Watershed Ranger

Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 750,000 people in 72 cities and towns throughout Connecticut, as well as serving customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S. Based in Bridgeport, CT, it has been in the public water supply business since 1857. Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices. Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.

Job Summary

The primary function of this role is the protection of Aquarion watershed land. The work is accomplished through interaction with the public, neighbors, state regulators/officials, local officials, law enforcement, and other stakeholder groups on the value of protecting watershed land, in addition to the monitoring and securing of critical watershed areas. The Rangers are responsible for more than 20,000 acres of watershed land in CT and NY including back country areas. A small portion of this land is open to limited recreation (e.g. fishing, hunting, hiking). The role requires knowledge, skills and abilities in land use, wildlife management, outdoor recreation, and watersheds.

Principal Responsibilities

• Promotes watershed protection through interactions with local officials, regulators, recreational users, stakeholder groups, adjoining land-owners and the public.
• Identifies, investigates, and documents incidents of improper use of Aquarion watershed land including dumping, illegal trails, fire pits, swimming, and other forms of trespass.
• Recommends and implements solutions to protect the watershed including increased signage, gates/fencing, trail decommissioning, communications, and/or escalation to law enforcement.
• Interacts with the public to assist in the safe and orderly enjoyment of Aquarion limited recreation areas on Aquarion watershed land.
• Supports Aquarion’s Natural Resource Management group with wildlife management activities and recreation programs by coordinating with state agencies (e.g. for the hunting program), monitoring recreation areas, and communicating with stakeholders.
• Assists with operational, maintenance and protective duties. This includes the installation of signage and boundary marking. The nature of this work requires coordination with external stakeholder groups and internal program staff, primarily Watershed Maintenance, Forestry, and Source Protection.
• Works with Corporate Communications staff to develop watershed protection and awareness campaign content, including photographs (i.e., drinking water week, source protection week, etc.).
• Works with Aquarion’s Real Estate group and CTDEEP to identify, investigate, and resolve encroachments on watershed land.
• Interacts with local and state law enforcement to maintain communication; report suspicious activity; escalate trespassing or dumping complaints when needed; assist with search and rescue activities; and coordinate police details, when needed, to increase patrol coverage.
  
  

Preferred Requirements

The ideal candidate has:

• Law enforcement experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in an environmental or related field and two years’ experience in a role of comparable scope and responsibility, which may include work in fish and wildlife management, forestry/fire management, park related work, water utility operations or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• The candidate should possess a basic understanding of areas as diverse as wildlife management, watershed ecosystems, water quality, contamination (sources, impacts and spill response), and land use regulation.
• Essential functions are performed primarily outdoors in wooded areas, lakes, and rivers/streams.
• Works in all weather conditions, including inclement weather.
• Prolonged standing, walking over uneven terrain.
• Use of hand tools, ability to climb ladders, occasional need to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Must possess ability to swim; ability to safely operate an ATV/UTV; familiarity with various forms of outdoor recreation.
• Must possess a safety first attitude and comply with all safety rules, regulations, and policies.
• Works rotating hourly and daily shifts including weekends and holidays. Often works alone.
• The ideal candidate is familiar with common computer programs including Word, Excel and GIS.
• Must possess strong communication skills.
  
  

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an environmental or related field.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Must have or be able to obtain a CT Boating Safety Certificate.
• Must have or be able to obtain First Aid, CPR, AED certification.
• Must have or be able to obtain CT Security Guard certification.
  
  

Salary

• This role is a part-time, non-benefit eligible role, working approximately 29 hours a week.
• This role is classified as an hourly role, with a rate of $30.00/hour.
• This role will report out of our Easton, CT office.
  
  

Aquarion Water Company is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.