Environmental Protection Seasonal Resource Assistant

   

The mission of the DEEP Wildlife Division is to advance the conservation, use, and appreciation of Connecticut’s wildlife resources. The Division’s Habitat Management Program supports this mission by managing for a diversity of habitats on our system of 109 state-owned wildlife management areas, as well as state forests and other state and private lands. These lands support wildlife-based recreation, including hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing and the Habitat Program is responsible for managing and maintaining these areas to support that use. A range of techniques are used to manage habitat, including forest harvests, mulching and mowing, prescribed burning, invasive plant control, and open marsh water management. Areas require a variety of maintenance to support safe public access for wildlife-based recreation.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP),Wildlife Division, is seeking to hire a Seasonal Resource Assistant to work within the Habitat Management Program to assist with GIS mapping (ArcMap10.6), data bases, habitat technical assistance, and other administrative duties. The individual will have the opportunity to work closely with state agency wildlife biologists and a wide range of staff responsible for managing wildlife habitat across the state. 

The main work location will be the DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough, CT.

The position is thirty-five (35) to forty (40) hours per week, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 am – 5:00 pm (hours flexible). Occasional weekend and evening work required.

Salary: The pay rate varies from $11.00 to $14.00 per hour, depending on education and experience. There are no benefits with this position.  

Length of position: Approximately six (6) months, (no more than 1,030 hours), starting in late December 2019.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Questions about these positions should be directed to: Judy Wilson, 860-295-9523, judy.wilson@ct.gov.

This position is non-competitive. Open to the public.

The selected candidate must be fluent in English, be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license and an excellent driving record.   

The selected candidate must possess and maintain adequate physical flexibility, strength and stamina to perform the duties (including work outside in inclement weather, work outside for extended periods), and work well with other staff and members of the public.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as a limited duration employee, performs one or more of a variety of tasks and assigned duties of a seasonal nature.

The employee will support the Habitat Management Program by performing the following duties under direct supervision of Wildlife Biologists:

(1) Using ArcMap10.6 to create, organize, and maintain maps for state and private land habitat management assessments, plans, projects, site designations, hunting review team reports, and various technical guidance;  

(2) Using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS), layout project boundaries, determine acreages of completed projects and collect field data; 

(3) Gather and summarize data to track effectiveness of various habitat management practices and assist in the preparation of state and federal reports;

(4) Update and maintain project tracking data bases including the New England Cottontail Access Data Base;

(5) Assist in conducting field assessments of state and private lands for wildlife habitat management potential;  

(6) Assist in the preparation of habitat management plans;

(7) Other duties may include assisting seasonal maintainers, and/or biologists with habitat management field tasks including vegetative surveys, boundary posting, pellet collection, pelt tagging, data entry, basic report preparation, filing, and drafting purchase requests.

Ability to follow instructions.

Preferred candidates have:

1) a college degree or post high school training in wildlife science, ecology, biology, or related field;

2) be proficient in the use of ArcGIS (ArcMap10.6), Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;

3) ability to use a variety of data sources and maps to locate sites, perform assessments, and provide technical assistance;

4) good written and oral skills;

5) ability to organize, track, and summarize data using Excel spreadsheets;

6) familiarity with habitat assessment, management plans, and use of GIS interpretation for wildlife resource management planning;

7) ability to work as a team member or independently. Knowledge of hunting and trapping regulations is helpful. Employee must be willing to work out of doors in natural habitats in a variety of adverse weather conditions and under potentially hazardous field conditions (e.g., bee stings or insect bites, poison ivy, rocky terrain, etc.). 

1. Incumbents in this class who are assigned as supervisors of small recreational units will perform emergency first aid as needed and will be required to obtain and retain a Basic First Aid Certificate.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required for certain positions to meet any of the following:

a. Proof of possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Operator license.

b. Possession of a valid license to apply pesticides.

c. College training in a specific field.

d. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification may be required by specific State facilities.

3. Incumbents performing lifeguard services must have and retain an American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguarding Certification (includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Basic First Aid). An EMT or MRT certification may be substituted for the CPR and First Aid requirements.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain adequate physical strength and stamina to perform the duties of the class.

2. Incumbents performing lifeguard services must be able to demonstrate American Red Cross (ARC) waterfront lifeguarding swimming skills.

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.