Description
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 (DER) 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. DER 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 Operations Specialist (Program Coordinator II).
A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition.
The Ecological Restoration Operations Specialist position works with DER leadership and staff to analyze, develop, and manage the Division’s operational systems and processes. This position leads and supports efficient and effective operations across all DER functions, including restoration project management, program management, information management, strategic planning, use of technology, budgeting and procurement, development of best practices, and performance analysis and tracking. The Operations Specialist also leads DER’s restoration economy work, developing systems that track relevant economic data for restoration projects and analyzing data in order to document the economic effects of DER’s restoration work.
A. Lead operational efficiency improvement initiatives for the Division, for both short- and long-term efforts in support of DER’s management. Focus areas for operational improvement include but are not limited to restoration project management; restoration program management; budgeting and procurement for restoration projects, programs, and supporting activities; development of best practices; restoration, fiscal, and other digital data management, tracking, and analysis; strategic planning; use of technology; and other critical operations and functions.
- Gather, analyze, and synthesize information to identify operational improvement needs and opportunities; evaluate benefits, costs, and feasibility of potential improvements, and make recommendations
- Develop and implement operational solutions and best practices in collaboration with DER staff and leadership to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the Division’s operations.
- Where increasing operational efficiency requires technology tools, create and summarize business requirements for potential technology needs; research and report on options for technology solutions; and oversee or support the development and implementation of tools or IT products that meet the requirements
- Coordination with other state divisions / agencies and DER partners to assess needs and develop options for improving operations that support the division’s workflow and provision of core services
- The Division’s annual strategic planning processes, including development of annual workplans, tracking and evaluation of performance, and preparation of strategic plans
- Knowledge management, including documentation or development of best practices, procedures, policies, protocols, and guidance manuals
- Assessment and coordination of DER internal training needs
- Management of DER’s Westfield State Office and integration of operations with the Boston office
- Develop systems and processes for tracking relevant restoration project information
- Lead annual and multi-year analyses of the economic impact of DER’s work
- Integrate economic analyses and documentation and reporting of results into DER’s standard operating procedures
- Masters degree in business administration, operations management, or closely related field with at least five years of relevant professional work experience
- Background or training in ecology, hydrology, biology, or natural resources management, or an environmental field
- Applied knowledge of contemporary technology and software solutions for operational needs, including project management, communications and team collaboration, fiscal planning and budgeting, information management, knowledge management, etc; ability to oversee development of such solutions in collaboration with others
- Possession of key operations management competencies, including operations assessment and analysis, conflict management, business negotiation, organization, and decision-making
- A passion for evaluating and documenting systems and processes, researching and developing solutions, and working with and supporting a team to solve problems and implement best practices
- Demonstrated ability to assess business and operational needs, evaluate solutions, and work effectively within an organization to plan, coordinate, support, and manage the implementation of solutions
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience working effectively with, public sector agencies
- Experience developing contracts and overseeing contracts and contractors
- Ability to understand, evaluate, interpret, and communicate business and operational information and data
- Ability to work independently and as part of cross-functional teams, with the capacity to plan and prioritize tasks appropriately
- Ability to advance multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of staff demonstrating personal initiative as well as the ability to work well in a team
- Ability to motivate and mobilize others to complete joint projects and reach shared goals
- Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Ability to establish positive relationships and deal tactfully with others
- Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements
- Ability to exercise sound judgment
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information
- Ability to travel statewide and to participate in site visits and meetings.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*
II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*
III. A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
