Wildlife Habitat Management Program

Introduction

Wildlife Habitat Management Program

• Positions are needed year round 35-40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM. 
• Must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license.

Position Highlights:

• Crew Leader: Lead groups of seasonal maintainers. Must be a returning employee with knowledge of tasks, WMA properties, and our machinery used in the position.
• Maintainers: Maintain Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state and facilities in Burlington and Franklin. 
• Technical Assistant: Create and manages GIS maps and databases and assists with drafting documents and web content. 

Selection Plan

1. Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.

2. Ensure that your application is complete. Indicate within the application the location(s) and position(s) for which you are applying. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

3. Regularly check your email for notifications (be sure to check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error). These positions are hired on a rolling basis throughout the year as needed by seasonal workload and attrition. Qualified applicants will be contacted as positions become available. 

4. For questions about these positions, please contact: Marlborough - Ann Kilpatrick - Ann.Kilpatrick@ct.gov Burlington (Sessions WMA) - Pete Picone - Peter.Picone@ct.gov or Teresa Clark - Teresa.Clark@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as a limited duration employee, performs one or more of a variety of tasks and assigned duties of a seasonal nature.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

All applicants must be able to:

• Work as a team member or independently, be willing to work outdoors in natural habitats in a variety of adverse weather conditions and under potentially hazardous field conditions (e.g., bee stings or insect bites, poison ivy, rocky or uneven terrain);
• Be willing to obtain a DEEP pesticide applicator's license and assist in applying herbicides (training and certification provided with no cost to employee);
• Read paper and digital maps,navigate to worksites, and keep written records; and 
• Possess and maintain sufficient physical strength and stamina to perform the required duties.

Crew Leader:

• Oversight of other seasonal staff;
• Assisting in creating work plans and scheduling; 
• Using advanced abilities in specialized trades such as carpentry or small engine repair, operating chainsaws (if certified) or tractors with differing attachments (e.g., brush hog, backhoe); and 
• All duties of Seasonal Maintainer. 

Note: Crew Leaders must possess previous experience with the DEEP Wildlife Habitat Program and the ability to oversee other employees. They require proficiency with towing utility trailers, operating and maintaining power equipment, lawn and brush mowers, and all requirements for Seasonal Maintainer position. 

Seasonal Maintainer:

• Maintaining parking lots and service roads (e.g., trash pick-up, mowing, weed control); 
• Constructing, installing and maintaining signs; 
• Painting and installing gates; 
• Controlling invasive plants through mechanical means and herbicide applications; 
• Planting trees and shrubs;
• Maintaining water control structures and clearing dams; 
• Boundary posting; 
• Maintaining the Wildlife Division’s office buildings and grounds to include outbuildings, parking areas, service roads and shooting ranges at Franklin Swamp WMA and Sessions Woods WMA (may include trash removal, cleaning restrooms and kitchen area, washing windows, cleaning floors, painting and staining); 
• Maintenance of public shooting ranges in Glastonbury and Tolland; and
• Other duties as assigned.  

Note: Opportunities to assist on other field projects (e.g., Pheasant stocking, Canada goose banding, bird surveys, forest inventory, public outreach, etc.) according to employee interest.

Seasonal Technical Assistant:

• Using ArcMap/ArcPro 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; 
• Gathering and summarizing data via oral and written communication;
• Updating and maintaining project and expenditure tracking data bases; 
• Visiting sites to aid in preparation of habitat management plans and projects proposals and/or technical assistance;
• Assisting in the preparation of general technical assistance material ; 
• Conducting field inspections of State agricultural lands to document land use activities and Licensee compliance;
• Responding 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;
• Other duties may include assisting seasonal maintainers and/or biologists with any tasks included in Seasonal Maintainer position; and 
• Duties may include pelt tagging, data entry, basic report preparation, filing, and drafting purchase requests. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Ability to follow instructions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Seasonal Maintainer

• Experience towing utility trailers;
• Experience operating light and medium sized equipment (e.g., chainsaws, brush mowers and tractor w/bush hog, auger and backhoe attachments); 
• Experience with and utilizing trade skills (e.g., carpentry, woodworking, masonry, tree cutting); and
• Experience with janitorial work.

Seasonal Technical Assistant

• Experience working in/with Geographic Information System (GIS).

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.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.