Conservation Restriction Stewardship Planner, Regional Planner Ii

About the Department of Conservation and Recreation: The Department of Conservation and Recreation manages one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation and protects and enhances natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts. The DCR system includes over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails, golf courses and parkways.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks qualified applicants for: Regional Planner II - Conservation Restriction Stewardship Planner within the Land Protection Program, Office of General Counsel. DCR has an active Land Acquisition Program that conserves land through fee purchases and Conservation Restrictions (CRs). Currently, DCR's Division of State Parks holds over 330 CRs on over 42,000 acres of land throughout the Commonwealth. These restricted lands must be routinely monitored.
The CR Stewardship Planner reports to the CR Stewardship Coordinator and works with the CR Stewardship Team to implement DCR's CR Stewardship Program, with a focus on monitoring Conservation Restrictions and landowner follow-up, records management, and landowner communications, including preparation of outreach materials. The CR Stewardship Planner will also assist the Director of Land Protection and other Land Acquisition Staff on new CR projects and related land protection issues and projects.
Position is statewide -- Primarily telework with office location at 180 Beaman St. West Boylston or TBD.
Specific duties include:
CR Monitoring: Ensures that CRs in assigned region are monitored by conducting monitoring visits (using GPS, mobile applications, and digital photography) and preparing detailed monitoring reports (including GIS maps and photographs), and by overseeing monitoring activities by contractors, seasonal employees, or other DCR staff.
Landowner Outreach and Communication: Maintains positive working relationships with CR landowners in assigned region. For CRs in assigned region and in consultation with CR Stewardship Coordinator, evaluates and responds to landowner requests and drafts response letters, tracks changes in landownership and corresponds with successor landowners as necessary, and conducts follow-up to resolve any issues identified when monitoring. Assists with bi-annual Newsletter and other outreach materials.
Boundary marking/Signage : In consultation with Coordinator, identifies CR properties to be marked in assigned region each year. Provides information to contractors on these properties as needed.
Recordkeeping and Procedures: Keeps electronic files and all other information relevant to CR stewardship in assigned region (landowner communications, violation responses, resolutions, etc.) up to date and organized using the Land Information System (LIS).
DCR Staff Outreach: Ensures information on CRs in assigned region is distributed to DCR Operations and Forestry staff, including Baseline Documentation Reports.
Land Acquisition: Assists the Land Acquisition staff with property reconnaissance and GPS mapping, drafting CR language, and creating CR exclusion exhibit plans for new CRs in assigned region.
A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached as relevant to the requisition.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Knowledge of and familiarity with Conservation Restrictions
-Knowledge of the principles and practices of assessing environmental conditions including the ability to recognize potentially harmful environmental conditions.
-Knowledge of New England habitat types and native wildlife species.
-Ability to recognize and identify invasive terrestrial plants.
-Ability to use geographic information systems (i.e. ArcGIS and Arc GIS Online) to assess property conditions and create maps
-Ability to utilize hand-held GPS devices and digital cameras.
-Ability to read and understand topographic maps, assessor plans, and survey plans.
-Ability to review, write and produce reports including maps, photographs and narrative describing conditions on a property
-Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply legal documents, technical literature, and regulations to conditions on a property.
-Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
-Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and contracts simultaneously.
-Ability to establish and maintain courteous, professional working relationships with landowners and other professionals
-Ability to speak and write clearly and to communicate effectively with staff and the general public.
-Ability to work outdoors, year round throughout Massachusetts under varying climatic conditions.
Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time technical or professional experience in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning or land use planning, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a professional capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for two years of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for the required experience.*
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually competed.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.