Environmental Protection Seasonal Resource Assistant

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (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.

DEEP's Wildlife Division is seeking to hire a Seasonal Resource Assistant to work within the Habitat Management Program to assist in maintaining public access areas and conducting habitat enhancement projects on wildlife management areas statewide.  Individuals 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 for this position will be DEEP’s Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington, 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 $10.10 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).

Note: Do not submit a cover letter. Applicants must only include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application. 

Any inquiries regarding the status of your application for this position must be made directly to: Judy Wilson,  judy.wilson@ct.gov, 860-295-9523.

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

The selected candidate must be fluent in English and be at least 18 years old. 

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.

The selected candidate must have: (1) a valid motor vehicle operator’s license; (2) be proficient in towing utility trailers (max. 20 feet; under 10,000 lbs.) and operating and maintaining chainsaws, brush saws and other power tools, lawn and brush mowers (DR, X-mark, Model 3520 John Deere tractor w/bush hog, auger and backhoe attachments) and spray equipment (backpack units (up to 40lbs) and truck mounted tank).

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

The employee will assist the Habitat Program in maintaining public access areas and conducting habitat enhancement projects on wildlife management areas statewide by performing the following duties under the daily supervision of Habitat Program Wildlife Biologists and Maintainers:

(1) maintaining parking lots and service roads (e.g., trash pick-up, mowing, weed control);

(2) constructing, installing and maintaining signs;

(3) clearing downed trees;

(4) painting and installing gates;

(5) controlling invasive plants and maintaining early successional habitats (e.g., old fields, grasslands, shrublands, young forests) through mechanical means and herbicide applications;

(6) planting trees and shrubs;

(7) installing or maintaining deer proof fencing;

(8) maintaining water control structures and clearing dams of invading vegetation;

(9) constructing, installing and monitoring nest boxes;

(10) boundary posting;

(11) maintaining the Wildlife Division’s office building, grounds and associated facilities, including outbuildings, parking areas, and service roads (e.g., lawn mowing, grounds upkeep, trash removal, cleaning restrooms and kitchen area, washing windows, cleaning floors, painting and staining, service road maintenance and sign posting);

(12) maintaining boundaries and structures and

(13) other duties as assigned. Opportunities to assist on other field projects (e.g., Canada goose banding, bird surveys, forest inventory, public outreach, etc.) may be made available as time allows and according to employee interest.

Ability to follow instructions.

Ability to use maps to locate sites and keep a written record of existing land uses, maintenance needs, and daily activities/accomplishments;

Willingness and ability to obtain a DEEP (governmental) pesticide applicator’s license and assist in applying herbicides on undesirable vegetation (training, study documents and testing will be provided by DEEP at no cost to the employee); 

Ability to work as a team member or independently;

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 or uneven terrain, etc.).

Knowledge of habitat management practices for wildlife and invasive plant identification.

1. Incumbents in these classes who are assigned as patrol persons or 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 these classes 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 patrol officer functions must currently possess Police Officer Standard Training (POST) certification or be eligible for POST recertification without completing the Basic Training program again (i.e. must be current or retired within two (2) years of last POST certified required employment) or Connecticut State Police (CSP) Academy certification (must be current or retired within two (2) years of last CSP certified required employment). Must pass a seasonal patroller training course as approved by the Connecticut State Police.

4. 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.