Local recruitment: Connecticut Careers Trainee/ Transportation Planner 1

Wetland & Water Resources Permitting

Recruitment #250829-1993FS-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is now accepting applications for an exciting entry level Connecticut Careers Trainee position, with a target class of Transportation Planner 1. This position is located in the Environmental Permitting Unit within the Office of Environmental Planning at our headquarters in Newington, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• Join an award winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE)  and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday
• Location: Department of Transportation Headquarters in Newington, CT.  
• Reports to a Transportation Supervising Planner or employee of a higher level. 
• P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
• This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy which can be found here. Employees in their initial working test period must work on site in the office.

Incumbents in this class are required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and may be required to travel, primarily within the state.  Incumbents in this class may be required to work overtime. Incumbents in this class may be required to perform work outside in all weather conditions.

THE ROLE:

We are seeking a dynamic motivated candidate for this opportunity to work collaboratively with our design teams to identify and analyze potential impacts to wetland and water resources and obtain necessary permits for Department projects. 

The chosen candidate will be part of a team that prepares environmental permit applications and reports for in-house design projects and oversees and reviews consultant prepared permit applications for content and accuracy, while assuring project schedules are met. The unit acts as the main liaison with Federal and State regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP). The unit also assists in field work associated with wetland and natural resource identification, habitat assessments and mitigation planning and design for all modes of transportation projects. This entry level position will also be responsible for support performing wetland delineations, including vegetation and soil surveys, environmental studies, habitat assessments and analysis. 

Examples of Duties:

Duties of increasing difficulty will involve conducting field work and planning studies relative to all transportation modes for the movement of people and goods; conducting and directing surveys related to environmental studies, land use, and transportation needs; collecting, analyzing and updating data related to impacts of transportation facilities, projects and programs and making recommendations based on this analysis; performing environmental analyses of transportation related data; preparing statistical and written reports and environmental impact statements; reviewing studies, surveys and technical documents for conformance with department standards, needs and state and federal laws and regulations; providing planning assistance and coordinating activities and projects with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, private consultants and stakeholders; investigating and responding to public inquiries and complaints regarding transportation plans, programs and/or projects; may perform site analysis work; and performing related duties as required. 

Field work in all weather conditions and on active construction sites will be required and travel primarily within the State will be necessary. Incumbents are required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and may be required to work overtime. 

SALARY INFORMATION – CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

• Eligibility for promotion to the target classification of Transportation Planner 1 is earned upon successful completion of the training program.

Target class: Transportation Planner 1 

• Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will serve a two (2) year training program.
• Candidates with a Master’s degree in a closely related field may be eligible for a shorter training period.

ABOUT US:

As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is our mission to provide a safe, accessible and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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, 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 Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions;
• Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to
  • acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification;
  • understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic;
  • read, interpret and understand written material;
  • perform basic arithmetical computations;
  • interpret charts, graphs and tables;
  • learn and reason;
  • establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public;
  • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, biology, natural resources management Transportation / Regional / Urban Planning or Studies, Civil Engineering, Geography, Construction Management, or closely related degree;
• Experience regarding permit preparation and review through course work, work experience, or internships;
• Experience reading and interpreting design plans and mapping through course work, work experience, or internships;
• Experience with identification, delineation and functional assessment of inland and tidal wetlands, and floodplains through course work, work experience, or internships;
• Experience with relevant State and federal laws and regulations particularly in regard to the Clean Water Act and Connecticut Inland and tidal wetland permitting requirements through course work, work experience, or internships;
• Experience developing presentations and effectively delivering materials to a variety of audiences, in both written and verbal formats through course work, work experience, or internships;
• Experience communicating and working collaboratively within a team, with design professionals, other State and Federal agencies, outside stakeholders, elected officials and the public through course work, work experience, or internships;
• Experience with Microsoft Office 365, ESRI ArcGIS and related software and interpreting other published documents and media such as aerial photography through course work, work experience, or internships.

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.