6/16/92

City of San José
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGIST (5109)

CLASS PURPOSE
   Under direction, supervises, develops, directs and performs professional and technical work of considerable difficulty, leading professional staff in the qualitative and quantitative ecological and toxicological analyses of water, wastewater, industrial waste and related materials. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

• Develops and directs biological, ecological and toxicological investigations related to natural and wastewaters, including the care and maintenance of aquatic organisms used for biological assays.

• Develops and directs effluent toxicity characterization evaluations to determine measures to maintain effluent toxicity at acceptable levels and within NPDES permit requirements.

• Monitors and evaluates problems related to the impact of toxins on plant operations and regulatory requirements, and recommends solutions to alleviate the consequences of such toxins.

• Supervises, directs and/or conducts the more complicated and research related biological, ecological and toxicological analyses of water, wastewater, industrial waste and related samples.

• Performs risk assessments for natural and wastewaters, treatment processes, sludges and other exposures related to humans and aquatic life.

• Determines sampling procedures and programs, performs site evaluations for toxicity, and provides technical expertise in assessing environmental impact investigations.

• Supervises and directs the biomonitoring activities within the laboratory, including static and flow-through biomonitoring using acute and chronic (critical-life stage) biological assays.

• Prepares and edits technical documents and makes oral presentations to regulatory and public groups.

• Conducts risk assessments, toxicity identification evaluations (TIE), and toxicity reduction evaluations (TRE) associated with natural and wastewaters, and provides technical expertise on matters of environmental concern.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
   This is a professional level class, reporting to the Laboratory Supervisor, that leads or supervises a staff of Chemists, Biologists, and Laboratory Technicians in the development and implementation of ecological and toxicological investigations. Incumbents perform the more complicated applied research and testing to determine the toxicity and risk of specific materials to human and aquatic life. This class is distinguished from the Biologist, Chemist and Microbiological series by its emphasis on ecological and toxicological research and testing.

QUALIFICATIONS
   Minimum Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices related to aquatic toxicology, biology, ecology, microbiology and taxonomy utilized to conduct toxicological studies on aquatic organisms.

• Knowledge of modern ecological and toxicological research procedures, techniques and equipment.

• Knowledge of physical/chemical methods to identify toxicants.

• Knowledge of standardized methods for conducting acute and chronic toxicity tests.

• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and instrumentation used to measure effects of natural and wastewaters on aquatic ecology.

• Knowledge of laboratory safety and quality assurance methods and procedures.

• Ability to utilize specialized equipment to conduct ecological and toxicological investigations.

• Ability to perform research work on problems of a biological, ecological or toxicological nature.

• Ability to perform biomonitoring testing requirements with emphasis on benthic, limnological and biological field surveys.

• Ability to supervise professional and technical staff.

• Ability to prepare clear, accurate and concise written technical reports required by regulatory agencies.

• Ability to maintain establish effective working relationships.

• Ability to train and direct laboratory staff in toxicological and ecological testing, analysis and research.

Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of administrative, supervisory and management principles with regard to the operation ofan environmental laboratory. 

• Knowledge of local, state and federal environmental clean water regulations. 

• Knowledge and ability to develop an integrated approach to control pollutants responsible for effluent toxicity.

• Ability to conduct an effluent toxicity reduction evaluation (TRE).

• Ability to conduct a toxicity identification evaluation (TIE).

Training And Experience
   Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Master of Science degree in aquatic or marine biology, aquatic toxicology or related discipline, plus three years of progressively responsible experience in ecological or toxicological research.

A02-5109.SPC