Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 2 (Inland) (35 Hour)

      

 

 The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.

The Bureau of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division, is pleased to invite highly motivated and enthusiastic people to apply for the opportunity to join our team as an EP Fisheries Biologist 2 within our Coldwater Fisheries Program. This position will be responsible for many complex duties related to the stocking of trout and salmon to support recreational fishing and the conservation and preservation of wild populations.

The candidate will largely work with limited supervision and be tasked with working cooperatively with remaining coldwater staff and the Fisheries Division’ Fish Culture staff as they implement action items in the forthcoming 5-year Statewide Salmonid Action Plan. Some of the key traits of this candidate will be organization, ability to multi-task, strong communication and leadership, and the ability to perform robust statistical and temporal analysis using the latest statistical and Geographic Information System software.

Hours per week: 35, typically first shift, but hours may vary according to out of office or out of state meeting needs.

Location: Based in Marlborough, CT.

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

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

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

In the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection and Agriculture this class is accountable for the most complex tasks in fisheries management, research and conservation.

Performs complex related duties within the parenthetical area; determines depth of lakes and ponds by soundings; drafts bottom contour maps; calculates area, volume and depth of lakes and ponds; collects samples of fish using nets and specialized equipment; analyzes stomach contents of fish and identifies parasites present; collects and identifies samples of bottom organisms and computes weight and number of fish food organisms; determines dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide content present in water; prepares and analyzes growth curves of all species of fish collected; analyzes data and submits recommendations for laws, regulations and management; makes statistical estimates of fish populations; tests and evaluates various chemicals for use as aquatic weed killers; calculates chemical dosage, prescribes methods of application and oversees treatment for weed control; recommends type and amount of fish acquisition or development; plans and prepares special reports; serves as expert witness for state; acts as consultant to private landowners; participates in educational work of agency; may prepare fishery management plans; performs related duties as required.

This specific position:

• Coordinate with State Fish Hatcheries for the culture and distribution of trout and salmon; 
• Planning sampling and collecting fish community data to monitor fish populations in coldwater streams where physical habitat and water quality has been improved or degraded;
• Assess fish populations of long-term reference sites;
• Conduct water temperature mapping of streams to find locations of quality coldwater habitat;
• Develop systems to map water temperature and other stream data including barriers/obstructions to fish movement;
• Assess short and long term environmental trends by sampling a variety of reference streams on a regular basis and re-sampling former sample locations;
• Assess important riverine trout fisheries on a systematic basis;
• Contribute  to the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of anglers by making relevant management decisions that reflect customer desires and behaviors;
• Manage fish community data; making data available spatially for the Division’s Habitat Conservation and Enhancement program, other divisions within DEEP, town land commissions, angler groups, watershed associations, and the engaged public; and
• Participate on national and regional coldwater workgroups.

Considerable knowledge of principles and methods of fisheries management; considerable knowledge of environmental and human factors involved in production, management and harvesting of stocks of fishes; knowledge of standard methods of water analysis used in fishery work; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to identify fishes, aquatic insects and aquatic plants; ability to make fishery surveys and studies; ability to apply sound statistical procedures; ability to utilize computer software.

Seven (7) years of experience in fisheries management.

Fisheries management is defined as work requiring a knowledge of scientific fields such as biology, ichthyology, fisheries science, fish population dynamics, aquatic ecology, limnology, fish taxonomy, fishery statistics, aquatic entomology, aquatic phycology and oceanography.

1. College training in fisheries management as defined 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 fisheries management as defined may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with coldwater fish and fisheries (trout and salmon), both self-sustaining and stocked. This person will appreciate and understand the challenges facing the coldwater program as the environmental and cultural landscapes continue to evolve. As such, the ideal candidate will have:

• An excellent attitude, work ethic, and highly motivated.
• A considerable working knowledge of principles and methods of fisheries management with significant working knowledge of Connecticut’s waters and the capacity of these waters to support coldwater fisheries.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills with at least 3 years’ experience with project management including prioritizing multiple competing tasks.
• A firm understanding of impacts related to a changing landscape and of climate change on coldwater fish species.
• A firm understanding of Connecticut’s trout and salmon angler demographics.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated ability to coordinate, organize, and schedule a statewide stocking program.
• Considerable knowledge of environmental and human factors involved in production, management and harvesting of stocks of fishes.
• At least 5 years of experience with the evaluation and assessment of spatial and temporal data; fluency in statistical software such as R or Minitab and be well versed in the use of ESRI software such as ArcGIS, Survey 123, and Collector (or similar).
• Experience with relational database platforms and maintenance of large data sets.
• Demonstrated ability to perform advanced robust statistical analysis of large data sets.
• Excellent writing and communication skills At least 5 years experience with the development, implementation, and analysis of angler surveys.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with customers via social media, publications, and presentations.
• Capacity to work independently and also contribute to project teams of varying sizes.
• Experience attending stakeholder meetings and presenting information related to coldwater fisheries.
• Experience with Regional and National efforts related to eastern brook trout conservation and restoration.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and Agency policy with the public and various media outlets.

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment or transfer to any area of the State.
2. Incumbents may be required to live on a vessel for extended periods of time.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
4. 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. Incumbents in this class must be able to swim.
3. Appropriate examinations will be required.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from environmental conditions and to 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.