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This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

+ Application Opening Date: May 12, 2025

+ Application Filing Deadline: June 3, 2025 at 11:59PM (PDT)

+ Recruitment ID:  PBT-2484-146861/RTF0146860-01085066

+ Location: 3500 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94132

The result from this eligible list will fill multiple vacancies within the Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division. Please review below for more details regarding each respective position.

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.

Position Summary

Senior Biologist for Receiving Waters Monitoring

Under general supervision, the 2484 Biologist III - Senior Biologist for Receiving Waters Monitoring plans, designs, develops, manages, and coordinates environmental studies in support of permitting requirements for San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) wastewater and drinking water operational facilities and the marine, estuarine and watershed environments associated with the facilities. This position provides technical experience and leadership for managing NPDES regulatory compliance monitoring for the SFPUC’s wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities, including SFPUC’s Southwest Ocean Outfall Regional Monitoring Program, which conducts Beach Water Quality Monitoring; Ocean Monitoring of marine sediment, benthic infauna, and bioaccumulation and physical anomalies in sentinel marine species; as well as special studies required for regulatory compliance. This position works with SFPUC’s Wastewater Enterprise, Regulatory and Compliance Division staff to support permit negotiations with regulatory agencies, as well as interpretation of new regulations, permits, or rulings, and translation of these into laboratory and field programs; works with diverse stakeholders regarding SFPUC projects, permit compliance, and other activities; articulately represents the SFPUC to outside stakeholders; works effectively and courteously with multidisciplinary teams, departmental officials, managers, staff, regulatory personnel, and the public. This position leads report preparation for receiving waters monitoring projects and marine ecological assessment monitoring as well as correspondence, memoranda, and scientific studies; edits and reviews written materials prepared by Marine Biology Section staff or consultants; may prepare research materials for presentation and technical conferences and performs duties within the laboratory, in the field or on monitoring vessels on the ocean, San Francisco Bay or SFPUC reservoirs and may exercise supervision during the absence of the Supervising Biologist.

Senior Biologist, Bioassay Laboratory Manager

Under general supervision, the 2484 Biologist III – Bioassay Laboratory Manager plans, designs, develops and coordinates environmental studies and monitoring projects in support of permitting requirements for San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) wastewater and drinking water operational facilities and the marine, estuarine and watershed environments associated with the facilities. This position provides technical experience and leadership for managing NPDES regulatory compliance monitoring, including: periodic acute and chronic bioassay testing of effluent from SFPUC wastewater and drinking water facilities, environmental monitoring of ocean outfalls and monitoring of San Francisco beach water quality; working with SFPUC’s Wastewater Enterprise, Regulatory and Compliance Division staff to support permit negotiations with regulatory agencies, as well as interpretation of new regulations, permits, or rulings, and translation of these into laboratory and field programs. The Bioassay Laboratory Manager works with diverse stakeholders regarding SFPUC projects, permit compliance, and other activities; articulately represents the SFPUC to outside stakeholders; works effectively and courteously with multidisciplinary teams, departmental officials, managers, staff, regulatory personnel, and the public; coordinates with SFPUC Communications. This position leads report preparation for treatment plant bioassay monitoring and marine ecological assessment monitoring as well as correspondence, memoranda, and scientific studies; edits and reviews written materials prepared by Marine Biology Section staff or consultants; may prepare research materials for presentation and technical conferences and performs duties within the laboratory, in the field or on monitoring vessels on the ocean, San Francisco Bay or SFPUC reservoirs and may exercise supervision during the absence of the Supervising Biologist. Work under inclement weather conditions may be required.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

+ Working independently and with other staff to achieve compliance with existing permits, regulations, and SFPUC policies fulfilling regulatory monitoring and reporting requirements associated with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.

+ Modifying, developing and designing monitoring programs that that provide defensible scientific data to fulfill existing and future regulatory obligations or satisfy the needs of a variety of projects or legislation relating to environmental concerns.

+ Analyzing environmental and laboratory data and preparing reports with the purpose of meeting regulatory permit requirements and assessing the effectiveness of resource utilization for existing studies and monitoring programs.

+ Responsible for project-level technical supervision of other staff biologists, technicians, interns, volunteers, and consultants, and may be asked to perform management-level supervision for short periods during the absence of the Supervising Biologist.

