or management plans. BOTANY Incumbents in this parenthetical specialty perform technical biological work related to native plant management. Native plant activities involve biological surveys on California's indigenous flora, assessing proposed developments for impact on plant life and related resources, and the preparation and evaluation of plant habitat restoration or management plans. MARINE/FISHERIES Incumbents in this parenthetical specialty perform technical biological work related to fisheries management or research activities. This typically involves biological surveys focusing on aquatic fauna or flora, including marine or freshwater and anadromous species, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates; assessing commercial and sport fishing impact on fisheries and related resources or analyzing stream flow releases and storage waters; and the preparation and evaluation of fisheries or aquatic fauna or flora habitat development, restoration or management plans on California's offshore, coastal, inland waters and estuaries. WILDLIFE Incumbents in this parenthetical specialty perform technical biological work related to wildlife management. This typically involves biological surveys or investigations on California's mammalian terrestrial and avian fauna; assessing proposed developments for impact on wildlife and related resources; and the preparation and evaluation of wildlife habitat development, restoration or management plans. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ALL CLASSES: The following educational requirements are part of the "Minimum Qualifications" for all classes in the series. Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college, or equivalent degree, certificate or diploma approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of the California Education Code, Section 94310, with specialization in zoology, botany, fishery biology, conservation biology, herpetology, marine biology, wildlife management, or a closely related biological field. BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) Education indicated above. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (GENERAL) Either I One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties equivalent to those of a Biologist (General), Range B. Or II Three years of increasingly responsible biological experience involving multiple species and/or habitats. One year of this experience must be equivalent in level to planning, leading and performing technical biological work in connection with a major field activity. [Experience in California state service applied toward this one-year requirement must be equivalent in level to a Biologist (General), Range B.] (Possession of a Doctorate Degree in Zoology, Botany, Fishery Biology, Conservation Biology, Herpetology, Marine Biology, Wildlife Management or a similar biological science may be substituted for the required experience; possession of a master's degree may be substituted for two years of the required general experience; candidates who are within one year of receiving their doctorate or master's degree may be admitted to the exam, but must receive the degree before they are eligible for appointment, if the advanced degree was counted toward meeting the experience requirements.) ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (BOTANY) Either I One year of experience in California state service performing the duties equivalent to those of a Biologist (Botany), Range B. Or II Three years of increasingly responsible native plant management or research experience. One year of this experience must be equivalent in level to planning, leading and performing technical biological work in connection with a major native plant field activity or management program. [Experience in California state service applied toward this one-year requirement must be equivalent in level to a Biologist (Botany), Range B.] (Possession of a Doctorate Degree in Botany or a similar biological science may be substituted for the required experience; possession of a master's degree may be substituted for two years of the required general experience; candidates who are within one year of receiving their doctorate or master's degree may be admitted to the exam, but must receive the degree before they are eligible for appointment, if the advanced degree was counted toward meeting the experience requirements.) ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (MARINE/FISHERIES) Either I One year of experience in California state service performing the duties equivalent to those of a Biologist (Marine/Fisheries), Range B. Or II Three years of increasingly responsible fishery research management experience. One year of this experience must be equivalent in level to carrying out a major segment of a broad and complex fishery research study or management program. [Experience in California state service applied toward this one-year requirement must be equivalent in level to a Biologist (Marine/ Fisheries), Range B.] (Possession of a Doctorate Degree in Fishery or Marine Biology or similar biological science may be substituted for the required experience; possession of a master's degree may be substituted for two years of the required general experience; candidates who are within one year of receiving their doctorate or master's degree may be admitted to the exam, but must receive the degree before they are eligible for appointment, if the advanced degree was counted toward meeting the experience requirements.) ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (WILDLIFE) Either I One year of experience in California state service performing the duties equivalent to those of a Biologist (Wildlife), Range B. Or II Three years of increasingly responsible wildlife management or research experience. One year of this experience must be equivalent in level to planning, leading and performing technical biological work in connection with a major wildlife management field activity or management program. [Experience in California state service applied toward this one-year requirement must be equivalent in level to a Biologist (Wildlife), Range B.] (Possession of a Doctorate Degree in Wildlife Biology or a similar science may be substituted for the required experience; possession of a master's degree may be substituted for two years of the required general experience; candidates who are within one year of receiving their doctorate or master's degree may be admitted to the exam, but must receive the degree before they are eligible for appointment, if the advanced degree was counted toward meeting the experience requirements.) KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES BIOLOGIST (GENERAL) Knowledge of: General principles of zoology, botany, and ecology; scientific research methods and techniques involving zoology, botany, and ecology, and other related biological sciences and their application to resource conservation and management activities; fundamentals of statistics