Biologist Citywide- (U00046

About

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City’s commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area.

Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) – Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

To learn more about the organization, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit https://.

Application Opening:
February 9, 2026

Final date to receive applications:
February 23, 2026

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ihankins.

Under general supervision, the Biologist conducts field monitoring studies; collects and analyzes various types of biological data in the field or laboratory; provides technical and biological expertise, researches permits, agreements, and other regulatory documents; provides assessments of potential effects of new regulatory obligations in compliance with state and federal regulations; performs other record management and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC); keeps detailed and accurate field, laboratory, and analytical records;

uses a laboratory information management system to track, control and generate reports; follows Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other established procedures; and keeps abreast of best practices in laboratory or field studies, literature review, and interactions with experts.

The bioassay biologist (located at the Oceanside Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Francisco) performs chronic and acute whole effluent toxicity (WET) bioassay testing in support of SFPUC water and wastewater treatment facilities. Additional responsibilities include ensuring laboratory compliance with EPA test methods, the NELAC Institute (TNI) Standard, and SFPUC NPDES permits; test organism maintenance and handling; effluent sample collection and handling;

maintaining and calibrating laboratory instrumentation; performing water quality measurements; statistical data analysis; interpretation and technical report preparation; shoreline sampling for indicator bacteria; offshore ocean sampling and performing other duties as required.

The ecology biologist (located at SFPUC Headquarters, 525 Golden Gate Ave, SF, with field work in San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, and SF Counties) provides ecological expertise for land management efforts and technical support for planning, permitting, and environmental compliance. This includes researching biological reports, scientific literature, other relevant documents, and field conditions to evaluate monitoring requirements; helping to design/modify projects to protect biodiversity;

participating in aquatic and terrestrial monitoring studies; reviewing draft permits, contract specifications, technical reports, education and interpretive program materials; working with regulatory agencies and stakeholders; and representing the SFPUC in meetings.

The fisheries biologist coordinates and participates in fisheries surveys on the Peninsula and Alameda watersheds. Tasks include habitat, spawning, trapping, snorkeling, electrofishing surveys, benthic macroinvertebrate, reptile, amphibian, wildlife, and water quality surveys; providing technical support for watershed management and compliance; analyzing survey data and preparing technical reports; and collaborating with stakeholders.

The limnologist coordinates water quality surveys on lakes, reservoirs, and streams in the Peninsula and Alameda watersheds, conducts laboratory analyses on collected samples, collects in‑situ data, performs QA/QC, identifies plankton, enters and analyzes data, and prepares summaries and technical reports.

The marine biologist (located at Oceanside Wastewater Treatment Plant) provides accurate identifications to species level of benthic infaunal and epibenthic…