Current Position: Wildlife Technician
How long have you been with Connecticut State Parks and in what capacity?
I have worked for 2 1/2 years in my current capacity as Steward of the Belding Wildlife Management Area. Seven years prior to that I worked in various seasonal capacities such as conducting bat, deer and turkey research, conducting wetland bird surveys and vegetation surveys, and dealing with beaver complaints.
How did you become involved in working as a Wildlife Technician?
I love being outdoors and am fascinated by the workings of the natural world.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
- Monitoring wildlife populations (counting birds, amphibians)
- Maintaining wildlife habitat (removing invasive plants, cutting trees and mowing to maintain grassland fields, planting native shrubs)
- Leading walks, conducting educational programs.
- Maintaining interpretive trail system.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
35 hours.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Leading interpretive walks, learning something new every day, the variety of duties, and working outside.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Getting people to keep their dogs on a leash to protect the wildlife.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife or Natural Resource Management.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
Formal teaching and entomology.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Restoring habitats to native vegetation and developing outreach programs.
If someone were interested in working as a Wildlife Technician at a state park, what advice could you give them?
Go to a college with a good wildlife program, volunteer, and take seasonal positions.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
It is very rewarding to pass on knowledge of the natural environment to people who are eager to learn about it.
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