Wetland Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.
Who We Are as an Employer:
At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.
Description:
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxics and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst III within the Bureau of Water Resources (BWR), Wetlands Program. The Wetlands program is charged with protecting Massachusetts' wetlands, streams, rivers and other waterways. Under the supervision of the Regional Section Chief, the EA III will serve as Wetlands Circuit Rider and will be responsible for providing outreach and training to local conservation commissions pertaining to the implementation and enforcement of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Regulations, and to assist in performance of all assigned duties necessary to administer the Wetlands Program including the 401 Water Quality Certification Regulations.
This position will be based in MassDEP's Western Regional Office (WERO), Springfield, MA. MassDEP's Western Regional Office serves 106 cities and towns situated in western Massachusetts.
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and deliver training on wetland regulatory issues to address specific needs of conservation commissions and conservation staff.
• Assist commissions and municipal staff in understanding technical issues and interpreting the WPA regulations and related policies and guidance.
• Conduct regular meetings of existing conservation commission networks in the region as well as develop new networks as needed, including planning, scheduling, developing and delivering presentations, and obtaining speakers on specialized topics on occasion to attend network meetings.
• Respond to requests for information on technical and administrative issues from conservation commissions, the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties by phone, emails, or other formats.
• Provide information to the regional Wetlands Program staff on issues being raised by commissions to inform the development of wetland regulations, policies and practices.
• Review Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDA) and Notices of Intent (NOI) for moderately complex to complex projects in wetlands jurisdiction by analyzing site plans, technical information, stormwater management plans, and wetland delineation data on plants and soils for inland projects to ensure consistency with regulatory performance standards.
• Draft comments on RDAs and NOIs in accordance with regional practices, coordinate and work with other regional wetlands staff, review and draft MEPA comments assigned in timely manner;
• Review Determinations of Applicability and Orders of Conditions for moderately complex and complex projects and make recommendations to the Wetlands Section Chief on compliance with regulatory performance standards.
• Conduct data entry of Orders of Conditions and other relevant information into WIRE, assist with file management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and work experience with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and regulations.
• Knowledge of permitting and enforcement procedures followed by Conservation Commissions.
• Knowledge of and work experience applying MassDEP's Stormwater regulations.
• Knowledge of and work experience with the review of civil engineering plans, hydrologic calculations, stormwater management systems, and sedimentation and erosion control plans.
• Ability to perform botanical and hydric soils analysis as required by the Wetlands Protection Act and regulations.
• Familiarity with MassDEP related policies and guidance.
• Experience Using Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, and GIS.
• Familiarity with BWR laws and regulations, particularly, Water Quality Certification, Title 5, Water Management Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Waterways.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Valid Massachusetts Driver's License required.

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.
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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.