Overview

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has an exciting opportunity for a Seasonal Resource Assistant in the Habitat Management Program.
The mission of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Wildlife Division is to advance the conservation, use, and appreciation of Connecticut’s wildlife resources. The Division’s Habitat Management Program supports this mission by managing for a diversity of habitats on our system of 112 state-owned wildlife management areas, as well as state forests and other state and private lands. These lands support wildlife-based recreation, including hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing and the Habitat Program is responsible for managing and maintaining these areas to support that use. A range of techniques are used to manage habitat, including forest harvests, mulching and mowing, prescribed burning, invasive plant control, and open marsh water management. Areas require a variety of maintenance to support safe public access for wildlife-based recreation. Individuals will have the opportunity to work closely with state agency wildlife biologists and a wide range of staff responsible for managing wildlife habitat across the state.

Position highlights

In this role, you will support the Habitat Management Program by performing the following duties under direct supervision of Wildlife Biologists:

  • Use ArcMap10.3 to create, organize, and maintain maps for state and private land habitat management assessments, plans, projects, site designations, hunting review team reports, and various technical guidance;
  • Gather and summarize data to provide a range of technical assistance to private landowners, conservation groups, and municipal, state, and federal agencies via oral and written communication;
  • Update and maintain project and expenditure tracking data bases;
  • Assess state and private land habitat for wildlife habitat management potential via site visits to aid in preparation of habitat management plans and projects proposals and/or technical assistance;
  • Assist in the preparation of general technical assistance material in cooperation with Natural Resources Conservation Service and other conservation partners as needed;
  • Conduct field inspections of State agricultural lands to document land use activities and Licensee compliance with established license agreements;
  • Respond to phone calls from the public relating to various Wildlife Division programs and responsibilities (e.g., state land access, hunting regulations, wildlife identification, wildlife-human conflicts, etc.), and provide written guidance and outreach materials as needed; and
  • Other duties may include assisting seasonal maintainers, and/or biologists with habitat management field tasks including vegetative surveys, boundary posting, and mowing and herbiciding to control invasives.

Duties

The employee will support the Habitat Management Program by performing the following duties under direct supervision of Wildlife Biologists:

  • Using ArcMap10.3 to create, organize, and maintain maps for state and private land habitat management assessments, plans, projects, site designations, hunting review team reports, and various technical guidance;
  • Gather and summarize data to provide a range of technical assistance to private landowners, conservation groups, and municipal, state, and federal agencies via oral and written communication;
  • Update and maintain project and expenditure tracking data bases;
  • Assess state and private land habitat for wildlife habitat management potential via site visits to aid in preparation of habitat management plans and projects proposals and/or technical assistance,
  • Assist in the preparation of general technical assistance material in cooperation with Natural Resources Conservation Service and other conservation partners as needed;
  • Conduct field inspections of State agricultural lands to document land use activities and Licensee compliance with established license agreements.
  • Respond to phone calls from the public relating to various Wildlife Division programs and responsibilities (e.g., state land access, hunting regulations, wildlife identification, wildlife-human conflicts, etc.), and provide written guidance and outreach materials as needed.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Ability to follow instructions.

Special Requirements

  • Incumbents in this class who are assigned as supervisors of small recreational units will perform emergency first aid as needed and will be required to obtain and retain a Basic First Aid Certificate.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required for certain positions to meet any of the following:
  • Proof of possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Operator license.
  • Possession of a valid license to apply pesticides.
  • College training in a specific field.
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification may be required by specific State facilities.
  • Incumbents performing lifeguard services must have and retain an American Red Cross (ARC) Lifeguarding Certification (includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Basic First Aid). An EMT or MRT certification may be substituted for the CPR and First Aid requirements.

Physical Requirements

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain adequate physical strength and stamina to perform the duties of the class.
  • Incumbents performing lifeguard services must be able to demonstrate American Red Cross (ARC) waterfront lifeguarding swimming skills.