Environmental Analyst 2 (35 Hour)

               

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

DEEP has a current job opportunity for an Environmental Analyst 2 within the Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Water Planning and Management Division, Watersheds Program.  This program is responsible for:

·        Overseeing the development and implementation of watershed management plans;

·        Facilitating cross-program coordination and program development for implementation of watershed improvement activities;

·        Planning and implementing projects for the Long Island Sound Study and DEEP’s Second Generation Nitrogen Strategy; and

·        Coordinating watershed activities with stakeholders and government partners.

This position provides a unique opportunity to join a team committed to ensuring ecosystem health of Connecticut’s waters and watersheds, with an emphasis on Long Island Sound. The position will work across programs in DEEP, maintain a collaborative environment and serve as a resource to multiple programs. The position will receive training and guidance under direction of a supervisor or senior staff.

The position will be located at DEEP Headquarters, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT  06106.

This is a 35 hour per week, Monday – Friday, from 8:00-am to 5:00 pm (flexible).

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

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov,  or 860-424-3006.

This is a competitive position

This position is open to the public.

Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply the following:  Current State Employees- Last two (2) performance appraisals; External applicants, three (3) Professional References.

This posting MAY require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please also check your Junk or SPAM Folders, as emails may inadvertently end up there.

You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the technical review and analysis of environmental program data and issues within the environmental field, developing recommendations on courses of action and assisting with the implementation of policy and program decisions.

In other state agencies this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the technical review and analysis of environmental program data and issues, developing recommendations for courses of action and assisting with the implementation of policy and program decisions.

Assists in development of a departmental, statewide or local environment and/or emergency response plans and programs; researches, collects and analyzes resources, data and educational materials; reviews and analyzes proposed projects for consistency with policies and statutes and assesses environmental impact; conducts site investigations; prepares environmental impact statements and recommends corrective actions and alternatives; analyzes existing state policies, statutes, plans and regulatory programs and reviews pending legislation for environmental impact; coordinates database maintenance and disseminates information; assists in drafting new regulations, statutes, guidelines and other written materials; assists in formulating policy options; provides technical consultation to local, regional, state, federal officials and the public; coordinates federal grant-in-aid programs and prepares related paperwork; recommends enforcement actions and prepares reports; reviews and makes recommendations on environmental permit requests; may prepare publications and guidelines on environmental protection, natural resources education and economic development issues; may develop and implement environmental and leisure service education programs; may testify at public hearings; may prepare enforcement actions; may serve as a legislative liaison; may serve as department representative on various regulatory and advisory boards and committees; performs related duties as required.

The specific duties of the position will focus on the coordination of modeling projects undertaken by DEEP, as well as those modeling projects managed by Long Island Sound Study (LISS) partners where DEEP has an interest. DEEP has initiated a process to recalibrate and validate the state-wide hydrodynamic and water quality model and design and implement modeling projects specific to CT’s coastal embayments. This position would provide in-house coordination of contract requirements, as well as technical expertise to review and evaluate modeling tools and outputs for various scenarios. The position will also perform data management duties that support modeling efforts. Therefore, within the context of evaluating, regulating and managing the use of the state's environmental resources, the incumbent will:

·          Research, collect, and analyze background information and data for modeling applications; 

·          Provide contract management for consultants conducting statewide and embayment modeling activities, including but not limited to consultant selection, model selection, work scope and contract preparation, review and approval of deliverables, and processing of invoices; 

·          Provide task management for statewide and embayment modeling activities, including but not limited to compiling model input datasets, evaluating and recommending models for specific applications, ensuring compliance with Quality Assurance Project Plans, evaluating model output data, and preparing and evaluating modeling scenarios;

·          Compile, format, quality assure, and perform other data management duties to support modeling projects;

·          Provide contract and task management for other LISS projects in CT, as needed;

·          Coordinate modeling efforts undertaken by DEEP and LISS partners;

·          Coordinate modeling training for DEEP staff and LISS partners;

·          Prepare communication materials and presentations for DEEP staff, LISS partners, and the public;  and 

·          Participate in LISS partner and public meetings.

Knowledge of principles and practices in fields relative to environmental protection; knowledge of principles and practices of environmental and policy analysis; knowledge of local, state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and policies pertaining to environmental protection; knowledge of environmental program planning principles and practices; knowledge of statistics; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; research and organizational skills; ability to understand and interpret legislation and technical data; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of experience involving technical analysis and interpretation of environmental program data or planning and implementing environmental programs.

1. College training 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; economics; leisure services; geographic information systems; geography with a concentration in geographic information systems; natural sciences; or natural resources 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 for a Bachelor's degree.

2. A 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; economics; leisure services; geographic information systems; geography with a concentration in geographic information systems; natural sciences; or natural resources may be substituted for five (5) years of the General Experience.

Note: Education may only be substituted for a total of five (5) years.

3. For State Employees one (1) year of experience as a Environmental Analyst 1 may be substituted for the General Experience.

·          Academic training in environmental science, natural resource management, chemistry, physics, biology, civil/environmental engineering, or marine science;

·          Demonstrated experience with collecting, evaluating, and interpreting environmental data to determine potential environmental impact, to assess ecosystem health, to assess impacts to water quality, and to develop recommended actions and alternatives to address such potential impacts;

·          Demonstrated experience using geographic information system software such as ArcGIS or QGIS;

·          Demonstrated experience managing and analyzing data using  programming languages (e.g., Python, R), and using relational database systems (e.g., MySQL, SQLlite and POSTgreSql);

·          Knowledge of water resource models and modeling software for lakes, rivers, and estuaries such as HSPF (Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran), WASP (Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program), BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Non-point Sources), ECOGEM (ecological biogeochemical model), BATHTUB (water quality model of basins), and SWAM (Simplified Water Allocation Model);

·          Demonstrated ability to use critical thinking skills to solve problems and to manage projects independently;

·          Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively and work cooperatively with multiple groups and to contribute well in a team environment; and

·          Demonstrated strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including writing technical reports and giving public presentations.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from on-site environments and a 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.