Seasonal Conservation Restriction Monitor

Description

POSITION INFORMATION: Seasonal Regional Planner ILocation: 136 Damon Rd., Northampton, MA 01060Start Date: 12/1/2024End Date: 3/15/2025Hybrid Work Schedule Eligible: Yes

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 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. 

Position is focused on the southwestern third of the state, with office location at 136 Damon Road, Northampton.

Specific duties include:

CR Monitoring: Ensures that CRs in assigned region are monitored by conducting monitoring visits (using GPS, ArcGIS applications Survey123 and Field Maps, and digital photography) and preparing detailed monitoring reports (including GIS maps and photographs), and by processing monitoring reports done by others.

Landowner Outreach and Communication: Maintains positive working relationships with CR landowners in assigned region. For CRs in assigned region, with oversight by CR Stewardship Coordinator and CR Stewardship Planner, 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 on monitoring visits. 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: 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).

Land Acquisition and Other: Works cooperatively with CR Stewardship Program staff, Land Acquisition and Protection staff, and other DCR staff on a variety of projects as needed.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition.

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.

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.

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) two 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, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitution below. 

Substitutions:

 I. A Bachelor's or higher 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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