and use of statistical measures; natural and physical science relating to fish, plant and wildlife resources and their environment. BIOLOGIST (BOTANY) Knowledge of: Plant management principles and methods and their application to conservation and management conditions and problems in California; classification, ecology, and geographic distribution of California plants and the diseases by which they are affected; fundamentals of statistics and use of statistical measures; accepted techniques for making biological investigations of plants, soil and land uses; natural sciences relating to plant resources and their environment. BIOLOGIST (MARINE/FISHERIES) Knowledge of: Fishery biology and its application to problems of inland, marine or anadromous fishery conservation and management; classification, life histories, ecology, habits and geographic distribution of marine, anadromous and freshwater fishes; the parasites and diseases affecting freshwater, marine and anadromous fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates; methods, materials and equipment used in the improvement of fish habitat and fish production in inland water; statistical methods and their application to fishery research; current fisheries literature; principles of oceanography and their effects upon world fisheries. BIOLOGIST (WILDLIFE) Knowledge of: Wildlife management principles and methods and their application to conservation and management conditions and problems in California; classification, life histories, ecology, habits and geographic distribution of wildlife and the parasites and diseases by which they are affected; fundamentals of statistics and use of statistical measures; accepted techniques for making biological investigations of plant and wildlife; distribution of upland game birds; methods, materials and equipment used in wildlife habitat improvement, soil and land uses; natural and physical sciences relating to wildlife resources and their environment. BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) Ability to: Direct the work of others; plan, organize and carry out research work; analyze and evaluate data, and make recommendations based on findings; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work; prepare clear, complete, and technical accurate reports; communicate effectively. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (GENERAL) Knowledge of: All of the above listed under Biologist (General), and departmental policies relating to the conservation and restoration of California's fish, marine, plant and wildlife resources; laws and regulations relating to the conservation and restoration of fish, plant and wildlife resources in California; activities of other governmental agencies and private organizations interested in fish, plant and wildlife conservation and management. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (BOTANY) Knowledge of: All of the above listed under Biologist (Botany), and departmental policies relating to the conservation and restoration of native plants and their environment; laws and regulations relating to the conservation and restoration of plant resources in California; activities of other governmental agencies and private organizations interested in plant conservation and management. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (MARINE/FISHERIES) Knowledge of: All of the above listed under Biologist (Marine/Fisheries), and departmental policies relating to the conservation and restoration of inland, anadromous and marine fish and their environments; laws and regulations relating to the conservation and restoration of freshwater, marine and anadromous fishes, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates; activities of governmental agencies and private organizations interested in fish conservation and management; organization and practices of the Pacific Coast fishing industry. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (WILDLIFE) Knowledge of: All of the above listed under Biologist (Wildlife), and departmental policies relating to the conservation and restoration of wildlife and its environment; laws and regulations relating to the conservation and restoration of plant and wildlife resources in California; activities of other governmental agencies and private organizations interested in plant and wildlife conservation and management. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) Ability to: All of the above listed under Biologist (Various Classes), and coordinate the preparation of clear, complete and technically accurate reports; direct the work of entry-level Biologists and evaluate studies related to their impacts on California's fish, marine, plant, wildlife and related resources. SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ALL CLASSES Willingness to live and work throughout the State; willingness to work unusual hours and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; willingness to go on extended sea cruises on research vessels. ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) Academic training beyond the baccalaureate in course work related to the assessment and management of their biological specialty and knowledge of the fundamentals of surveying, mapping, land description and computer operations. ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST (VARIOUS CLASSES) Specific course work beyond that which is required in a normal four- year curriculum in the following areas: basic zoology; principles and practices of biological resource management; related biological courses (including plant, aquatic or microbiology); physical sciences (including chemistry, physics, geology or soils); quantitative sciences (including statistics, algebra, calculus, computer science, mathematical modeling); or resources policy/administration, environmental law, and land use planning. ALTERNATE RANGE CRITERIA These criteria will be used to allocate incumbents to Alternate Range A or Range B. Range A. This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for placement in Range B. Range B. This range shall apply to incumbents who have satisfactorily completed: 12 months' experience performing the duties of a Biologist (Various Classes), Range A; or two years of Biologist experience, at least one year of which must have been at least equivalent to performing technical biological work in connection with a resource research or management activity. (A Master's Degree in Botany, Fishery, Marine or Wildlife Biology, Zoology, or a closely related field may be substituted for the required experience.) CLASS HISTORY Date Date Title Class Established Revised Changed Biologist (General) 1/12/93 -- -- Biologist (Botany) 1/12/93 -- -- Biologist (Marine/Fisheries) 1/12/93 -- -- Biologist (Wildlife) 11/1/80 1/12/93 1/12/93 Associate Biologist (General) 1/12/93 -- -- Associate Biologist (Botany) 1/12/93 -- -- Associate Biologist 1/12/93 -- -- (Marine/Fisheries) Associate Biologist (Wildlife) 3/25/65 1/12/93 1/12/93