Environmental Intern (35 Hour)

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection , we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment- and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.   Within the Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse (WPLR), our mission is to work together for the restoration, protection and conservation of Connecticut’s water and land resources for current and future generations.

With this goal in mind, WPLR is currently looking for an Environmental Intern, at our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historical Bushnell Park.  This position is fulltime, 35 hours/week, Monday-Friday. 

The intention for this position is to rotate through the Water Planning & Management Division, the Remediation Division and the Land & Water Resources Division, spending six months in each Division, and performing duties specific to the Division assigned. This position will receive one to two years of on-the-job training for professional work in land and water resource management, planning, and investigation and remediation of contaminated sites.

This position will be primarily responsible for assisting in fulfilling the critical mission of restoration, protection and conservation of Connecticut's water and land resources and protection of public health and safety through: permitting, compliance and enforcement of state and federal regulatory programs; protection and conservation of water resources through basin and statewide water quality planning, monitoring and implementation, as well as through statewide water quantity planning and regulation; reducing risks from historical contamination through site remediation and potable water programs; landfill management; management of inland water resources, floodplains and the resources and uses of Long Island Sound and the coastal area through planning and regulatory programs; and dam safety.

Applicants are required to upload a cover letter and resume with their submission. (NOTE: in order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser’s ‘pop-up’ blocker is off. Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation into JobAps.).

If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to provide the last two (2) service ratings and non-state employees may be required to provide two (2) letters of reference.

In a state agency receives training in introductory professional environmental work for the development of technical and professional skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement to the professional environmental work of the agency; performs a wide variety of increasing difficult duties as technical skills are acquired during the course of the training period.

Examples of duties may include:  assisting in research, collection and analysis of resources, data and educational materials; assisting in review and analysis of proposed projects for consistency with policies, statutes and environmental impact; assisting in coordinating data base maintenance, and disseminating and managing information; assisting in drafting new regulations, statutes, guidelines and other written materials; assisting in providing technical consultation to local, regional, state, federal officials and the public; assisting in coordinating federal grant-in-aid programs and preparing related documentation; assisting in preparing enforcement actions and reports; assisting in reviewing and developing recommendations on environmental permit requests; assisting in preparing environmental impact statements and recommendations for corrective actions and/or alternatives; assisting in conducting site investigations; assisting in research and analysis of information related to real property and financial documents; and assisting in preparing publications and guidelines on environmental protection, natural resource education and economic development issues.

Some knowledge of basic theories, principles and practices of environmental and policy analysis; some knowledge of basic statistics; general knowledge of environmental program planning principles and practices; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; research and organizational skills; ability to understand and interpret legislation and technical data; ability to utilize computer software.

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a scientific or technical discipline related to the environmental field including but not limited to the biological, earth, or physical sciences; environmental planning; environmental law; leisure services; geographic information systems; geography with a concentration in geographic information systems; environmental or natural sciences; or natural resources.

Interdisciplinary academic training or experience in environmental  or natural science, biological, earth or physical science, water resource management, hydrology, hydrogeology, natural resources, planning or related field;• Experience and/or familiarity with the principles and practices of environmental regulations specific to the management and use of natural resources;• Familiarity with reading, interpreting and using maps and relational databases, aerial photos, topographic and other resource maps, and identifying or delineating natural resources; technical charts, graphs, data tables, drawings and plans, and environmental assessment and evaluation techniques;• Some experience using computer software including MS Excel, MS Access, ArcView, ArcInfo or software programs and application for natural resource modeling, statistical analysis, GIS and database management;• Ability to coordinate effectively with other agencies and units, and work in a team environment;• Ability to understand and interpret technical data; and• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication and critical analysis skills.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from on site environments and moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year round weather conditions.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.