Job Description

About the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division

The Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division within the Water Enterprise of the SFPUC is responsible for the management of approximately 61,000 acres of Bay Area watershed lands under SFPUC ownership as well as 150 miles of utility right-of-way. NRLM Division is responsible for managing, protecting, restoring, and monitoring the ecological resources on these lands and environmental compliance for the operations and maintenance of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System which serves 2.7 million customers. We are committed to responsible natural resources management that protects and restores viable populations of native species and maintains the integrity of the ecosystems that support them for current and future generations. We strive to become a leader in science-based and collaborative environmental stewardship in order to continue providing high-quality and reliable water supplies to our customers.

About the Positions: Under general supervision, the Biologist III plans, designs, develops, and manages, routine and non-routine biological and ecological monitoring related to restoration and mitigation projects, environmental compliance, natural resource management, and stewardship programs on San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) watershed lands. The Biologist III works independently and with other staff to evaluate environmental conditions associated with utility operations and maintain compliance with regulations and policies in support of the mission of the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division (NRLMD). The Biologist III oversees consultants and contractors; gives technical direction to staff biologists, interns, and volunteers; manages contracts and directs consultants; and may exercise supervision during the absence of the Supervising Biologist. There are two positions available:

One Biologist III position focused primarily on developing and/or overseeing projects or programs related to fisheries and aquatic resource monitoring, restoration, and management. Examples include fisheries specific monitoring (habitat; spawning; trapping; snorkeling, electrofishing, and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys); limnological monitoring of lakes, reservoirs, and other water bodies and making recommendations; monitoring to avoid impacts to special status species and habitats or sensitive resources during watershed operations and construction; and other monitoring which may include, but is not limited to, surveys for wildlife, reptiles, and amphibians.

One Biologist III focused primarily on developing and/or overseeing projects or programs related to terrestrial biology, ecology, botany, and restoration. Examples include implementing, managing, and monitoring restoration and mitigation projects; monitoring and mapping habitats and vegetation; overseeing vegetation management; monitoring rare plants, butterfly host plants, special status wildlife and nesting birds; monitoring to avoid impacts to special status species and habitats or sensitive resources during watershed operations and construction; and other monitoring which may include, but is not limited to, surveys for wildlife, reptiles, and amphibians.

Please note: The result of this eligible list may be utilized to fill multiple vacancies in various locations for the City and County of San Francisco.

Nature of Work: Fieldwork may require working in streams and rivers, on monitoring vessels in lakes, reservoirs, San Francisco Bay, and ocean with hazardous materials; and driving or hiking to remote locations on unimproved dirt or mountain roads in inclement weather. Field, laboratory, and office work may have little or no advance notice; and may be required to work overtime shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Depending on the specified area, positions assigned to each section may perform the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Oversee and manage routine biological monitoring programs and biological studies.

In conjunction with Supervising Biologist, plan, organize, and prioritize biology projects and programs.

Identify knowledge gaps and data needs, and develop studies and new monitoring programs. Evaluate existing monitoring programs in response to new regulatory requirements, new scientific findings, or to resource management needs and make recommendations.

Make recommendations and participate in the development of habitat management plans or restoration projects for the conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered species.

Plan and implement restoration projects and resource management activities.

Develop partnerships and peer review opportunities with research institutions and other agencies to improve current scientific understanding, outcomes of resource management decisions, and the scientific credibility of SFPUC work products.

Provide biological expertise and technical support to SFPUC managers and staff to inform water system operations, watershed management, stewardship, planning, and regulatory compliance.

Provide in-house biological expertise during negotiations with regulatory agencies or other external stakeholders.

Write and review scopes of work and contract specifications, review budgets, direct work, and evaluate and approve deliverables.

In conjunction with the Supervising Biologist, identify environmental problems associated with facility and watershed operations; propose solutions, including initiation of special studies, to resolve those problems and to achieve compliance with regulations or meet stewardship objectives. Develops best practices for operations and projects that minimize impacts to the environment.

Research scientific literature relevant to SFPUC terrestrial and aquatic resource management; manage and analyze data; prepare technical memos, reports, presentations, and papers. Communicate complex scientific information effectively verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.

Manage and monitor staff progress and direct consultant and contractor teams during planning; data collection, data analysis, and presentation; or resource management activities. Set team goals and priorities, assign tasks, and monitor work products.

Train personnel and consultants in effective field sampling, survey methodology, taxonomy and identification, field and lab standard operating procedures, and use of technical and specialized equipment.