What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Aquatic Biologist position at San Antonio River Authority?
Job Close Date: 2/17/2024
*This Is a Limited Term Position that will end October. 31st, 2025
GENERAL SUMMARY
Responsible for conducting and coordinating apple snail removal events in the downtown stretch of the San Antonio River and other waterbodies as necessary. Assists with field monitoring efforts involving routine surface water quality monitoring, special aquatic and riparian studies, fish, mussel and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys and wastewater sampling in compliance with regulatory, project and state requirements.
Safety is #1 at the River Authority: We expect every employee: to 1) Strictly follow safety policies, rules, and safe work methods. 2) Promptly correct or report safety hazards or unsafe conditions. Immediately report injuries for prompt diagnosis and treatment. 3) Make regular suggestions for safety process improvements to support continuous safety improvement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Conducts and coordinates the removal of invasive apple snails from the downtown stretch of the San Antonio River and other waterbodies as necessary, following designated removal and disposal protocol.
- Participates in and conducts apple snail removal training events for consultants, staff and volunteers.
- Conducts and documents all monitoring efforts in accordance with the most current Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Surface Water Quality Monitoring Procedures, Quality Assurance Project Plan and monitoring plan.
- Operates, calibrates and maintains field instrumentation such as electrofishing systems, data sondes, boats and trailers. Documents all required calibration and maintenance.
- Assists in performing aquatic surveys including qualitative and quantitative freshwater mussel surveys, a wide variety of fisheries assessments and invasive species monitoring and removal.
- Makes unbiased observations of aquatic and riparian conditions, surrounding watershed land uses, current weather conditions, impacts of human activities and any other observations as needed.
- Presents a positive image for the River Authority when interacting with stakeholders, constituents and media outlets and participates in outreach and education events to promote natural resources stewardship.
- Performs related work as required.
SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
- This position does not directly supervise any employees.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education and Experience
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in Biological Science, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline, or six (6) months of progressively responsible environmental field experience, or a related discipline or a combination of experience and education that results in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is required.
Required Licenses or Certifications
- None
Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Knowledge of:
- Native and non-native aquatic species of Texas
- Aquatic and ecological theories and principles
- Microsoft Office
Skills and Abilities:
- Communicating Orally and in writing
- Ability to perform calibrations and minor maintenance of field instruments and equipment
- Ability to swim
- Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and SARA Core Values of Stewardship, Integrity, and Excellence
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work Environment and Physical Effort: (check the appropriate box:)
| Physical Effort Requirements | ||
Work Environment | Sedentary | Medium | Heavy |
Good: Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards. | |||
Satisfactory: Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work. | |||
Disagreeable: Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk. | ☒ |
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Medium: Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
Heavy: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS continued
Work Locations: (select one frequency choice for each location listed:)
| Work Environment Locations | ||
Work Locations: Indicate how often the work requires the employee to be in the following types of environments: | Seldom or Never | Sometimes | Frequently or Often |
Office or similar indoor environment | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Outdoor environment | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Street environment (near moving traffic) | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Construction site | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ |
Confined space | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ |
Vehicle | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Warehouse environment | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ |
Other: (Specify: ) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Exposures: (select one frequency choice for each exposure listed:)
| Exposures | ||
Exposures: Indicate how often the work requires the employee to be exposed to the following environmental exposures. | Seldom or Never | Sometimes | Frequently or Often |
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees) | ☐ | ☒ | ☐ |
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees) | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Communicable diseases | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Moving mechanical parts | ☐ | ☒ | ☐ |
Fumes or airborne particles | ☐ | ☒ | ☐ |
Poison ivy, wasps, snakes, and other natural hazards | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ |
Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ |
Loud noises (85 decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction) | ☐ | ☒ | ☐ |
Other: (Specify: ) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
San Antonio River Authority is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
