Deadline: Mon, 10/03/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: Connecticut Location Detail: Middlebury, CT Job Description: The Forest Protection Program is within the Division of Forestry. Forest Protection Program staff maintain an active forest fire prevention program and a specially trained force of firefighting personnel to combat fires that burn an average of 500 acres of woodland per year in Connecticut. Program staff also train and mobilize crews and individuals to assist the US Forest Service in controlling large fires across the nation. Fire Departments depend on Program staff for wildland fire training, equipment, assistance, and expertise. The state is divided into two geographic regions for response and management. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Division of Forestry is seeking to hire a full-time, permanent Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer assigned within a geographic area. This position is in the Western District (primarily west of the Connecticut River), servicing the entire western region of Connecticut. The office location is the Joseph W. Bigwood Forest Fire Control Headquarters (Middlebury Garage) in Middlebury. POSITION HIGHLIGHTS This is a full time 40 hour per week position with the potential for overtime. The work week is unscheduled, with most business being conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. This position works occasional nights and weekends. Incumbents in this class may be required to live on or near work site. Primary duties include, but are not limited to: Overseeing the maintenance of the Bigwood Forest Fire Headquarters and the fire equipment and apparatus associated with the Western District; Training of DEEP staff who have wildfire response in their job duties, serving as liaison and trainer for fire departments located in the Western District region; Training Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew members; Acting as State contact and coordinator on wildfire response in western Connecticut; Assisting other fire control officers as needed; Other duties assigned on a statewide basis. 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! Qualifications: KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY Knowledge of principles and factors involved in combustion, particularly in relation to forest fires, including weather, fuel types, fuel density and heat transfer; knowledge of principles, methods and equipment used in fire prevention and control in Connecticut; knowledge of forest and forest fire laws and regulations in Connecticut; knowledge of techniques of forest fire investigation including gathering evidence; knowledge of principles and practices of forest management; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop and direct a large scale program of instruction and training in forest fire prevention and control; ability to utilize computer software. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE Seven (7) years of experience in a large scale program of forestry and forest fire control. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED College training in forestry or a closely related field 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. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience utilizing principles and practices of forest fire suppression and control and forestry; Experience operating and maintaining portable pumps and fire engines, preferably wildland fire engines; Single resource boss qualified under national Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) or other operational leadership role in wildland fire; Experience with delegation, and use of the Incident Command System; Experience as a wildland fire instructor, developing wildland fire training programs, giving presentations, and using more than one training aid and method; Experience with chainsaws: qualified as a Faller 3 under NWCG, Game of Logging participant, or equivalent experience Experience with prescribed burn planning and implementation; Experience with software and electronic devices to collect and track data, create reports, maps, and forms. Salary: $71,499* - $95,592/year (*New state employees start at minimum) Benefits: Employee Benefits As a State of Connecticut employee you may be entitled to a host of benefits that are not only attractive, but also may be portable should your career bring you to other avenues of state service. From 12 paid holidays to accruing vacation time, being a State of Connecticut employee not only gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, but the time to enjoy your own. Listed below are just some of the benefits the State of Connecticut offers depending on the position you hold: Health & Dental Insurance Accrued Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave (Subject to the appropriate bargaining union contract or state statute and regulations.) Retirement Plan Group Life Insurance Supplemental Benefits Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care Program, Medical Flexible Spending, and Qualified Transportation) Supplemental Benefits Programs (Auto and Home Insurance, plus Short and Long Term Disability) Life Insurance State of CT Tuition Reimbursement Program Holidays How to Apply: Use this link to view job posting and application instructions: https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=220707&R2=3475PS&R3=001#ClickToApply Questions can be directed to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov
