Environmental Protection Wildlife Biologist 1 (35 Hour)

Calling all Biologists! 

Do you have a passion for wildlife conservation and protecting natural diversity through the use of technology and other resources? If so, we have an opportunity for you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking an Environmental Protection Wildlife Biologist 1 to support the Wildlife Division's Natural Diversity Database Program.

We invite you to explore this unique and important position to protect our rare species here in Connecticut!

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

• SCHEDULE: 8:30AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
• HOURS PER WEEK: 35 hours
• LOCATION: Hartford, CT

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

This position will be assigned to the Wildlife Division's Natural Diversity Database Program.

The Natural Diversity Database program conducts environmental reviews and assessments to protect native wildlife and plant species and unique ecological communities and works with a variety of stakeholders to conserve, restore and enhance state and federally listed species populations and their habitats.

Specific responsibilities of this position will include but not be limited to:

• Respond to requests for information and reviews projects proposed by private, federal, state, regional, and local agencies in order to assess potential impacts to rare species.
• Prepare reports and written recommendations based on analysis of findings including avoidance, restoration and/or mitigation procedures regarding impacts to rare species.
• Collaborate in determining which species need protection as endangered, threatened, or special concern under the state endangered species act.
• Contribute to the development of program data and products, including but not limited to, measures that will avoid impacts to listed species and new mapping products.
• Conduct literature and research reviews relevant to listed species.
• Achieve and apply proficiency in use of NDDB’s Biotics database.
• Apply proficiency including ArcGIS and database management, to enter, analyze and interpret survey data and to create maps.
• Participate in committees whose goals include advancing understanding of listed species.
• Collaborate with advocacy groups and partner organizations implementing on-the-ground conservation measures.

More details can be found in the class specification.

This is a competitive recruitment, open to the public.

TO APPLY

• Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
• Please include any degree(s) or academic experience in Wildlife Management within your application. 
• 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

• Knowledge of
  • habits and ecology of wildlife species; 
  • principles and practices of wildlife management including habitat management, development and manipulation of land resources; 
  • soil requirements of wildlife food crops; 
  • methods and procedures for identifying and controlling nuisance wildlife; 
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Considerable ability to conduct wildlife and vegetative surveys and to apply the statistical procedures necessary for sound conclusions; 
• Ability to
  • identify plants and plant associations which serve as wildlife food or cover; 
  • utilize computer software.

• Experience with state and federally listed vertebrate and invertebrate fauna.
• Experience with monitoring and inventory techniques, interpreting, and applying results of species inventory field survey data at the site level.
• Training and experience utilizing Natural Heritage methodology or Biotics Biodiversity Data Modeling, including rare animal species.
• Experience interpreting and utilizing research to develop and evaluate conservation strategies and protection practices.
• Experience evaluating land use and land management plans, including components pertaining to the needs of wildlife species, including balancing multiple-use land conflicts.
• Experience communicating technical information pertaining to rare species' conservation verbally and in writing to scientists, land managers, policy makers, and the public.
• Experience manipulating data, navigating, and conducting queries in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) software, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcOnline.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignment or transfer to any area of the state.

• 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.
• A physical examination will be required.

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.