State DEEP hiring now for seasonal jobs

HARTFORD — The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is now taking applicants to join its seasonal workforce. A wide variety of jobs are available that combine spending time outdoors, conserving and providing access to the state’s most beautiful areas, and serving as introductions to potential careers at DEEP, according to a statement, and benefit from recently raised hourly rates, ranging from $15 to $19/hour.

DEEP is actively seeking to diversify its workforce agency-wide, to attract a workforce that is more representative of our state’s population. Seasonal positions are a great introduction to working at DEEP and a potential career working in the outdoors – in such areas as scientific research, conservation, forestry, outdoor recreation, and law enforcement, according to officials.

“Our state parks, forests, and boat launches are more popular than ever, and seasonal opportunities are a great way to ignite a passion in conservation and recreation, gain experience in a new field, or lead to a career in the outdoors,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “Having a DEEP staff that represents and serves all of Connecticut is a top priority, so it’s critical that seasonal opportunities and recruitment efforts introduce DEEP to a wide range of people.”

To assist with navigating the wide array of seasonal opportunities offered, DEEP offers a seasonal employment webpage. This user-friendly webpage divides opportunities up by area of interest (Fisheries, Wildlife, Boating, Parks & Forests, Lifeguarding, and others), as well as by location. To fill these positions with a diverse group of staff reflective of the diversity of the state, DEEP is working to raise awareness about the available opportunities.

With 110 state parks and 32 state forests, positions include lifeguards, seasonal park rangers, maintenance workers, interpretive guides, and more! Some seasonal employees also assist DEEP professional staff in research projects for forestry, fisheries and wildlife management.

The state park system is now more popular than ever due in part to visitors seeking outdoor recreation opportunities because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Seasonal staff play a crucial role in administering the many resources our parks and waterways offer. A number of DEEP career staff got their start as a seasonal employee. Go here to hear from DEEP staff members, several of whom got their start in seasonal positions, about why DEEP is an awesome place to work.

For more information, visit DEEP’s seasonal employment web page at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/HumanResources/Seasonal/Seasonal-Employment. Staff are available for interviews! DEEP is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Employment Opportunity employer.