Environmental Protection Forester 1 (35 Hour)

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), 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.  The mission of the Bureau of Natural Resources is to conserve and enhance Connecticut’s fish, wildlife and forest resources and to enhance opportunities for public use and appreciation. The Bureau of Natural Resources is made up of three Divisions (Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife) and a central office.  

Programs within the Forestry Division focus on working with partners to protect Connecticut's forest resources. With close to 60% of its land area in forest, Connecticut is one of the most heavily forested states in the nation. At the same time, Connecticut is also one of the most densely populated states.

DEEP's Forestry Division is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Forester 1 within the Forest Practices Act Utilization Unit. This position is based in Hartford, CT, and will assist Forest Practice Act regulatory compliance and assist state and municipal authorities in associated environmental regulatory enforcement. 

This position is 35 hours per week, Mon - Fri. Some evenings and occasional weekends may be required.

Applicants must upload a cover letter with their applications.

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

(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 and submit your application.)  Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Teresa Munson, Teresa.munson@ct.gov,       (860) 424-3187.  

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

Eligibility Requirement - SPECIAL Notice: 

Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain certification as a Forester in accordance with Section 23-65h of the Connecticut General Statutes unless already certified by another reciprocating state. , “see note below”.  Applicants not currently certified as a Forester must take this certification exam October 17, 2018. Exam pre-registration is required by September 4, 2018. Uncertified applicants not pre-registered by September 4, 2018 will not be deemed qualified to apply.  Additional information may be found at web site: DEEP Calendar - Event Details or by calling 860-424-3630.  

Note – Reciprocity: Forester certification or licensure from another state under a law which provides substantially similar qualifications for certification and which grants similar privileges of certification without examination to residents of Connecticut certified under the provisions of Connecticut General Statute 23-65h.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Division of Forestry this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in planning and coordinating forest resource management and protection activities primarily involving the preparation of comprehensive land management plans.
May be assigned to assist in the administration of the State Nursery Program and/or the Cooperative Forest management program.

Examines, compiles data on and evaluates forest areas in regard to most effective use and maintenance considering such factors as the care and cultivation of forest trees and forest land management including but not limited to economic factors, fire protection, access, recreation and effects on soil, wildlife and fish; writes and implements comprehensive land management plans, providing recommendations for timber and fuelwood harvesting, planting, pruning, building of access roads and waterholes, tax benefits, legal requirements and marketing; leads and/or coordinates timber cutting, fuel wood harvesting, road building and other activities on state lands assuring that procedures and requirements are followed by those involved; develops estimates, bids and contract specifications for timber, cord wood sale and other projects; maintains records, accounts for monies collected and reports on transaction; may assist and advise private owners and towns in various technical aspects of forestry and land management; may prepare reports, write correspondence, write or assist in writing educational or informative materials; may speak before interested groups regarding various aspects of forest management and conduct educational tours; may lead and perform boundary marking; may lead and assist in fire prevention and control activities including the training and direction of fire wardens and crews; may be required to assist other states or federal agencies on emergency assignments; performs related duties as required.

This specific position works under direction of the Forest Practices Act Supervisor designing, coordinating and executing:

1) investigations into violations of the Forest Practices Act,

2) Timber theft and encroachment investigations also representing the Department in any associated enforcement actions,

3) Case referrals to the Attorney General’s office,

4) Preparing and leading discussion with the Forest Practice Advisory Board on critical and sensitive issues concerning certification of forest practitioners; policies of the Department regarding forests, forest health and forest practices; and regulations authorized under CGS 23-65f through CGS 23-65o, 5) supports sustainable forest products utilization.  

Prepares reports, correspondence, educational and informative materials, and legal documents for review by the Forest Practices Act Supervisor. Assists Forest Practice Act regulatory compliance and assists state and municipal authorities in associated environmental regulatory enforcement. Responds to logging complaints. Assists Forest Practices Act Supervisor administering occupational licensing requirements for certified forest practitioners including but not limited examinations, continuing education requirements, and annual activity reports.  Reviews third-party programs and workshops assigning CEU credits for continued practitioner certification. Performs miscellaneous administrative duties: uses personal computer (write reports, databases, GIS); responds (e.g. written & orally) to correspondence & inquiries; provides recommendations to the Forest Practices Act Supervisor.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of silviculture and forest resource management, silvics, forest mensuration, aerial photogrammetry, forest products marketing and utilization, forest surveys and type mapping, forest recreation, forest insects and diseases; some knowledge of forest fire prevention and control; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to read and interpret laws and regulations pertaining to forest lands and related resources; ability to develop short and long range forest management plans; some supervisory ability; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of experience performing technical analysis in forest management.
Forest management is defined as professional level forestry work requiring a knowledge of such scientific fields as dendrology, silvics and silviculture, engineering, forest economics, forest influences, and forest pathology and entomology and the application of their principles to the production of goods and services.

1. College training in forestry, forest management as defined or aboriculture may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years.
2. A Master's degree in forestry or forest management as defined may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of principles and practices of silvics, silviculture, and forest harvest operations including best management practices for protection of water quality.

Regulatory investigation and legal document preparation experience preferred.

Knowledge of principles and practices of silvics, silviculture, forest inventory, analysis and management, electronic field data collection, forest product harvesting operations, forest recreation, forest insects and diseases;

Some knowledge of forest fire prevention and control; interpersonal skills;

Oral and written communication skills;

Ability to read and interpret laws and regulations pertaining to forest lands and related resources;

Ability to develop investigative reports, gather evidence, and present short and long range forest management plans;

Some supervisory ability;

Ability to utilize computer software.

 

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment or transfer to any area of the state.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications including a standard first aid certificate. Incumbents may be required to perform emergency first aid as needed.
3. Incumbents in this class must obtain a Commercial Operator Certificate for the use of pesticides issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection within one (1) year of appointment.
4. Incumbents in this class will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain certification as a Forester in accordance with Section 23-65h of the Connecticut General Statutes.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
6. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

1. Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
2. A physical examination may be required.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury or personal harm from on site field conditions and a moderate degree of discomfort from 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.