STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

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

Recruitment #220509-3911EE-001

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Introduction

    

Looking to play a role in protecting Connecticut's environment?
If so, we encourage you to check out this opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Bureau of Natural Resources is seeking to hire an EP Fisheries Biologist 1 to work in the Habitat Conservation and Enhancement (HCE) Program within the Fisheries Division.

POSITION DETAILS
The Department is seeking expertise to support habitat protection and restoration initiatives for the waters of Connecticut. 

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
  • Reviewing construction permit applications statewide (primary responsibility for projects affecting inland waters in western CT), including office review of submitted permit application materials, on-site field visits, inspections, and meetings, and communications between the applicant, agency permit analysts, and other HCE staff;
  • Developing written comments, making recommendations for fish and aquatic habitat protection, enhancement, restoration and possible mitigation as conditions may warrant; 
  • On-site verification of proper installation of required features (e.g. boulder clusters, rock vanes, root wads) based on permit conditions;
  • Working both independently and as a member of a team, with more independence anticipated as knowledge and experience is gained;
  • Supporting triploid grass carp permitting in geographically defined areas, may review permits for aquatic herbicides and algaecides proposed for use in the state’s public waters, and may review plans submitted to conduct winter drawdowns of lakes;
  • Sampling waterbodies for fish populations either as part of HCE activities or to assist Division colleagues in other projects;
  • Reviewing a variety of other management plans that have the potential to impact fish and fish habitat (e.g. Forest Management Plans);
  • Leading fish kill investigations in the inland waters of western CT as needed;
  • Attending and representing the Department at meetings of various state and regional committees that have fisheries management responsibilities;
  • Writing technical reports;
  • Giving presentations to both professional groups and the general public.
This position is 35 hours per week, typically first shift, but hours may vary according to out of office or out of state meeting needs, or due to weather related emergency conditions. The person selected for this position may participate in monthly meetings with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and may be assigned to other standing or ad hoc working groups.

The selected person will be assigned to the Western Area Office (currently in Harwinton) or the Fisheries Field Office in Litchfield and may have some statewide responsibilities requiring the need to spend some time in field offices in Marlborough and Old Lyme and the Central Office in Hartford.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

For an inside look at what it's like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut Employee, check out the video below:
         
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. 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.

The Fisheries Division engages in the following basic approach in support of habitat protection and restoration initiatives for the waters of Connecticut:

Staff advise both state and federal regulators on the need for protective measures for fish populations and habitat for projects requiring state or Federal permits. Projects include the replacement of bridges and culverts, the diversion of surface water and groundwater, dredging, filling or modification of waterways, streambank and riparian alteration, discharge of effluent into waterways, utility crossings of streams and other water bodies, winter drawdowns of lakes, use of aquatic herbicides and algaecides, and review of hydropower license applications issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure sufficient flow regimes, avoid and minimize risk to fish associated with impingement and entrainment, and ensure effective upstream and downstream fish passage conditions for migratory fishes. Regulatory programs that administer permits send HCE staff permit applications and plans for HCE review and comment. When negative impacts are unavoidable, staff often work with permit analysts to propose either on-site or off-site mitigation measures. Staff also review timber management plans, watershed plans, streamflow management regulations and other management plans proposed by other divisions of the Department that can affect fish and fish habitat. Staff provide technical assistance to municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and private property owners on the protection and management of fish habitat. Staff also work with partners on habitat restoration projects, such as installing fish structures in streams and lakes, restoring and stabilizing eroded streambanks, removing dams and restoring natural stream channels. HCE staff also conduct field sampling and investigations to support the many listed activities. The program also administers a triploid (i.e., sterile) grass carp permitting program wherein these fish are allowed for use by others on a restrictive case by case basis as a means to control nuisance aquatic vegetation.

Selection Plan

This is an Open to the Public, competitive position.

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.
  • 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 this position should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

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

Develops statistically valid research methodology; calculates growth rates of fish populations; analyzes data; calculates area, volume and depth of lakes and ponds; collects samples of the fish population using nets and specialized equipment; collects and identifies samples of bottom organisms and computes the weight and number of fish food organisms; determines the dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide content present in water; prepares and analyzes growth curves of all species of fish collected; analyzes data and submits recommendations for laws, regulations and management; makes statistical estimates of fish populations; tests and evaluates various chemicals for use as aquatic weed killers; calculates chemical dosage, prescribes methods of application and supervises the treatment for weed control; recommends type and amount of fish to be stocked; submits tentative projects of an investigational nature for land acquisition or development; plans and prepares special reports for submission to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; gives testimony in court as an expert witness for the state; acts as consultant to private landowners; participates in educational work of the agency; may give talks to service clubs and other organizations; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles and methods of fisheries management; knowledge of environmental and human factors involved in the production, management and cropping of stocks of fishes; some knowledge of standard methods of water analysis used in fishery work; some knowledge of microcomputers; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to conduct fishery surveys and to apply statistical procedures necessary for sound conclusions; ability to identify fishes, aquatic insects and aquatic plants; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in inland 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

  • Experience with the collection, identification, and measurement of freshwater fish species.
  • Experience with fish habitat, habitat protection, and habitat restoration in fresh waters.
  • Experience with side scan sonar and software packages used to assess the association between fish and aquatic habitat features such as submerged aquatic vegetation, large woody debris, natural substrates, and artificial habitat structures.
  • Experience with statistical analysis of fish populations
  • Experience with GIS, and use of database programs such as Excel, Access, Sequel Server, and R.
  • Experience speaking to groups about Natural Resources Management (Fisheries science, biological sciences), and experience writing technical reports of a scientific nature (Fisheries science, biological sciences).
  • Experience with instream flow studies, methodologies and management.
  • Experience identifying and managing aquatic plant species.
  • Experience interpreting site plans or engineered drawings
  • Experience applying for and managing grants including reporting on grant funded activities.

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.





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