STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1 (Marine)

(35 Hour)

Recruitment #210728-3914EE-001

Introduction

The 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.

The Bureau of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division, Marine Fisheries Program has an opening for an Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1 (Marine).

The Department is seeking an energetic, enthusiastic, and innovative person to help lead our marine environmental sampling programs into the future. The successful candidate will join a team of Department biologists conducting a variety of marine field projects centered on monitoring the fish and invertebrate populations of Long Island Sound. The successful candidate will also participate in the technical aspects of the interstate marine fisheries management process as governed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The successful candidate may also participate in projects that collect and interpret recreational fisheries data.

Position Details

The position will be based out of our Old Lyme Marine District Headquarters, and will require a mix of field work, lab work, and office duties. The job will generally require 35 hours per week, with occasional overtime. Work schedule may vary according to fieldwork and meeting schedules. Fieldwork will require time spent at sea on a survey vessel for extended hours, sometimes in bad weather.


Selection Plan

This is a competitive recruitment, open to the public.

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

Please note, this position may require out of state and overnight travel. Position will require working long hours on a vessel at sea, at times in inclement weather.

To Apply:

  • Complete a Master Application and apply directly to this recruitment.
  • Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included a resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

What to Expect After You Apply:

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.

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

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

NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Current state employees will be required to submit their last two (2) service ratings.

Should you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Samantha Wasef, Leadership Associate – Talent Solutions: Samantha.Wasef@CT.Gov or 860.937.6357 

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

  • Participate in fish sampling using a variety of sampling gears and techniques.
  • Collaborate on field survey planning.
  • Collect data and biological samples from fish and invertebrates using standardized collection protocols.
  • Identify marine fish and invertebrates to species.
  • Assist in hiring, training, and leading teams of seasonal resource assistants during field, lab, and office work.
  • Trailer and operate small boats.
  • Serve as a crew member on larger survey vessels.
  • Maintain and repair field sampling equipment.
  • Implement recreational fisheries data collection programs.
  • Enter data into electronic databases and perform data quality assurance/quality control checks according to standardized protocols.
  • Perform statistical analyses of fisheries data.
  • Prepare annual reports summarizing sampling activity and data analyses.
  • Serve as a member of Technical Committees of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
  • Assist in developing grant proposals.
  • Advise Marine Fisheries Program leadership on regulation of marine recreational and commercial fisheries in Connecticut.
  • Represent the Department and engage with stakeholders in a variety of public venues.
  • More details can be found in the class specification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles and methods of fisheries management; knowledge of environmental and human factors involved in production, management and harvesting of stocks of marine and anadromous fishes and invertebrates; ability to conduct fishery surveys and oceanographic studies and apply statistical procedures necessary for sound conclusions; ability to identify marine flora and fauna; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in marine and/or anadromous 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 have:

  • Master's degree in fisheries management or related scientific field as defined above.
  • Experience conducting statistical analyses of fisheries data.
  • Experience with common fisheries data management and statistical analysis software packages (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SAS, R).
  • Experience in building and maintaining large relational databases.
  • Experience using ESRI/GIS software and conducting geo-spatial analyses.
  • Experience in planning, designing, and implementing fisheries field surveys.
  • Experience in hiring, training, and leading fisheries field sampling teams/crews.
  • Experience or working knowledge of use, maintenance, and repair of common marine fisheries sampling gears.
  • Experience in identifying common Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. marine fish and invertebrate species.
  • Experience with Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. marine recreational fisheries, with respect to species commonly targeted and methods commonly used by recreational anglers.
  • Experience working aboard fisheries survey vessels.
  • Experience working in a team environment to accomplish programmatic goals.
  • Experience preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts.
  • Demonstrated success in acquiring outside funding via grant writing.

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.