Project Review Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Project Review Assistant

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $50,000-$60,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: MAIN STREET CENTRE

Agency Website: dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state's lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
DCR's Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR's efforts to CONSERVE.
Job Summary
The Project Review Assistant will participate in project review process and management by receiving projects, maintaining database, and performing initial spatial analysis. Perform secondary review of projects, compose comment letters, and create associated maps or ArcGIS files. Enter data subscriptions and participate in outreach events. Assist in the management of the Virginia Pollinator Smart Program.
Job Duties

• Learn and implement the detailed project review coordination process with other Natural Heritage sections, DCR divisions, and other agencies.
• Data entry of projects and license agreements into Access databases.
• Digitize projects using ArcGIS online or bring in shapefiles/kmz/layer files into an internal ArcGIS Pro system.
• Conduct preliminary analysis for projects in ArcGIS Pro generating preliminary data reports.
• Conduct secondary review of proposed projects in the Western/Piedmont region of the state through research and coordination to determine potential impacts to natural heritage resources (rare plants, rare animals, significant communities, and karst) habitat.
• Develop concise well written letters, maps, and ArcGIS files within program standards to meet internal and external deadlines.
• Based on environmental regulations, coordinate with federal and state regulatory agencies as well as internal and external partners for the conservation of natural heritage resources.
• Check YODA database and append Natural Heritage Data Explorer shapefile to internal ArcGIS Pro layer on assigned days.
• Support online Natural Heritage Data Explorer including project submittal and test new functionality as required.
• Participate in outreach events representing the Virginia Natural Heritage Program.
• Assist in the management of the Virginia Pollinator Smart Program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of biology, conservation biology, or environmental science.
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and regulatory processes.
• Digitizing, analysis, and map making experience in ArcGIS Pro.
• Data entry experience in Access and applied use of Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in working with a natural heritage program.
• Experience in working with a Pollinator Smart Program and/or other pollinator initiatives.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.
A valid Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.
Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT.

DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.

• Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service) are entitled to overnight facility discounts such as:
  • Free camping outside of the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period in sites designed for up to six people.
  • Free camping Sunday night through Thursday night (excluding the night prior to a holiday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
  • Fifty percent discount on cabins (up to 3 bedrooms) outside of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, for a maximum of 14 nights. All reservations require a two-night minimum. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one night yurt stays only receive a 25% discount.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: HR@dcr.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.