Environmental Protection Program Specialist (35 hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), State Parks and Public Outreach Division is currently recruiting for a Recreation Program Specialist in Hartford to lead the Commercial Services and Special Events program.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS:

• To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
• 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!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

The Recreation Program Specialist position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to improve and enhance the public outdoor recreation experience in Connecticut State Parks and Forests by overseeing the Commercial Services & Special Events Program. DEEP is exploring adding services in state parks through partnerships including special use licenses, requests for information (RFI), requests for proposals (RFP), leases, itinerant vending licenses and concessionaire agreements. The position would work with the public, stakeholder groups, park staff, and internal divisions to review these applications for events and commercial services offered in our parks, as well as conducting technical reviews, and evaluating impacts to the parks and other uses, and issuing licenses or other agreements for approved activities. The Recreation Program Specialist will also be responsible to build relationships with existing commercial services and events partnerships, and work with DEEP leadership to develop new outdoor recreation opportunities and enhancements.

Duties of this position may include, but are not limited to (See "Examples of Duties" section for more):

• Fielding initial contact from applicants seeking special use licenses or concessionaire agreements, and determining when special use licenses are required
• Managing an RFI or RFP process.
• Managing the application process from initial contact through execution and permit issuance.
• Communicating regularly with applicants and DEEP staff throughout the application process.
• Maintaining highly detailed and organized records of all application materials, with a focus on ensuring that event dates and locations are reserved and so noted.
• Serving as a resource to DEEP staff, as well as the public on all matters related to organized or atypical use of a state park or forest recreation area, park regulations, and other special uses of our parks, as well as best practices.
• Providing support to DEEP leadership’s work to explore collaboration with the private and/or non-profit sector to foster new partnerships, offer additional outdoor recreation resources, programs and services to the public.
• Serving as liaison for State Parks to other agencies, municipalities, corporations, non-profits and volunteer groups.
• Providing division-wide technical training and support.
• Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to support department wide goals in the advancement of outdoor recreation and trail use across Connecticut.
• Compiling and analyzing data regarding park use and making recommendations based on trends in usage.

The position will work out of our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historic Bushnell Park.

This is a full time, 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday position with an option for telework some portion of the week. Some night and weekend work and travel are expected.

OUR MISSION

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.

Learn more about what it's like to be an employee at the State of Connecticut: 

This is a Competitive recruitment, open to the public.

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.

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

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, this class is accountable for overseeing major, complex and/or specialized recreation programs and/or projects as well as acting as a technical advisor to field/staff.

This position provides a unique opportunity to join a team committed to working with the public to support recreation or conservation focused activities held in our parks, while ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal environmental and safety requirements and minimally impacting park operations and public access.

Specific responsibilities of the Recreation Program Specialist will include but not be limited to:

• Oversees the Special Use License Application process in its entirety, which involves fielding initial contacts and inquiries, maintaining records of available dates, coordinating technical reviews, issuing executing licenses and tracking invoice payments.
• Evaluates special use license applications and works with park staff to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental and health and safety requirements, as well as park regulations.
• Maintains a clear line of communications through the application process with applicants and DEEP staff.
• Maintains highly detailed records and spreadsheets, files application materials appropriately, organizes applications by park location and by date to ensure that they can be accommodated. Prioritizes work to abide by internal and external deadlines and needs.
• Coordinates and implements updates to forms, processes, and operation plans. Develops and prepares operations guidance documents, standardized forms, explanatory memos, and other written material as necessary to clarify, describe, and implement program and system processes in a consistent, accurate, readable, and timely manner.
• Makes timely updates to web pages relating to special use licenses to ensure accurate and complete information is available to the public, to include providing text, photos, and other guidance.
• Coordinates and/or oversees training programs, technical support, and direction to statewide staff on programs. Reviews and/or advises staff and applicants on public recreation rules and regulations as it relates to activities and events. Advises and/or instructs Park and Recreation Supervisors on programs, policies and regulations involving recreational resource management.
• Supervises staff as assigned to assist in all functions of the Special Use License program, public-private partnerships, and any other associated programs which support the diverse administrative aspects relating to the Division of State Parks and Public Outreach’s varied administrative and business needs in support of our mission.
• Researches, compiles, analyzes, and maintains data on park operations, including, but not limited to park visitation and other data and prepares specialized financial and system status reports for use by senior leadership, and division staff in program evaluation and planning. Assists in preparation of division budget.
• Coordinates with interagency staff to manage and advance visitor experiences at CT State Parks. Analyzes trends and evaluates changing needs; makes recommendations to improve operations, support the public interest in holding activities in our parks, and expand recreational opportunities. Prepares long range plans for recreation areas including determination of present and future needs for resource based public outdoor recreation programs. Consults with park staff, other divisions and to resolve issues affecting the visitor experience in CT State Parks.
• Coordinates with supervisor and other division staff to support projects and program administration, to include responding to correspondence and performing research.
• Supports the Park Division’s general customer service functions by responding to inquiries and/or communications via phone, email, and social media.
• Performs related duties as required.

For a full list of duties related to this job classification, please click here.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of park administration, operation and maintenance; considerable knowledge of land use planning and/or design; knowledge and ability to initiate and direct natural resource management programs; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to utilize computer software; ability to read and/or interpret architectural and engineering documents; some supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years of technical experience in the development, operation and maintenance of parks and outdoor recreation facilities.

1. College training in natural resources management, park administration or related 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 natural resources management, park administration or related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

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.