+ Working with SFPUC’s Wastewater Enterprise, Regulatory and Compliance Division staff to support permit negotiations with regulatory agencies, interpretation of new regulations, permits, or rulings, and translation of these into laboratory and field programs to achieve regulatory compliance.

+ Effectively communicating the results of studies and monitoring programs both verbally and through clear, concise writing.

+ Interfacing with academic institutions and other professional organizations to keep the Marine Biology Section current with the most recent scientific advances in ocean monitoring, marine invertebrate taxonomy, bioassay assessment, and shoreline water quality monitoring; developing and maintaining intern program to support Marine Biology Section goals.

+ Ensuring work products are peer reviewed; communicates scientific monitoring results at professional conferences.

+ Scheduling and preparing for field work; participating in and leading field work.

+ Overseeing consultants and directing SFPUC staff performing routine monitoring and reporting.

+ Training biologists and other field staff in efficient, effective and safe fieldwork, quality controls, data handling and analyses, and report production.

+ Performing related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum qualifications reflect the lowest level of acceptable education and/or experience required of an individual such that the individual reasonably could be expected to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.  Candidates must meet all the requirements established by the MQs to be considered for the position.

+ Education: Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental biology, marine biology, aquatic biology, wildlife biology, fisheries biology, limnology, aquatic toxicology microbiology, biochemistry, or a related environmental science; AND

+ Experience: Six (6) years of verifiable environmental experience in field or laboratory biology; AND

+ License: Possession of a California valid driver’s license; AND

+ Special Conditions: Two (2) years of professional experience in Biological Monitoring Survey in Coastal Marine Environment

Note: One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.)

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

+ Professional experience leading biological monitoring surveys in coastal marine environments which include whole effluent toxicity testing (both chronic and acute) and bacteriological standards for water contact recreation.

+ Experience of recent professional experience conducting acute and chronic aquatic toxicity tests.

Verification of Education and Experience: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. For more information on how to verify your experience or education please click here (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification) .

Verification of required work experience typically must be on the employer’s letterhead, and must include the applicant’s name, job title, description of job duties, dates of employment, hours per week, and signature of the employer, supervisor, or appropriate representative.

Employees of the City and County of San Francisco may submit performance evaluations showing duties performed to verify qualifying City experience. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules. CCSF employees will not receive credit for experience obtained outside of their classification unless recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Rule 110.9.1/111A.11.2.

Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted.

Verification of qualifying education is a copy of your transcript or diploma. For more information, please click here (https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements) .

Verification of required valid licensure/certification typically must be a photocopy of the license/certificate including the name of the issuing agency as well as the name of the license/certificate holder, license/certificate number, and expiration date.

Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedures:

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ): (Weight:  Qualifying) Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Supplemental Questionnaire Evaluation (Weight:100%):

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent a Supplemental Questionnaire via electronic mail after the closing of this filing period. The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas required for the position.  Applicants will be given a deadline to return the Supplemental Questionnaire. Those who do not respond by the established deadline will not be eligible to continue in the examination process and will not be added to eligibility list resulting from this process. All applicants’ responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are subject to verification. The Supplemental Questionnaire examination component may include but not be limited to:

+ Knowledge of environmental regulations and policies related to NPDES compliance monitoring for receiving waters, including beach monitoring, acute and chronic toxicity testing, and marine sediments monitoring strategies.

+ Knowledge of scientific method and research methodology.

+ Ability to interact effectively with colleagues, supervisors, clients and regulatory personnel.

+ Ability to train personnel in advanced field and laboratory techniques.

+ Skill in written and oral communication.

A passing score must be achieved on the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination in order to continue in the selection process and be placed on the eligible list. Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.

The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decisions.

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of twelve (12) months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of Ten. The hiring department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures prior to making final hiring decisions.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see here (https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2023-24.pdf) .

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at here (https://careers.sf.gov/) .

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

+ Information About The Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)

+ Conviction History

+ Employee Benefits Overview  (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)

+ Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)

+ Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)

+ ADA Accommodation

+ Veterans Preference (http://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#veteranspreference)

+ Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams

+ Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#identification)

+ Copies of Application Documents

+ Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#diversitystatement)

How to Apply: Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, @careers.sf.gov and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Having trouble? If you are having trouble with the application, please visit https://sfdhr.org/having-technical-difficulties or email [email protected]. SmartRecruiters recommends using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browser to submit your application.

Recruitment Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Laurie Gee via email at [email protected].

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.