CS-214
Rev 11/2013
Position Code
1.
State of Michigan
Civil Service Commission
Capitol Commons Center, P.O. Box 30002
Lansing, MI 48909
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This position description serves as the official classification document of record for this position. Please
complete this form as accurately as you can as the position description is used to determine the proper
classification of the position.
2.Employee’s Name (Last, First, M.I.)
8.Department/Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
3.Employee Identification Number
9.Bureau (Institution, Board, or Commission)
4.Civil Service Position Code Description
10.Division
Aquatic Biologist-E 9-P11
Water Resources Division
5.Working Title (What the agency calls the position)
11.Section
Aquatic Biologist
Permits Section
6.Name and Position Code Description of Direct Supervisor
12.Unit
Tiffany J. Myers, Environmental Manager 14
Lakes Michigan and Superior Permits Unit
7.Name and Position Code Description of Second Level Supervisor
13.Work Location (City and Address)/Hours of Work
Phil Argiroff, State Administrative Manager 15
525 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933/
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
14. General Summary of Function/Purpose of Position
This position is responsible for evaluating the impact of toxic substances on aquatic life, wildlife, and public health; and
providing recommendations on how these impacts can be eliminated or controlled. Primary functions of this job include:
reviewing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for toxic substance concerns and conducting
literature searches of aquatic toxicology data for chemicals. This position will also perform biological sampling as needed to
evaluate impacts from NPDES permitted facilities.
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15. Please describe the assigned duties, percent of time spent performing each duty, and what is done to
complete each duty.
List the duties from most important to least important. The total percentage of all duties performed must
equal 100 percent.
Duty 1
General Summary of Duty 1
% of Time 60
Review NPDES permits and develop water quality-based effluent limitations (WQBEL) for toxic chemicals and nutrients to
protect aquatic life, wildlife, and public health.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
 Review NPDES permit applications and other technical documents and studies to determine the chemical and toxicological
character of municipal and industrial effluents.
 Requires direct interaction with district staff, the permittee, consultants, other regulators or the public
 Defend permit limitations when necessary.
 Conduct literature searches when necessary.
 Review Pollutant Minimization Plans as needed.
Duty 2
General Summary of Duty 2
% of Time 15
Plan and conduct biological and chemical investigations on lake and stream systems to evaluate the environmental impacts
associated with industrial/municipal effluents and sites of environmental contamination in relation to NPDES permitted facilities.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
 Develop study plans and quality assurance project plans.
 Conduct water resource monitoring using qualitative and quantitative tools to assess the benthic macroinvertebrates and fish
communities, aquatic habitat, and water and sediment characteristics.
 Analyze data and prepare reports of findings.
 Participate in field training exercises.
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Duty 3
General Summary of Duty 3
Provide technical assistance to the unit.
% of Time 15
Individual tasks related to the duty.
 Keep abreast of the latest information on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved analytical methods.
 Conduct information searches and report reviews, and summarize as appropriate.
Duty 4
General Summary of Duty 4
% of Time 10
Perform other unit or section activities and functions as assigned.
Individual tasks related to the duty.
 Assist in the review of water treatment additive reviews for use at NPDES permitted facilities as needed.
 Participate in water quality sampling crews as needed
 Provide peer review of technical work as needed
 Assist in the development of General Permit certificates of coverage as needed.
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16. Describe the types of decisions made independently in this position and tell who or what is affected by those decisions.
This is an entry level position and all work is reviewed by the Unit Chief until the biologist demonstrates proficiency. The
entry level biologist is expected to submit high quality, approvable work products to the Unit Chief, including WQBEL
recommendations for inclusion in NPDES permits and proposed biological sampling plans.
17. Describe the types of decisions that require the supervisor’s review.
This is an entry level position and all work is reviewed by the Unit Chief until the biologist demonstrates proficiency.
18. What kind of physical effort is used to perform this job? What environmental conditions is this position physically exposed to on
the job? Indicate the amount of time and intensity of each activity and condition. Refer to instructions.
Sitting for long periods of time at a desk and using a computer. Occasional lifting of heavy (up to 100 pounds) equipment
and wading are required. Working in waders under hot sun and in rainy weather for extended periods (6-8 hours) per day.
Minimal exposure (less than 1 hour per day) to sample preservation chemicals.
19. List the names and position code descriptions of each classified employee whom this position immediately supervises or oversees on
a full-time, on-going basis. (If more than 10, list only classification titles and the number of employees in each classification.)
NAME
CLASS TITLE
NAME
CLASS TITLE
20. This position’s responsibilities for the above-listed employees includes the following (check as many as apply):
Complete and sign service ratings.
Provide formal written counseling.
Approve leave requests.
Approve time and attendance.
Orally reprimand.
Assign work.
Approve work.
Review work.
Provide guidance on work methods.
Train employees in the work.
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22.
Do you agree with the responses for Items 1 through 20? If not, which items do you disagree with and why?
Yes.
23. What are the essential functions of this position?

Review NPDES permits and develop WQBELs for toxic chemicals and nutrients to protect aquatic life, wildlife, and public
health.

Plan and conduct biological and chemical investigations on lake and stream systems.

Provide technical assistance to the unit.
24. Indicate specifically how the position’s duties and responsibilities have changed since the position was last reviewed.
New position.
25. What is the function of the work area and how does this position fit into that function?
The function of the Lakes Michigan and Superior Permits Unit is to process NPDES applications for surface water discharge
permits, which requires the development of appropriate WQBEL limitations to ensure protection of surface waters from
pollution impacts.
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26. What are the minimum education and experience qualifications needed to perform the essential functions of this position?
EDUCATION:
Possession of a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences with at least 24 semester (36 term) credits in one or a
combination of the following: aquatic biology, aquatic entomology, environmental science, environmental toxicology,
fisheries biology, hydrology, limnology, statistics, water science, or wetland ecology.
EXPERIENCE:
No specific type or amount is required for the 9 level. One year of professional experience in assessing the effects of
pollution on aquatic life equivalent to an Aquatic Biologist 9 for the 10 level. Two years of professional experience in
assessing the effects of pollution on aquatic life equivalent to an Aquatic Biologist, including one year equivalent to an
Aquatic Biologist 10 for the P11 level.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
This position requires a thorough knowledge of aquatic biology principles, including organism identification, their
importance, distribution, habitat requirements, and stressors; and monitoring study design, analysis, and interpretation of
water quality data and field monitoring techniques. This position requires strong communications skills, including the ability
to write high quality correspondence and technical reports; give high quality oral presentations; and maintain positive
working relationships with coworkers and the public.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Valid driver’s license.
Criminal history background check
NOTE: Civil Service approval of this position does not constitute agreement with or acceptance of the desirable qualifications for this position.
I certify that the information presented in this position description provides a complete and accurate depiction of
the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position.
Supervisor’s Signature
Date
TO BE FILLED OUT BY APPOINTING AUTHORITY
Indicate any exceptions or additions to statements of the employee(s) or supervisors.
I certify that the entries on these pages are accurate and complete.
Appointing Authority Signature
Date
TO BE FILLED OUT BY EMPLOYEE
I certify that the information presented in this position description provides a complete and accurate depiction of
the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position.
Employee’s Signature
Date
NOTE: Make a copy of this form for your records.
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