Ecological Restoration Specialist

The Department of Fish & Game works to preserve the state's natural resources and people's right to conservation of those resources, as protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. To carry out this mission, the Department exercises responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater habitats that support them.

The Division of Ecological Restoration is charged with restoring and protecting the health and integrity of the Commonwealth's rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. This mission is critical to the success of the Department of Fish and Game that manages, protects, and restores the natural resources of the Commonwealth.

The Division of Ecological Restoration works with community-based partners to restore aquatic ecosystems. The Division’s ecological restoration work brings clean water, recreation opportunities, and other ecosystem services to the citizens of Massachusetts.

The Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration is accepting resumes and applications for the position of Ecological Restoration Specialist (Environmental Analyst II).

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

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Environmental Analyst II / Ecological Restoration Specialist serves as a project manager with an emphasis on wetland and stream restoration in DER’s Cranberry Bog Program.  The Ecological Restoration Specialist also provides programmatic support for the Cranberry Bog Restoration Program, including developing new potential projects, responding to requests for technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation of environmental outcomes, fundraising, and relationship building and maintenance with partners and landowners.  This position also performs duties in support of general DER operations.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage assigned ecological restoration projects. Work will focus on wetland and stream restoration projects on retired/abandoned cranberry farmland.

• Perform project management tasks, including forming and maintaining teams, assisting with development of restoration approaches, developing and maintaining project plans, detailed budgets, and timelines, communicating progress, maintaining highly organized files, securing technical services, obtaining funding (e.g., federal grants), developing public support, coordinating interagency activities, assisting with environmental and regulatory compliance, supporting projects through the construction phase, conducting field monitoring, and facilitating public outreach & education.
• Write and manage technical service and grant contracts and ensure successful contractor/grantee performance of scopes of work and production of quality deliverables.
• Maintain highly organized and up-to-date digital files, including project budgets and DER project tracking database (MS Access), and report on projects as needed.

2. Provide programmatic support to DER’s Cranberry Bog Program.

• Manage project information in timely, accessible, and organized formats for use by the Cranberry Bog Program Manager.
• Assist with potential project evaluation in coordination with program staff and other partners.
• Assist with tracking and screening requests for technical assistance to the Cranberry Bog Program.
• Assist with monitoring and evaluation of project and program outputs and outcomes.
• Provide general programmatic support, including fundraising assistance, outreach, and technical and administrative tasks.
• Contribute to Habitat Restoration Program planning and Cranberry Bog Restoration Program planning, as requested.

3. Perform duties in support of general DER operations

• Provide information as requested to support Division outreach such as project marketing tools, newsletters, brochures, website content, and program reports.
• Contribute to the Division’s strategic and annual work planning, as requested.
• Provide information requested to support budget and program development.
• Conduct training and participate in other outreach and education activities related to ecological restoration.
• Participate in general interagency coordination and policy activities.
• Represent the program in public forums and present at professional conferences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master’s degree in environmental science, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.
• Three or more years of professional experience in wetland, river and/or other aquatic ecosystem restoration, wetland and stream ecology, hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, or related natural resources issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of wetland and stream ecology, restoration ecology, and general environmental issues. 
• Holistic understanding of ecosystems, including the role of ecological processes, structure, function, connectivity, and disturbance.
• Multi-disciplinary experience with a range of environmental issues.
• Experience reviewing project plans, working as part of project teams, preparing and managing budgets, developing grant proposals; developing public support, preparing scopes of work, and managing consultant contracts.
• Knowledge of environmental permitting for ecological restoration at local, state, and federal levels.
• Experience with monitoring and data collection, analysis, and reporting for parameters in aquatic environments.
• Ability to interpret, review, and comment on scientific and technical documents.
• Excellent writing skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate efficiently and effectively. 
• Exceptional organizational skills to coordinate and track progress across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong inter-personal and verbal communication skills, including ability to listen, demonstrate empathy, motivate, lead, negotiate, and maintain a friendly, positive rapport with colleagues and the public.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment on multiple tasks with varying deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and with self-initiative, and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• Exceptional troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience and full competency with MS Office, including Word and Excel.  Excellent all-around computer skills including data management and general use of GIS software (ArcMap 10.x).
• Ability to travel statewide and to participate in occasional evening and weekend site visits and meetings.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a current and valid Class D motor vehicle operator’s license.

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 the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* 

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*  

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health 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 completed.

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

Official Title: Environmental Analyst II

Primary Location

: United States-Massachusetts-Boston - 251 Causeway Street

Job

: Science

Agency

: Department of Fish And Game

Schedule

: Full-time

Shift

: Day

Job Posting

: May 20, 2021, 8:53:46 AM

Number of Openings

: 1

Salary

: 58,445.66 - 85,624.76 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Melixza Esenyie - 6176261282

Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists

Confidential: No

Information

• Location: United States

Industry experience

Education: Masters

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Years of experience: 1 to 5 years

Taxonomy

• Restoration
• Conservation
• Wetlands
• Constructed Wetlands
• River Restoration
• Environmental Conservator
• Environmental Consulting
• Wetlands
• Environmental Engineers & Consultants
• Floating Treatment Wetlands
• Stream Restoration
• Ecosystem Restoration
• restoration ecologist