STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1 (Inland) (35 Hour)

Recruitment #210604-3911EE-001

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Introduction



Do you have a passion for wildlife and fisheries management? 
If so, consider making an impact with the DEEP Fisheries Division! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking an Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1 to support habitat protection and restoration initiatives for the waters of Connecticut. 

Position Highlights: 

The Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1 will be assigned to the Eastern District field office located in Marlborough, CT. The incumbent may have some statewide responsibilities requiring the need to spend some time in field offices located in Harwinton and Old Lyme, CT. 

This position is first shift, 35 hours per week, but hours may vary according to field sampling or out of office or out of state meeting needs. 

Driving throughout the state to attend meetings and engage in site visits and field activities, sometimes in harsh weather will be required. Some night work may be required to attend these meetings and out of state travel occasionally.  

The person selected for this position will participate in monthly meetings with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and may be assigned to other standing or ad hoc working groups. The preferred candidate for this position with have experience with statistical analysis of fish populations, experience in fishery biology and species identification, and experience with various sampling techniques of fishes. 

As an Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1, you will have a dynamic and critical role, with some key responsibilities including: 
  • Responsibility for projects affecting inland waters in Eastern Connecticut;
  • Office review of submitted permit application materials, on-site field visits, inspections and meetings;
  • Making recommendations for fish and aquatic habitat protection, enhancement, restoration, and possible mitigation as conditions may warrant;
  • Sampling waterbodies for fish populations either as part of HCE activities or to assist Division colleagues;
  • Review a variety of management plans that have the potential to impact fish and fish habitat;
  • Lead fish kill investigations in the inland waters of Eastern Connecticut.


About Us: 

The Fisheries Division staff advise both state and federal regulators on the need for protective measures for fish populations and habitat for projects requiring state and federal permits. 

Some projects include: The replacement of bridges and culvert, the diversion of surface water and groundwater, dredging, filling or modification of waterways, streambank and riparian alteration, discharge of effluent into waterways, utility crossings of streams and other water bodies, winter drawdowns of lakes, use of aquatic herbicides and algaecides, and review of hydropower license applications issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure sufficient flow regimes, avoid and minimize risk to fish associated with impingement and entrainment, and ensure effective upstream and downstream fish passage conditions for migratory fishes. 

Regulatory programs that administer permits send HCE staff permit applications and plans for HCE review and comment. When negative impacts are unavoidable, staff often work with permit analysts to propose either on-site or off-site mitigation measures. Staff also review timber management plans, watershed plans, streamflow management regulations and other management plans proposed by other divisions of the department that can affect fish and fish habitat. 

What we can offer you: 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • Excellent health and dental coverage; 
  • A generous retirement plan; 
  • Paid time off; 
  • A healthy work/life balance!
Discover how you can make an impact:
             

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date of the posting, unless otherwise specified. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection and Agriculture this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in fisheries management, research and conservation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Develops statistically valid research methodology; calculates growth rates of fish populations; analyzes data; calculates area, volume and depth of lakes and ponds; collects samples of the fish population using nets and specialized equipment; collects and identifies samples of bottom organisms and computes the weight and number of fish food organisms; determines the 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 supervises the treatment for weed control; recommends type and amount of fish to be stocked; submits tentative projects of an investigational nature for land acquisition or development; plans and prepares special reports for submission to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; gives testimony in court as an expert witness for the state; acts as consultant to private landowners; participates in educational work of the agency; may give talks to service clubs and other organizations; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles and methods of fisheries management; knowledge of environmental and human factors involved in the production, management and cropping of stocks of fishes; some knowledge of standard methods of water analysis used in fishery work; some knowledge of microcomputers; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to conduct fishery surveys and to apply statistical procedures necessary for sound conclusions; ability to identify fishes, aquatic insects and aquatic plants; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in inland 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will possess:
  • An M.S. in Fisheries Biology; 
  • Experience with GIS, and use of database programs such as Excel, Access, Sequel Server, and R; 
  • Experience with fish habitat, habitat protection, habitat restoration in fresh waters; and with instream flow studies, methodologies and management; 
  • Experience reviewing hydropower license applications and making recommendations to provide timely, safe and effective upstream and downstream fish passage at hydropower facilities; 
  • Experience with various aquatic plant management tools and identifying aquatic plant species; 
  • Experience with construction practices and transportation related projects, including experience reading engineered construction plans. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing and able to accept assignment or transfer to any area of the State.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to live on a vessel for extended period 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.

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. Incumbents in this class must be able to swim.
3. Appropriate examinations will be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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.

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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