STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Forester 1 (35 Hour)

Forestry Division

Recruitment #181126-3992EE-001

Introduction

At the State of ConnecticutDepartment 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 State Lands Management Unit. This position is based in Pleasant Valley (Barkhamsted), CT, and will assist in developing forest management plans that implement sustainable forestry practices.

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

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

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov , (860) 424-3006. 

 

Selection Plan

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 March 13, 2019. Exam pre-registration is required by February 4, 2019. Uncertified applicants not pre-registered by February 4, 2019 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.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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 independently coordinating with the Statelands Management Supervisor and program staff developing forest management plans that implement sustainable forestry practices including collecting, compiling, and analyzing forest data for estimating volume of wooded acres and recommending species and volume to be removed in order to improve State forest land resiliency and productivity, writing reports and keeping woodlot records current in order to maintain and develop forest management plans and educating and informing interested groups and the public concerning sustainable forest management on State forest lands. The position also assesses forest health issues associated with potential discovery of damaging invasive insects on State forests. Prepares reports, writes correspondence, educational and informative materials; leads and performs boundary marking; leads and assists in fire prevention and control activities including the training and directing fire wardens and crews; may be required to assist other states or federal agencies on emergency assignments. Performs miscellaneous administrative duties: uses personal computer (write reports, databases, GIS); responds (e.g. written & orally) to correspondence & inquiries; provides recommendations to the Statelands Management Supervisor & staff on assessment of projects to improve efficiency. Administers timber sales contracts, ensuring contractor compliance with all terms, conditions, and payments schedules.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of silvics, silviculture, and wildlife habitat improvement.

Ability to utilize computer software, forestry related phone apps, geographic information systems, geodatabases and electronic field data collection.

Considerable oral and written communication skills. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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.

Conclusion

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.