Local recruitment: Stream Crossing Specialist

Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game

Westfield, MA, USA 🇺🇸

Stream Crossing Specialist  (230003T6)

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 fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them. 

The Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) restores and protects rivers, wetlands and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. 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 Division’s Stream Continuity Program assists in a state-wide effort to improve habitat continuity, climate resiliency, and public safety at road-stream crossings. Program staff help make stream crossing replacements fish-friendly and flood-resilient by offering technical assistance, tools, training, and grant funding to municipalities and other key stakeholders. 

Are you passionate about natural ecosystems?  DER seeks a team player who takes initiative, enjoys problem-solving and finding solutions, and is passionate to learn new things. Join us as the Division’s Stream Crossing Specialist (Environmental Analyst III) in contributing to ecological and community resiliency by working with partners to remove stream barriers, reconnect stream habitat, reduce storm hazards, and restore fish passage.  

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

Use your technical skills and experience to help implement successful stream crossings replacement projects while working with a robust, supportive, interdisciplinary group of habitat restoration professionals and partners.  As DER’s Stream Crossing Specialist, you will help increase the scale and pace of ecological restoration and culvert replacement projects across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Key responsibilities include: 

  • Build capacity to design and implement successful culvert replacement projects that meet improved aquatic/terrestrial organism passage and climate resiliency design criteria. Serve as a technical resource person on the planning, assessment, design, engineering, and construction of road-stream crossings. Develop partnerships, tools, trainings, and other guidance materials to support municipalities and stakeholders’ ability to design and construct road-stream crossings that meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards. (35%) 
  • Serve as a DER Technical Advisor on select high-priority ecological restoration culvert replacement projects with hands-on opportunities to engage with Project Teams, guide implementation of projects from inception to completion, and develop case studies to support and advance the work of the Stream Continuity Program. (30%) 
  • Help DER’s Stream Continuity Program achieve the greatest ecological and public benefits from projects and program activities.  Provide program support such as field data collection; organization and management of project tracking databases; partnership building and interagency coordination; management of consultant contracts; and technical assistance to grant-funded projects. (30%) 
  • Perform other duties as assigned: Support the Division’s outreach, budget, and professional and program development efforts. (5%) 

This position will be based in DER’s Westfield or Boston office. Once established in the role, a hybrid schedule consisting of in-office work and telework will be provided. In-state travel to conduct fieldwork is also required. Salary commensurate with experience. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Graduate or Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Planning, Ecology, Biology, or closely related field.  
  • Five or more years of professional experience.  
  • Knowledge and comprehension of wetland and stream ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and/or restoration ecology. 
  • Experience implementing stream habitat restoration and/or stream crossing replacement projects.  This may include project identification, assessment, planning; coordinating project teams; preparing budgets and scopes of work; overseeing consultant contracts; obtaining funding through grants and other sources; reviewing technical reports, design plans, and work products; complying with regulations; coordinating interagency activities and deliberations; overseeing construction; and/or facilitating public outreach & education.   
  • Demonstrated awareness and experience with culvert replacement design methods that promote aquatic organism passage and resilience to storms. 
  • Knowledge of environmental permitting at local, state, and federal levels. 
  • Aptitude to work effectively in a collaborative team environment on multiple tasks with varying timelines. Must be a team player with strong people skills. 
  • Experience in overseeing staff and/or contractors, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be completed. 
  • Propensity to work proactively and with self-initiative, and to exercise sound judgment and discretion. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, including public speaking and working with diverse stakeholders using plain language. 
  • Demonstrated experience in developing trainings, presentations, or hands-on learning tools. 
  • Excellent all-around computer experience with the suite of Microsoft programs and ArcGIS Online (AGOL) or ArcGIS Pro. 
  • Available to travel statewide and to participate in occasional evening and weekend site visits and meetings. 

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) four 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 two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. 

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 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 three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.

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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

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

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Environmental Analyst III

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Westfield- Western Ave

Job: Science

Agency: Department of Fish And Game

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Mar 20, 2023, 10:54:08 PM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 68,564.34 – 100,370.14 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

Hybrid Work Eligible: Yes


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