Environmental Protection Program Specialist (Natural Resources) Recruitment # 250922-3429EE-001 Location Hartford, CT Date Opened 9/25/2025 12:30:00 PM Salary $84,357 - $120,941/year Job Type Open to Agency Employees Close Date 10/22/2025 11:59:00 PM Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) + + + + Introduction The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ( DEEP (https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP) ) is recruiting for an Environmental Protection Program Specialist (Natural Resources) (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=3429EE&R1=undefined&R3=undefined) to join our team in Hartford. Position Highlights + This is an exciting opportunity to oversee and coordinate Connecticut's Forest Practice and Forest Products Marketing and Utilization programs which combined are tasked with promoting responsible management of 1.8 million acres of Connecticut woodlands, most of which are privately owned. + Housed within the Division of Forestry, these programs both regulate and promote the forest products industry and the Connecticut Grown Forest Products marketing campaign. + The EP Program Specialist will play a key role in regulating and enforcement as well as communicating and collaborating with forest-based businesses to help them thrive. This position offers tremendous variety from investigative law enforcement and judicial legal proceedings to forest product based economic promotion. + The schedule for this position is 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday. + Please visit the Examples of Duties section for more information. About Us Did you know despite Connecticut being the 4th most populated, it is also the 14th most forested state in the US? Connecticut’s forest products industries heavily influence Connecticut’s landscape and quality of life of its residence. With direct employment of over 7,700 people, Connecticut’s forest product businesses directly contribute $2.4 billion to Connecticut’s economy annually. This is accomplished through a tightly regulated, business friendly Forest Practices occupational license program and promotion of locally grown, sustainably harvested forest products. CT DEEP is charged with developing policies and programs to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, conserve, improve and protect Connecticut's natural resources and environment, and provide equitable access to broadband and affordable, clean and reliable energy to 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, equitable and prosperous economic future. Selection Plan FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en\_US) for additional support throughout the recruitment process. BEFORE YOU APPLY: + Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. + Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. + Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. + Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. + Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. + Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. + Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. AFTER YOU APPLY: + Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). + Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! + Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks. + The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. + Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Nick Naples at Nicholas.Naples@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence! PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK) In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for overseeing major, complex and/or specialized natural resources programs, grants and/or projects as well as acting as a technical advisor to field/staff. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES + Provide strategic oversight and leadership of DEEP’s Forest Practices Act and Forest Product Marketing and Utilization Programs. + Serve as the Environmental Conservation’s Branch primary investigative authority on Agency property encroachments requiring tree appraisals pursuant to Connecticut General Statues Section 52-560a(d). + Oversee and coordinate the occupational licensing program for foresters and loggers. + Coordinate and Manage the Forest Practices Act Advisory Board. + Submit recommendations for developing rules and regulations governing forestry programs. + Develop or assist in the development of Forest Practices policy. + Serve as Connecticut’s regional State Forest Agency’s Foresty Products Marketing and Utilization expert. + Pursue competitive and con-competitive funding opportunities (e.g., grants) to secure key resources for the Forest Products Marketing and Utilization Program. + Develop and maintain statewide forest product resource datasets, including but not limited to timber production outputs. + Conduct and analyze or assist in the analysis of socioeconomic research and use data to inform the status of forestry resources and management thereof + Present and provide educational opportunities for statewide and regional audiences. + May coordinate or direct firefighting, protection and control activities when required. + Serve as the Bureau's lead for multi-jurisdictional forestry commissions or similar entities that require technical support. + Performs related duties as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY + Considerable knowledge of + fisheries and wildlife biology and management; + fish and wildlife habitat and environmental factors affecting fish and wildlife populations; + Knowledge of principles and practices of silviculture; + Considerable + oral and written communication skills; + interpersonal skills; + Ability to + prepare and administer grants; + evaluate natural resources program effectiveness; + utilize computer software; + Supervisory ability. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE Eight (8) years of technical experience in fisheries, forestry or wildlife management. NOTE: Fisheries management is defined as work requiring a knowledge of scientific fields such as ichthyology, fishery biology, fish population dynamics, ecology, limnology, fish taxonomy, fishery statistics, aquatic entomology and aquatic psychology. Forest management is defined as work requiring a knowledge of scientific fields such as dendrology, silvics and silviculture, engineering, forest economics, forest influences and forest pathology, urban forestry, entomology and application of their principles to productions of goods and services. Wildlife management is defined as work requiring knowledge of scientific fields such as wildlife biology, zoology, entomology, ornithology, mammalogy, dendrology, wildlife ecology, wildlife taxonomy and statistics. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED + College training in biology, fisheries management, forestry or wildlife management or a 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. + A Master's degree in biology, fisheries management, forestry or wildlife management or a related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS + Experience applying for competitive and non-competitive funding opportunities pertaining to forest products marketing and utilization. + Experience managing one or more grant programs. + Experience composing and disseminating statewide forest products industry economic data. + Experience developing or assisting in the development of forest practices enforcement policy. + Experience providing Agency encroachment support for unauthorized forest tree vandalism and removal including forest and tree appraisals per Connecticut General Statues Section 52-560a(d). + Experience with forest practice regulatory compliance assisting state and municipal authorities pertaining to environmental regulatory enforcement. + Experience liaising with internal and external program partners and stakeholders. 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. Click on a link below to apply for this position: Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online