Environmental Conservation Police Colonel; Energy and Environmental Protection Division Director

Overview

Environmental Conservation Police Colonel (DEEP Division Director) – Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.

Location:

Hartford, CT. Recruitment #MP-001. Date Opened 1/15/2026. Close Date 2/5/2026. Salary $124,895 - $170,298/year. This is an Open to the Public recruitment.

Introduction:
Want a leadership position protecting Connecticut's natural resources and state parks and forests? This opportunity oversees the Environmental Conservation Police Division and requires POST certification as a law enforcement officer in Connecticut. If you are from out of state, you must obtain POST certification within 6 months of hire.

What We Can

Offer:

benefits information is provided to explain medical and dental plans, leave accruals, holidays, tuition reimbursement, pension (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV) with eligibility to retire after 25 years of service, and work/life balance.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
This is a full-time, 40-hour per week position with a Monday–Friday schedule and some night/weekend work and travel. The duty location is the DEEP downtown Hartford office at 79 Elm Street, across from Bushnell Park. The division manages a statewide law enforcement agency with sixty-two sworn officers, two permanent administrative secretaries, up to fifty seasonal patrol officers, and eight dispatcher positions operating a twenty‑four hour emergency dispatch center.

Responsibilities include managing an annual budget, strategic planning, recruitment and hiring, internal affairs investigations, legislative initiatives, policy development, labor relations, memoranda of agreement development, asset management, and equipment purchases. The Director liaises with local, state and federal agencies and acts as public information officer at critical incidents and special events. The Division includes five specialized units: K9, Chemical Immobilization, Boating Accident Reconstruction, Hunting-Related Shooting Incidents, and PEER support.

The Environmental Conservation Police Division is an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency with statewide conservation responsibilities. It spans three geographical districts, each managed by a district captain and overseen by a Colonel and Major. The division oversees 255,000 acres of agency lands and waters across state forests, parks, wildlife management areas and boating access areas. It also handles the shellfish patrol, NOAA enforcement cooperation, boating accident investigation, and patrols on state waterways.

The mission is to provide natural resource protection and public safety through education, outreach and enforcement in fish and game, boating, commercial fishing, wildlife management, parks and forests.

DEEP is charged with conserving and protecting the state’s natural resources and environment, improving energy reliability and affordability, and contributing to Connecticut’s economy and job creation.

Assistive resources:
Applicant Tips, Applicant Reference Library. Apply online via the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center.

• Meet Minimum Qualifications by the close date; specify qualifications on the application. The stated minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits:
  List earned credits/degrees; accredited institutions only. For foreign education, provide documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service.
• Resume Policy:
  Resumes are not accepted during the initial application process per Public Act 21-69. Additional documentation may be requested later.
• Preferred Shift/
  
  Location:
  
  Select all locations/shifts you are willing to work on the application.
• Timely Submission:
  All materials must be received by the deadline; revisions after submission are rarely accepted. Exceptions may be requested by emailing DAS.SHRM.
• Salary Calculations:
  State salary comparisons may vary between branches.
• Only the official posting channel may be used to apply.

• Referral Questions:
  Complete any required Referral Questions by the expiration date if requested.
• Prepare…