STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Fisheries Biologist 1 (Marine) (35 Hour)

Recruitment #230126-3914EE-001

Introduction



Experienced in marine and/or anadromous fisheries management?
If so, we invite you to check out the outstanding opportunity below with the State of Connecticut!

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is looking to hire an EP Fisheries Biologist 1 (Marine) in Old Lyme.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
We take part in a competitive benefits plan which includes:
  • 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 healthy work-life balance to all employees!
Our state has a ton to offer - from fun activities, to great food, to diverse cultures. Learn more about Connecticut here.

POSITION DETAILS
This position will be responsible for providing expertise vital for sustainable fisheries management, quota monitoring, fish stock assessments, and complying with state statutes and federal mandates. The incumbent will be involved in meeting the agency’s responsibility to effectively and efficiently manage both commercial and recreational fisheries in Connecticut consistent with state policy articulated in the Coastal Management Act (22a-92(c)(1)(I)): “to manage the state's fisheries in order to promote the economic benefits of commercial and recreational fishing, enhance recreational fishing opportunities, optimize the yield of all species, prevent the depletion or extinction of indigenous species, maintain and enhance the productivity of natural estuarine resources and preserve healthy fisheries resources for future generations”. Additionally, the incumbent will be involved in the collection of fishery-dependent and independent data that are necessary to maintain compliance with mandatory elements of interstate fishery management plans of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) as enforced under the federal Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act. For the full range of position tasks, see the "Examples of Duties" section below.

The candidate will largely work with and under the guidance of the Supervisor of the Fisheries Statistics and Management Program on a variety of data related tasks. Some of the key traits of this candidate will be enthusiasm, passion, organization, ability to multi-task, and good communication and public relation skills. The ideal candidate will have strong data management skills as well as experience conducting statistical analysis using current versions of R, SAS and Microsoft Office software.

This is a full-time, 35 hours per week position on first shift based out of the CT DEEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme, CT.

ABOUT DEEP
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.


For an inside look at what it is like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut employee, watch the video here!

Selection Plan

Before you apply, make note of the following:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • This may require out of state and overnight travel and work aboard research vessels in variable weather. Must be fluent in English. Must be at least 18 years old. Must possess and maintain adequate physical flexibility, strength and stamina to perform the duties (able to lift 25 pounds).
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. 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 not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Important information for after you apply:
  • 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 questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • 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, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Questions about your application and JobAps should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@ct.gov. Questions specific to the position should be directed to Colleen Bouffard, Supervising Fisheries Biologist, via email at colleen.bouffard@ct.gov or by phone at 860-876-6881.

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

This position will perform critical data entry, data quality assurance/quality control, reporting compliance monitoring, field data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and data request fulfillment, as well as supporting verbal and written interactions and correspondence with peer professionals, regulated license holders and the general public. Duties will involve overseeing the day to day operations and administrative duties of the fishery management program. This position will also eventually represent the Marine Fisheries Program on species technical committees of the ASFMC.

Tasks include but are not limited to:
  • Responsible for the daily receipt, entry, quality control and organization of confidential CT commercial fishery trip level reports and seafood dealer transaction reports;
  • Respond to inquiries from the public and regulated license holders regarding state and federal marine fisheries rules and regulations;
  • Administer commercial fishery tag programs; oversee inventory and disbursement; responsible for accounting of tag issuance to license holders
  • Receipt, organization, routing and processing of routine business documents related to the commercial statistics program;
  • Assist with fishery dependent data collection and field sampling;
  • Entry and management of recreational marine fisheries data;
  • Training and oversight of seasonal office staff;
  • Receipt, sorting and distribution of the Marine Fisheries Program daily mail and phone correspondence.

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

  • Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Marine Biology, Fishery Management, or Natural Resource Management.
  • Experience using Statistical Analysis Software ©, R ©, or structured query language to analyze biological, catch, effort or landings data.
  • Experience using Access, Excel or PowerPoint to summarize and present biological, catch, effort, or landings data.
  • Experience with field sampling, including fishery-dependent sampling techniques.
  • Experience in customer service and working independently and in a team setting.
  • Experience in database management, including with the Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System.
  • Experience with North Atlantic commercial fishing gear, marine species identification, and state and federal laws governing Atlantic coast marine fisheries.

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.