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

The Bureau of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division, is seeking to hire an EP Fisheries Biologist 1 (Inland) within the Diadromous Fish Restoration Program.  The Department is seeking expertise to support and lead restoration initiatives for American Shad and river herring in watersheds across Connecticut. 

The Fisheries Division engages in the following basic approach in support of these restoration efforts. Streams are surveyed to determine which streams currently support shad and river herring runs and possess suitable habitat.  Most streams have been previously surveyed but each year we identify streams or stream segments for which we lack information.  Runs of shad and river herring are monitored to enumerate runs or otherwise characterize them for the purposes of tracking progress toward restoration goals for each specific stream, and to assess the status of river herring stocks in Connecticut, in respect to rebuilding from the population declines documented since the late 1980s.  Program staff transplant pre-spawn adults from healthy runs to streams where the run requires rebuilding.  Staff also collect biological data from Alewives at the Bride Lake trap, East Lyme, CT which is used to develop a population structure as an index for Alewife populations in the state and staff monitor the fall emigration of juvenile shad and river herring at key locations in the state to assess the reproductive success of the spring spawning season. 

Diadromous program staff also cooperate with other researchers and participate in various technical committees and working groups concerning river herring and also cooperate with researchers who are studying factors that influence river herring abundance.   More specifically, the person selected for this position will participate in Northeast River Herring Working Group (NERHWG) meetings with counterparts from others states, participate in the Technical Expert Working Group (TEWG) for River Herring, a coast-wide group of scientists, managers, harvesters, and conservationists all seeking to better understand river herring biology and promote conservation.  In addition, the person selected for this position may be tasked with participating in or supporting the American Shad and River Herring Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

This position is 35 hours per week, Mon through Fri., typically first shift, but hours may vary according to field sampling or out of office or out of state meeting needs. Position may require out of state and overnight travel and work aboard research vessels in sometimes harsh weather.

Applicants must upload a cover letter with their applications.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

(Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)  Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Teresa Munson, Teresa.munson@ct.gov,       (860) 424-3187.  

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

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.

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.

This specific position will lead efforts of monitoring annual runs of river herring in streams statewide and provide summaries of the status of such runs.  Activities will include the installation and operation of fish traps and electronic fish counters.  The person will be responsible for developing and implementing an annual plan to capture Alewife and American Shad from traps and transport them in a specialized truck to various water bodies across the state to promote run restoration. 

Associated duties include sampling river herring for identification and ageing using scales or otoliths to collect demographic data.  Sampling efforts could include trapping, netting, and electrofishing. The selected person would assist other staff in activities related to other diadromous fish species, such as Atlantic Salmon, Sea-run Brown Trout, American Eel, and Sea Lamprey and may occasionally assist other projects within the Fisheries Division.  Fishways are an important tool in restoring runs of diadromous fish and the person shall be part of a team that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of State-owned fishways and providing technical assistance to the operators of fishways that are owned by municipalities or private parties. The person shall have lead responsibility over seasonal and volunteer workers assisting with all of these activities.

Duties will also include attending and representing the Department at meetings of various state and regional committees and commissions that have fisheries management responsibilities, writing technical reports, and giving presentations to both professional groups and the general public.

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.

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.

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.

• M.S. in Fisheries Biology
• Proficiency in statistical analysis of fish populations
• Proficiency in R, GIS, and use of database programs such as Access or Sequel Server.
• Knowledge of and experience pertaining to the biology, management, transplantation, and counting of diadromous fishes as well as experience with dams, fishways and eel passes. Such experience with American shad and/or river herring
• Experience in ageing diadromous fishes using hard parts such as scales and otoliths.
• Experience in fishery biology and species identification
• Experience with various sampling techniques of migratory fishes, including electronic monitoring devices.
• Demonstrated experience leading field work teams.
• Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate or equivalent and experience in small boat handling
• Excellent oral and written interpersonal skills
• Experience with carpentry and hand tools
• Physically fit and ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including the ability to walk in flowing, rocky streams and lift nets or buckets containing fish.

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.

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.

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.

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.