STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Forester 2 (35 Hour)

Private and Municipal Lands Program

Recruitment #201006-7616EE-001

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Introduction


The State of Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Forestry Division encourages the long term practice of responsible and sustainable forest management. 

We accomplish this by:

  1. Protecting Connecticut's forest resources from the effects of fire, insects, disease, and misuse. 
  2. Providing accurate and timely information about Connecticut's forest resources.
  3. Certifying forest practitioners.
  4. Managing the State Forests, in which exist many large blocks of unfragmented forest land.
  5. Engaging municipalities and citizens in the work of urban forestry.
  6. Providing guidance to private forestland owners.
The Forestry Division is seeking to hire an EP Forester 2 within our Private and Municipal Lands Program.  In this role, you will lead the Forestry Division's Urban Forestry effort by providing technical assistance to cities and towns.

This position is 35 hours per week.  Monday through Friday.

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.  Applicants not currently certified as a Forester must take the certification exam on March 10, 2021. Exam pre-registration is required by February 2, 2021. 

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.

Selection Plan

Duties include: 

  • This position works statewide independently administering and coordinating the Division of Forestry’s Urban Forestry program.
  • Provides technical assistance to municipalities through their Tree Wardens, tree workers, tree boards, citizens, civic groups and non-profits.
  • Develops annual grant narratives and reports all program accomplishment in compliance with USDA Forest Service requirements.
  • Administers Tree City USA and Tree Campus USA and actively assists towns and cities helping them to understand and achieve the qualifying standards for those programs.
  • Administers the American the Beautiful grant program, as funding is available, which provides support to efforts such as planning and inventory, coordination of volunteer efforts, tree planting programs, and the protection and enhancement of community tree resources.
  • Acts as the Department liaison to the Urban Forestry Council assisting them in program development, coordination and implementation.
  • Represents the Department on committees and task forces involving urban trees.
  • Creates educational tools and publications, conducts trainings and tours related to urban forestry.
  • Provides guidance on urban forestry policy issues at the state level.
  • Builds new and retains existing relationships and partnerships including but not limited to state and federal agencies, tree wardens, municipal officials, community leaders and commissions, non-profit and civic groups, volunteer agencies and groups, citizens, utility companies and tree services in order to coordinate efforts and build synergy in the development and execution of urban forestry.
  • May provide communities guidance in the utilization of urban wood.
  • 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.
Performs miscellaneous administrative duties: Uses personal computer (write reports, databases, GIS); responds (e.g., written & orally) to correspondence & inquiries; provides recommendations to supervisor & staff on assessment of programs to improve efficiency; reviews plans & documents prepared by others.

Applicants must have and maintain the agility, endurance and physical ability to perform the required work. A physical examination may be required prior to and/or during employment in this class. 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. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Division of Forestry this class is accountable for acting as a working lead and/or for performing the most complex tasks in forest resource management and protection activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

When used as a working lead: As assigned by a supervisor: may distribute, prioritize, oversee and review office unit work; may provide staff training and assistance; may conduct or assist in conducting performance evaluations; may act as liaison with operating units, agencies, consultant staffs and other outside officials regarding unit office policies and standards; performs related duties as required.

Provides forest resource management activities on assigned areas of State owned lands; leads the work of foresters and other forest workers including review of completed land management and cutting plans; writes and implements land management and cutting plans; provides professional services to private land owners, primary processors of forest products and towns regarding most effective use of forest land and products; promotes use of lands with consideration to conservation and urban forest resource management principles; writes and reviews reports, environmental impact statements, correspondence, bids and contract specifications as required; maintains records; develops and implements forest management and related programs; may be assigned to direct and coordinate special projects related to forestry; coordinates or directs fire fighting, protection and control activities when required; coordinates and may oversee the work of logging and construction contractors; speaks before interested groups and may plan and conduct workshops, programs, informational meetings or tours; may develop educational and informational materials for public or private groups; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of the 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 diseases and insects; knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to forest lands, arboriculture, and related resources; knowledge of forest land tax classification laws; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop short and long range forest management plans and programs; considerable ability to keep records and make reports; ability to review and evaluate forest management plans; ability to coordinate and oversee forest fire prevention and control; ability to utilize computer software; some lead ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) 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 arboriculture 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

• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the methods and principals employed in urban and community forestry, tree care, including soils, forest ecology, watershed management, horticulture, tree biology, dendrology, entomology, pathology, arboriculture and the ability to interpret laws pertaining to urban and community forestry.

• Considerable interpersonal skills including, but not limited to, communication both oral and written, leadership, teamwork, social and networking skills, motivation, listening, problem solving and critical thinking.

•Ability to utilize computer software, urban forestry related phone apps, and geographic information systems.

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 certification 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 Supervisory Certificate for the application 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 and maintain 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 personal injury or physical harm from on site, field conditions and to some 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.





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