Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Press Releases

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02/05/2024

DEEP Launches 2024 Seasonal Staff Recruitment

Seasonal Positions are a Great Introduction to DEEP and Potential Environmental Careers

(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking applicants to join our seasonal workforce across a wide variety of jobs. These opportunities typically combine spending time outdoors, conserving and providing access to the state’s most beautiful areas, and serving as introductions to potential careers at DEEP. The positions’ hourly rates range from $15.69 to $19/hour and start at $20/hour for lifeguards.

Seasonal positions are available in such areas as scientific research, conservation, forestry, outdoor recreation, and law enforcement. Seasonal staff play a crucial role in administering the many resources our parks and waterways offer. DEEP is actively seeking to diversify its workforce agency-wide to attract a workforce that is more representative of our state’s population. To fill these positions with a diverse group of staff, DEEP is working to raise awareness about the available opportunities.

“Connecticut continues to be a great place to live, work, and play, and the growing popularity of our coastal and inland state parks, forests, and boat launches is a huge reason why,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “These seasonal opportunities in a wide range of fields introduce so many Connecticut residents to conservation and recreation, and lead to careers in the outdoors, a growing part of our economy. We want Connecticut’s beautiful outdoors to be a resource for all residents, so recruiting a DEEP staff that represents and serves the wide range of people who live and visit here remains a priority.”

Connecticut’s state parks and forests have experienced a huge increase in visitors in recent years. This high demand supports a $4.6 billion outdoor recreation economy, and nearly 46,000 jobs in the state.

For more information, visit DEEP’s seasonal employment webpage here.

Highlighted Seasonal Job Openings

  • Western Connecticut: Seasonal positions are available at locations throughout the state, mostly at various state parks and forests. The need for staff, particularly for campground positions, is higher in the western part of the state at locations including People’s State Forest, Kettletown State Park, Macedonia Brook State Park, and Black Rock State Park. Positions range from ticket booth attendants, maintainers, crew leaders, campground office staff, campground supervisors, interpretive guides, park rangers, and more.
  • Lifeguards: Lifeguards, lifeguard supervisors, and beach directors are needed for state parks with swimming areas. Find lifeguard listings.
  • Law Enforcement: There are multiple opportunities to protect and patrol our parks as seasonal patrol officers (Environmental Conservation, or “EnCon” Rangers) who provide public safety through education, outreach, and enforcement. These critical roles assist DEEP’s EnCon Police and interact with the public to provide safe and orderly enjoyment of the parks.
  • Natural Resources: The DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources hires seasonal staff to work with the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Forestry Divisions on a variety of projects related to research, field work, outreach, education, and more.
  • Boating: The DEEP Boating Division has several opportunities available related to boating education, boat launch maintenance, and more.

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, Forestry, Boating, Parks and Forests, Lifeguarding, and others), as well as by location. A number of DEEP career staff got their start as seasonal employees. Hear from DEEP staff members, several of whom got their start in seasonal positions, about why DEEP is an awesome place to work.

Staff are available for interviews!

DEEP is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110