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 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.
The Ecological Restoration Specialist (Environmental Analyst II) serves as an ecological restoration project manager with emphasis on river restoration and dam removal in DER’s Dam Removal Practice Area. The Ecological Restoration Specialist also provides programmatic support for the Dam Removal Practice Area, such as field data collection, assistance with project identification and evaluation, landowner consultation, and participation in other forms of data collection that inform the practice of dam removal. This position performs duties in support of DER operations, including monitoring, training, and outreach to partners and stakeholders.
Duties include:
1. Manage assigned ecological restoration projects. Work will be focused on dam removal and river restoration.
- Provide project management support, including forming and maintaining teams, developing and maintaining project plans and budgets, communicating progress, securing technical services, obtaining funding (including federal grants and corporate donations), developing public support, coordinating interagency activities and deliberations, complying with regulatory requirements, supporting the project through the construction phase, conducting monitoring, and facilitating public outreach & education.
- Manage technical service and grant contracts and ensure successful contractor/grantee performance of scopes of work and production of quality deliverables.
- Maintain organized and up-to-date digital and paper files, including project budgets and DER project database, and report on projects as needed.
2. Provide programmatic support to DER’s Dam Removal Practice Area.
- Perform field data collection, and manage data in useable, accessible, and organized form.
- Participate in collection and analysis of ecological, economic, and sociological data to inform DER’s dam removal practice.
- Assist with site reconnaissance and potential project evaluation in coordination with Division staff and other partners.
- Assist with identifying and developing potential dam removal projects.
- Review and comment on restoration planning documents; help to revise and produce.Assist with training and support of restoration partners.
- Contribute to Habitat Restoration Program planning and Dam Removal Practice Area planning, as requested.
3. Perform duties in support of DER operation.
- Provide information as requested to support Division outreach such as project marketing tools, newsletters, brochures, website content, and program reports.
- Assist with preparation and execution of programmatic RFRs such as solicitations for Priority Projects and prequalified vendors.
- 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 Division 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 river, wetland, and/or other aquatic ecosystem restoration, river and wetland ecology, hydrology, and/or fluvial geomorphology.
Strong inter-personal and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to listen, demonstrate empathy, motivate, lead, negotiate, and maintain a friendly, positive rapport with colleagues and the public.
Academic training or work experience in fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, or river engineering.
Knowledge and understanding of ecosystems, wetland and stream ecology, restoration ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, botany, chemistry, and/or general 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.
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 use of GIS software (ArcMap 10.x) as well as GPS hardware and software.
Ability to travel statewide and to participate in occasional evening and weekend site visits and meetings.
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.
