Marine Fisheries Program

Recruitment #230119-3492VR-001

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Introduction

Are you looking to help protect Connecticut's beautiful marine landscape? If so, we have a terrific seasonal opportunity for you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Bureau of Natural Resources, Marine Fisheries Program is recruiting for Seasonal Resource Assistants (SRAs) to work within four different projects (each project described in more detail below). SRAs will be hired to work for a particular project and will spend all or most of their time working for that project. Each project is based out of our DEEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme, Connecticut.  Employees must be able to drive to Old Lyme each workday to participate in office or field work. 

Applicants to this job posting will be considered for employment for each project and may be contacted by hiring managers for any of the projects to arrange an interview (interviews can be conducted virtually if an in-person interview is not possible). Work as an SRA for any of these projects provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of fisheries management. SRAs will work both under direct supervision and independently at times. Successful SRAs within the Marine Fisheries Program are highly responsible, eager to learn, work well within a team-work environment, and are also capable of working independently.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE (See details under EXAMPLES OF DUTIES section)

SRAs for American Shad & Sturgeon Project: This project assesses and monitors populations of American shad, shortnose sturgeon, and Atlantic sturgeon populations within coastal rivers and Long Island Sound. All three species are of conservation concern; shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon are State and Federally-listed Endangered Species. Working for this project provides a great introduction to conservation of endangered species as well as common fisheries management field and laboratory techniques, notably the use of hydroacoustic telemetry technology. SRAs working for this project will spend time in the field assisting a team of fellow SRAs and professional biologists with fish collection aboard small vessels, as well as work within the laboratory processing biological samples and entering data. SRAs working for this project will also learn how to process and analyze biological samples to determine fish age, a foundational fisheries management skillset.

SRAs for Long Island Sound Trawl Survey Project: This project monitors the abundance and distribution of important finfish and invertebrate species within Long Island Sound. Working for this project provides a great introduction to the fish and invertebrate species of Long Island Sound, working as part of the crew of a large marine research vessel, as well as common fisheries management field and laboratory techniques. SRAs working for this project will spend time working aboard the 50 ft. Research Vessel (R/V) John Dempsey with a team of fellow SRAs and professional biologists using a trawl net to collect fish and invertebrates, as well as work within the laboratory processing biological samples and entering data. SRAs working for this project will also learn how to process and analyze biological samples to determine fish age, a foundational fisheries management skillset. Applicants interested in this project should be aware that at certain times of the year it requires successive long days (approx. 12 hrs, with early morning start times) aboard the R/V Dempsey working in physically challenging conditions, sometimes in inclement weather. Applicants for this project must be able to lift and move 50 lbs.