Regional Planner Iv - Senior Trails And Greenways Planner

Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages state parks and oversees more than 450,000 acres throughout Massachusetts. It protects, promotes, and enhances the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depends on the accessibility and quality of our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes. DCR continues to improve the vital connection between people and the environment.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for the position of Regional Planner IV - Senior Trails and Greenways Planner. Please submit a cover letter and resume as part of the application process. The position is hybrid and travel will be required to report 1-3 days per week to 40 Cold Storage Drive, Amherst or DCR Headquarters 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The DCR Senior Trails and Greenways Planner will work with the Director of the Trails and Greenways Section, DCR colleagues, consultants, user groups, and public stakeholders to lead and support a wide range of projects and initiatives related to DCR’s over 3,000 miles of state park and forest Trails and over 200 miles of shared use greenways.

The person in this position will play a leading role in envisioning the future of DCR’s state park and forest trail system and implementing that vision, including expanding the Commonwealth’s network of universal access trails. In addition, the Senior Trails and Greenways Planner will support the Section’s work more generally in areas such as capital plan management, permitting, enhancement of wayfinding and visitor experience, in addition to managing and supporting work on shared use greenways. The Senior Trails and Greenways Planner will also supervise an RPIII Natural Surface Trail Planner.

The position will require technical proficiency, analytical planning approaches, and excellent inter-personal skills. The position requires gathering and analyzing data; providing budgetary and policy guidance; developing best management practices and detailed scopes of work; managing staff, consultant engineers, designers, and contractors; working with community stakeholders; and communicating with state colleagues to further develop and implement DCR’s vision for a statewide trails network.

The Trails and Greenways Planner will replace a departing staff member in Trails and Greenways Section (with this position, nine staff total) and will support the mission of the Section as well as the overall mission of DCR. The role includes travel throughout the Commonwealth to gather information, visit project sites, and meet regional staff and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a passion for DCR’s mission and a background/interest in project management, design and engineering, city and regional planning, forestry, landscape architecture, and related fields.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with DCR and Section colleagues, oversee the planning, maintenance, repair, and enhancement of DCR’s extensive network of state park and forest trails statewide, including expansion of the network of universal access trails where the need is greatest.
• Identify priority facilities for state park and forest trail system planning, including implementation of existing plans, creation of new plans, and coordination with other DCR staff on the creation and implementation of Resource Management Plans.
• Collaborate with DCR Bureau of Forestry and GIS staff to enhance and maintain the DCR’s trail inventory data in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of trail system planning and management statewide and to enhance trail maps and wayfinding.
• Coordinate and guide Operations staff in the design, development, management, and maintenance of DCR’s Trails and trail systems.
• Assist with spending plan development and management and prepare capital budget requests.
• Design and construct natural and improved surface trail projects statewide; tasks include but are not limited to scoping of projects and preparation of Requests for Proposals, selection and management of consultants, supervision of contractors, coordination with Engineering and Operations field staff, stakeholder management and public outreach process, review and approval of design specifications, environmental and other permitting, and monitoring and inspection of construction and maintenance projects.
• Prioritize and coordinate trail repair and enhancement projects on both state park and forest Trails and shared use greenways, including but not limited to: parking and trailhead improvements; trail map, signage, and wayfinding enhancements; interpretive signage; and other visitor experience improvements.
• At the direction of the Director of Trails and Greenways, participate in and lead shared use greenway projects.
• Develop, update, and provide input into trail-related policies, guidelines and regulations; evaluate the technical merits of policies, guidelines and regulations to ensure that DCR goals are being met, including but not limited to: DCR CMRs; DEP wetland regulations; MESA regulations; trail-related BMPs, Guidelines and Policies; and the DCR Volunteer Policy. Assist Director of Trails and Greenways to advocate for appropriate policy reform and/or streamlining.
• Evaluate and determine the readiness and appropriateness of trail proposals advanced by agency staff and third-party stakeholders in accordance with DCR’s Trail Guidelines Manual.
• Conduct public hearings and participatory public workshops to solicit input on trail planning decisions, issues, guidelines and regulations.
• Review and evaluate right-of-way land acquisition and disposition opportunities and make recommendations relative to their impacts on the agency’s recreational trail interests.
• Develop and negotiate Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with municipalities, other agencies, and third-party stakeholders concerning partnerships in the development and maintenance of DCR’s Trails and Greenways in compliance with guidelines, policies, and regulations.
• Prepare and provide press, briefings, web content, and communication responses to MassParks and External Affairs of relevant trail and greenway programs and projects.
• Provide policy guidance on all aspects of trail planning, design, construction, and operation.
• Works with community and stakeholder groups to build support for DCR’s trail and greenway needs and projects statewide.
• Supervise RPIII State Park and Forest Trail Planner.
• Support overall Section mission and tasks as directed by Director of Trails and Greenways.
• Travel is required throughout the state and regional coverage area as assigned. Access to reliable transportation and ability to visit DCR and non-DCR sites.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage major and complicated projects involving the participation of Federal, State, and local officials; public advocacy groups; recreational stakeholders; and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to discuss projects before state and local boards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage capital programs to implement planning recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to review projects undertaken by other public or private entities to ensure DCR's interests are addressed in a satisfactory manner.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Commonwealth’s natural, recreational and cultural resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable Commonwealth environmental agencies, laws, polices, and regulations.
• Demonstrated organizational and team building skills, including the ability to manage, and lead teams of diverse individuals towards established goals and objectives.
• Knowledge and experience with principles, practices and alternatives of shared use greenway design.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, develop, and run project-related public meetings, including public speaking and meeting facilitation.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively gather public input, including organizing and leading large public forums and participatory public workshops.
• Superior writing skills, including the ability to synthesize information in written form.
• Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet, database, and Geographic Information Systems computer programs and analytical tools.
• Ability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
• Ability to create effective procedures and guidelines where few precedents are available.
• Ability to learn new technical tasks and skills including those related to state procurement and horizontal construction.

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis on the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

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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