Environmental Protection Seasonal Resource Assistant

Wildlife Management - Habitat Program WHAMM

Recruitment #220104-3492VR-001

Location

Madison, CT

Date Opened

1/6/2022 12:00:00 AM

Salary

$13.00 - $14.00/hour

Close Date

1/21/2022 11:59:00 PM

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

Are you an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for wildlife?

If so, discover this opportunity to join our seasonal team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Wildlife Division is seeking to hire a Seasonal Resource Assistant to work within the Wetland Habitat and Mosquito Management (WHAMM) Program.

This position will assist in conducting habitat enhancement projects on wildlife management areas and other properties statewide. The main work location will be DEEP's Wetland Restoration Unit in Madison, CT.

Our Mission:

The mission of the DEEP Wildlife Division is to advance the conservation, use, and appreciation of Connecticut's wildlife resources. The Division's Habitat Management Program supports this mission by managing for a diversity of habitats on our system of 109 state-owned wildlife management areas, as well as state forests and other state and private lands. These lands support wildlife-based recreation, including hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing and the Habitat Program is responsible for managing and maintaining these areas to support that use.

A range of techniques are used to manage habitat, including forest harvests, mulching and mowing, prescribed burning, invasive plant control, and open marsh water management. Areas require a variety of maintenance to support safe public access for wildlife-based recreation. Individuals will have the opportunity to work closely with state agency wildlife biologists and a wide range of staff responsible for managing wildlife habitat across the state.

Position Highlights:

The position is 35-40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between 7:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (hours are flexible).
The pay rate is between $13.00 to $14.00 per hour depending on relevant education and experience. No benefits will be included, except paid holiday leave after 90 calendar days of employment.
The approximate length of the position is six months. The positions duration will not exceed 1,030 hours.

Contact Information:

For technical support regarding the filing of your application in JobAps, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov.

Any questions regarding these positions must be made directly to Roger Wolfe at Roger.Wolfe@ct.gov or (860) 418-5987.

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

The minimum age required for this position is 18 years old.

Candidates must have:

A valid motor vehicle operator's license;
A willingness and ability to obtain a DEEP (governmental) pesticide applicator's license and assist in applying pesticides (herbicides and mosquito insecticides). Please note: training, study documents and testing will be provided by DEEP at no extra cost to the employee.
The willingness to possess and maintain adequate physical strength and stamina to perform the required duties.
Knowledge of habitat management practices for wildlife and invasive plant identification preferably.

The employee must be willing to work out of doors in natural habitats in a variety of adverse weather conditions and under potentially hazardous field conditions (e.g., bee stings or insect bites, poison ivy, rocky or uneven terrain, etc).

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as a limited duration employee, performs one or more of a variety of tasks and assigned duties of a seasonal nature.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The employee will assist the WHAMM Program in conducting mosquito control and habitat enhancement projects on state, Federal and private lands by performing any of the following duties under the daily supervision of Habitat Program Wildlife Biologists, Mosquito Control Specialists and Maintainers: (1) maintaining parking lots and service roads (e.g., trash pick-up, mowing, weed control); (2) constructing, installing and maintaining signs; (3) clearing downed trees; (4) painting and installing gates; (5) controlling invasive plants and maintaining early successional habitats (e.g., old fields, grasslands, shrublands, young forests) through mechanical means and herbicide applications; (6) planting trees and shrubs; (7) installing or maintaining deer proof fencing; (8) maintaining water control structures and clearing dams of invading vegetation; (9) constructing, installing and monitoring nest boxes; (10) maintaining the WHAMM Unit’s office building, grounds and associated facilities, including outbuildings, and parking areas (e.g., lawn mowing, grounds upkeep, trash removal, cleaning restrooms and office area, washing windows, cleaning floors, painting and staining); (11) inspecting inland and coastal wetlands for mosquito larvae treating mosquito breeding areas with approved insecticides, and 12) other duties as assigned. Opportunities to assist on other field projects (e.g., Canada goose banding, bird surveys, forest inventory, public outreach, etc.) may be made available as time allows and according to employee interest.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Ability to follow instructions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will possess:

Experience in towing utility trailers (max. 20 feet; under 10,000 lbs.), operating and maintaining chainsaws, brush saws and other power tools, lawn and brush mowers and spray equipment (backpack units (up to 40lbs) and truck mounted tank);
Experience using maps to locate sites and keep a written record of existing land uses, maintenance needs, and daily activities/accomplishments;
Experience working well as a part of a team, but also independently.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class who are assigned as supervisors of small recreational units will perform emergency first aid as needed and will be required to obtain and retain a Basic First Aid Certificate.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required for certain positions to meet any of the following:

a. Proof of possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Operator license.

b. Possession of a valid license to apply pesticides.

c. College training in a specific field.

d. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification may be required by specific State facilities.

3. Incumbents performing lifeguard services must have and retain an American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguarding Certification (includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Basic First Aid). An EMT or MRT certification may be substituted for the CPR and First Aid requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain adequate physical strength and stamina to perform the duties of the class.

2. Incumbents performing lifeguard services must be able to demonstrate American Red Cross (ARC) waterfront lifeguarding swimming skills.

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.