Biologist II

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Opening Date: February 09, 2026

Closing Date: End of day March 02, 2026

Location: Augusta

Position Number:

Class Code: 9352

Grade: 25 (Supervisory)

Salary: $60,569.60 - $85,529.60 Per Year*

* (This includes a 5.5% Salary Adjustment)

This position uses limnological expertise to assess, protect and restore Maine lakes in the Lakes Assessment Section of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. This position leads or assists with logistics and planning of monitoring for multiple section projects, design of new projects, data management, and statistical/geographic analysis of data. The position may coauthor scientific peer‑reviewed papers for publication and remains current with pertinent laws and scientific literature.

The position interprets water quality data for the public and provides technical assistance to municipalities and lake conservation groups. The position supervises section staff and provides training support for the Lake Stewards of Maine’s Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program.

• Collects limnological data using boats and appropriate equipment, while following Standard Operating Procedures and departmental safety protocols.
• Uses data tools (preferably with R programming language) to analyze data and produce visualizations to display results. Creates detailed supporting reports of data analyses and interpretations as needed.
• Uses GIS software to perform spatial analyses of lake and watershed data.
• Creates, reviews, edits, and evaluates project documents, technical and scientific reports, and web‑based data tools to support lake protection and restoration programs and disseminate information.
• Assists in ongoing Lake Assessment Section research and helps develop new research projects as needed.
• Trains seasonal support personnel and volunteers; designs, repairs and maintains field and laboratory equipment.
• Interprets, explains, and promotes lake programs, policies, data, and concerns to the public, other agencies, and private organizations.

For information specific to the position, please contact Jeremy Deeds at  or jeremy.deeds.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Wildlife Management or related field
-AND- three (3) years of experience in laboratory or field research of fish and wildlife including experience in a supervisory capacity. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Preference will be given to applicants having a thesis‑based Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Limnology, Biology, Aquatic Ecology or a closely related field.

1. Please provide an example of your own writing where you were the sole author. The example should illustrate your ability to communicate scientific findings to other professionals.

2. What does the term “limiting nutrient” mean as applied to lakes? What is the limiting nutrient for most Maine lakes, and why is it important to measure? How do Secchi disk transparency readings provide information about the nutrient status of lakes?

3. Many lakes have diminished dissolved oxygen concentrations in portions of the water column in late summer. How does this happen, and what are the ramifications for lake water quality and habitat?

4. Describe the conditions of two different lakes based on the common fish species present:

Lake A: lake trout, landlocked salmon

Lake B: large mouth bass, yellow perch

Include in your answer characterizations of macrophyte growth, water clarity, phytoplankton communities, and lake morphology.

5. Compare and contrast the mixing and stratification dynamics you would expect to see between two lakes of similar surface area but different maximum depths: 5 m and 20 m. Describe your expectations for the following limnological phenomena: thermoclines, oxyclines,…