Seasonal Conservation Restriction Monitor Winter 23-24

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, golf courses, skating rinks, trails and parkways.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks qualified applicants for the position of Seasonal Regional Planner I, Conservation Restriction (CR) Monitor.

DCR has an active Land Acquisition Program that acquires land through fee purchases and through Conservation Restrictions (CRs).  Currently, DCR's Division of State Parks holds over 330 CRs on approximately 40,000 acres of land throughout the Commonwealth.  These restricted lands must be routinely monitored. 
The Seasonal CR Monitor will work with the CR Stewardship Program staff and assist in implementing DCR's CR Stewardship Program, with a focus on monitoring, records management, and landowner outreach.  In addition, the CR Stewardship Planner will occasionally assist the Director of Land Protection and other Land Acquisition Staff on related land protection issues and projects. 

Specific duties include:

• Updating and maintaining a detailed informational database & filing system. 
• Assisting CR Stewardship Program staff in reviewing landowner requests for permitted activities and plans required by CRs (e.g., Forest Stewardship Plans, Forest Cutting Plans, Agricultural Conservation Plans) for consistency with CR.  
• Using geographic information systems software (ArcGIS) to develop maps of CRs and fieldwork data layers as needed.  
• Conducting detailed field inspections of CRs, primarily in eastern Massachusetts, and meeting with CR landowners as needed.
• Documenting existing conditions on CRs using photography, ArcGIS applications (Survey123 and Field Maps), GPS technology, and thorough notes.
• Updating and maintaining a detailed informational database & filing system.
• Preparing detailed monitoring reports based on field inspections.
• Cultivating and maintaining positive working relationships with CR landowners.
• Working with CR Stewardship Program staff to distribute information on CRs to DCR Operations and Forestry staff, including Baseline Documentation Reports.
• Posting boundaries of CRs, as needed.
• Assisting CR Stewardship Program staff in producing the bi-annual CR landowner newsletter.
• Assisting CR Stewardship Program staff with production of additional outreach materials for CR landowners.
• Working cooperatively with CR Stewardship Program staff and Land Acquisition and Protection Staff on a variety of projects as needed.
• Other related duties as required.

Position Information :  Start Date 12/3/2023

                                   End Date 03/16/2024

please note, if you are selected for this position and will be working less than 90 days, the position will automatically revert to a short-term position.

Our short-term positions are not part of the salary scale that is advertised within this job posting.  Should this position revert to a short-term seasonal position (less than 90 days), your salary rate will be discussed with you during the interview phase of the process.

Our short-term positions are not part of the salary scale that is advertised within this job posting.  Should this position revert to a short-term seasonal position (less than 90 days), your salary rate will be discussed with you during the interview phase of the proces

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or Wildlife Biology.

• 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, native wildlife species, and invasive terrestrial plants.
• Experience in the field using GPS devices and tablets.
• Ability to use geographic information systems (i.e. ArcGIS, desktop, apps and online) to assess property conditions and create maps.
• Ability to read and understand topographic maps, assessor plans, and survey plans.
• Experience reviewing, writing and producing reports that include 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.
• 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, and traverse uneven, rugged terrain.
• Willingness to travel throughout the Commonwealth, spending 1-2 days a week in the field as weather permits.

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.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.