Are you an experienced forestry professional with a desire to work in fire prevention and control?

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Division of Forestry is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer to oversee our program and training for the entire western region of Connecticut.

If you are up for this challenge and a resident of Connecticut's Western region, we invite you to apply!

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

What we can offer you:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 by 'Forbes'. This national recognition comes from offering job growth, competitive benefits and flexible scheduling for our employees!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• WORK SCHEDULE: The work week is unscheduled, with most business being conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. This position works occasional nights and weekends.
• WORK HOURS PER WEEK: This is a full time 40 hour per week position with the potential for overtime.
• LOCATION: This position is in the Western District (primarily west of the Connecticut River), servicing the entire western region of Connecticut. The office location is the Joseph W. Bigwood Forest Fire Control Headquarters (Middlebury Garage) in Middlebury, CT.

Special Note: Incumbents in this class may be required to live on or near work site.

ABOUT US

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.

YOUR ROLE

The Forest Protection Program is within the Division of Forestry. Forest Protection Program staff maintain an active forest fire prevention program and a specially trained force of firefighting personnel to combat fires that burn an average of 500 acres of woodland per year in Connecticut. Program staff also train and mobilize crews and individuals to assist the US Forest Service in controlling large fires across the nation.

Fire Departments depend on Program staff for wildland fire training, equipment, assistance, and expertise. The state is divided into two geographic regions for response and management.

As the Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer, primary duties include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing the maintenance of the Bigwood Forest Fire Headquarters and the fire equipment and apparatus associated with the Western District;
• Training of DEEP staff who have wildfire response in their job duties, serving as liaison and trainer for fire departments located in the Western District region;
• Training Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew members;
• Acting as State contact and coordinator on wildfire response in Western Connecticut;
• Assisting other fire control officers as needed;
• Other duties assigned on a statewide basis.

More details can be found in the class specification.

Want a preview of what this role encompasses? Check out DEEP's 2023 Virtual Wildland Fire Training Video: 

This is a competitive recruitment, open to the public.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS RECRUITMENT:

• Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license, acquire a Commercial Driver’s License, obtain, and retain a standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate.
• 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.
• Special Note: Incumbents in this class may be required to live on or near work site. In this case residency in Western CT is a requirement.

TO APPLY:

• Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
• Please ensure that your application and professional experience is thorough and complete. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU APPLY:

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

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, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Other Notes:

• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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

Should you have any questions about the position, please contact Samantha Rivera, Human Resources Specialist – Talent Solutions at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov

Stay connected with the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Natural Resources this class is accountable for a program of forest fire prevention and control in an assigned area or on a statewide basis.

Knowledge of principles and factors involved in combustion, particularly in relation to forest fires, including weather, fuel types, fuel density and heat transfer; knowledge of principles, methods and equipment used in fire prevention and control in Connecticut; knowledge of forest and forest fire laws and regulations in Connecticut; knowledge of techniques of forest fire investigation including gathering evidence; knowledge of principles and practices of forest management; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop and direct a large scale program of instruction and training in forest fire prevention and control; ability to utilize computer software.

Seven (7) years of experience in a large scale program of forestry and forest fire control.

College training in forestry or a closely related field 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.

• Experience utilizing principles and practices of forest fire suppression and control, and forestry.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of forest fire equipment.
• Experience working with National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications, Incident Command System, and the Incident Qualification System.
• Experience as an instructor.
• Experience in administering or leading forestry or fire programs, including community wildlife prevention education and mitigation.
• Experience with geospatial mapping tools and software programs including electronic data collection, analysis, and data base management.
• Experience communicating in person, on the phone, and in writing with constituents, including coworkers and the public.
• Experience hosting public meetings, including meeting record keeping and associated meeting minutes.

1. Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
2. Incumbents in this class must be willing and able to accept assignments or transfer to any area of the state.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and retain a standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to live on or near work site.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

1. Incumbents in this class must be in good health and must have and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, visual and auditory acuity to effectively perform the duties of the class.
2. A physical examination may be required prior to and/or during employment in the class.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury in performing the duties of the class and to unpleasant and/or uncomfortable environmental 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.