Conservation Agent

Town-of-Marblehead; Marblehead (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Marblehead is seeking a Conservation Agent/Planner to oversee wetlands protections and related planning duties within the Community Development & Planning Department. You will enforce the Wetlands Protection Act and Marblehead bylaws, and serve as the main contact for residents and developers on conservation matters.

Responsibilities include coordinating with the Conservation Commission, preparing permit applications, reviewing plans, and conducting site inspections to ensure

Qualifications

• This position requires a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, urban planning, or related field, with 4–6 years of public or environmental experience; a master’s degree is preferred with 2–4 years of applicable experience.
• Experience with local, state, and federal environmental, wetlands, stormwater, and land disturbance regulations is highly desirable.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel for site visits and meetings.
• Demonstrated capacity to apply knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.

Responsibilities

• Administers wetlands bylaws, filings and enforcement, and manages public land under the Commission’s care.
• Acts as the main contact for landowners or developers, reviewing plans for regulatory compliance.
• Investigates and makes recommendations on wetland protection matters.
• Provides support for Conservation Commission meetings and meetings preparation.
• Assists with Determination of Applicability, Notices of Intent, Stormwater Permits, and explains relevant laws to the public.
• Meets with realtors, appraisers, attorneys, and engineers regarding wetland issues and projects.
• Reviews and signs building permit applications and participates in staff reviews.
• Inspects sites before permit issuance and during construction; reports results to the Commission.
• Attends site inspections and conducts pre/post-hearing inspections and violation inspections as needed.
• Ensures notices for public hearings are compliant with statutory requirements.

Skills

Wetlands protection

Stormwater management

Planning & zoning

GIS

Public outreach

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science/engineering/planning

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

TITLE: Conservation Agent/Planner

DEPARTMENT: Community Development & Planning

Summary Description

Under the policy direction of the Community Development & Planning Department, oversees the development of land for compliance with the provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act, the Marblehead Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Marblehead Stormwater Management & Erosion Control Bylaw, the Floodplain District, and supports the Conservation Commission (“Commission”) as it carries out its responsibilities to administer and enforce the Act and Bylaw and regulations and policies; works with Town staff to ensure proper stewardship of the holdings of the Commission, as well as other general planning duties as assigned for the advancement of the short and long range planning goals and objectives of the Town. Incumbent serves as the main point of contact with residents and customers for all Conservation related activities and questions.

Supervision Required

The Conservation Agent/Planner works under the Director of Community Development & Planning.

Supervisory Responsibility

The Conservation Agent/Planner is not responsible for other staff but will work with fellow staff, especially the clerical support person assigned to Conservation Commission related activities.

Essential Functions

• Administers state and local wetlands bylaws, both filings and enforcement matters, and on behalf of the Commission works with town staff on management of public land under the Commission’s care, custody, and control, whether by restriction or fee ownership.
• Acts as point of contact for a landowner or developer, reviewing plans for compliance with the Wetlands Protection Act, the Marblehead Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations, the Marblehead Stormwater Bylaw and Erosion Control Regulations, and the Marblehead Floodplain District.
• Investigates, monitors, and makes recommendations to the Conservation Commission on matters involving wetland protection with the Town.
• Provides support, preparation, advice and participation at scheduled Conservation Commission meetings.
• Assist landowners and/or developers in preparing applications for Determination of Applicability and Notices of Intent, and Stormwater Permits and explains the provisions of the laws, by office visits, phone, and/or email.
• Meets with realtors, appraisers, attorneys, land surveyors, engineers, and other professionals regarding general wetland issues and specific projects.
• Reviews and signs off on building permit applications, and as needed, attend staff review meetings and comments on subdivision, special permit and site plan review applications.
• Before permits are issued for proposed building activity, inspects sites for determination of wetlands applicability, and inspects site development work in progress and at completion; sign off as appropriate.
• Attends Commission site inspections, conducts pre-and post-hearing and violation site inspections, conducts weekly/as needed inspections of ongoing construction for permitted projects, and reports results to Commission.
• Investigate reports of possible violation of the Wetlands Act.
• Reviews and field verify (except where an outside consultant is deemed necessary) wetland resource area delineations prepared and submitted by applicants for approval by the Conservation Commission.
• Upon requests of supervisor and as appropriate performs wetland resource area delineations and assists with preparation of Request for Determination of Applicability, Notices of Intent and Chapter 91 permit applications for Town projects.
• Ensure that notices for public hearings and legal ads are sufficient and comply with statutory requirements.
• Maintains, in an orderly and accessible manner, office records, files, and database, including wetlands and Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and answers questions about same posed by Town staff and general public.
• Keeps abreast of current trends and regulatory changes related to town planning and wetland issues.
• Manages and updates all relevant webpages and documents associated with the Conservation Commission.
• Participates as an integral member of the Community Development and Planning team in carrying out a comprehensive program of planning and development for the Town.
• Participates in or individually undertakes the collection, assembly, and analysis of data and information to be used in planning studies, grant applications, policy documents, public correspondence & presentations, and other related processes.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to variety of inquiries, requests and complaints related to the department activities and services provided. Keeps Director of Community Development & Planning informed of progress on projects and other departmental activities as necessary.
• All other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

This position requires the following qualifications, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, urban/planning or related with a minimum of four to six (4-6) years of experience in a public or private agency dealing with public or environmental issues. A master’s degree in urban/regional planning, environmental science/engineering or related field(s) is preferred along with a minimum of two to four (2-4) years of applicable experience;
• Experience working with local, state, and federal environmental, wetlands, stormwater, and/ or land disturbance regulations highly desired;
• Valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License, and/or have the ability to travel throughout Marblehead for site visits, field surveys, public meetings, etc;
• Demonstrated capacity to apply the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this work.

Knowledge, Abilities & Skill

• Local, state, and federal land use, planning, wetland protection, stormwater, environmental, and/or land disturbance laws and principles;
• Principles, practices, and polices associated comprehensive planning and environmental/conservation programs;
• Open space acquisition, management and stewardship;
• Environmental protection policies and practices;
• Plan, organize and implement town planning activities, including initiatives of the Conservation Commission consistent with Town wide priorities and needs;
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, regulations;
• Ability to review construction drawings, design specifications, and map/plan interpretation;
• General Project Management including budget management, fund management for municipal and grant related activities;
• Work independently and as a team within the Department of Community Development & Planning;
• Operate various computer software necessary for performing assigned duties including GIS, Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and visualization software;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in written format;
• Ability to work effectively with developers and their representatives to ensure regulatory compliance while maintaining productive working relationships;
• Ability to provide outreach and education to the public regarding programs and initiatives of the Department and the Commission;
• Strong interpersonal, research, and communication skills required;
• Grant writing ability is desirable.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

The majority of work is performed under typical office conditions with minimal physical effort expended. Moderate physical effort is demanded in making inspections. Must be able to access all levels at a construction site. The employee frequently is required to walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to see an area peripherally and be able to judge distances and relationships spatially. Vision must be correctable to “normal” ranges.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work both inside and outside in weather conditions. The employee will work near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.

Motor Skills

Duties may involve assignments requiring the application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination to stretch, reach, or retrieve department materials. Examples include but are not limited to operating a motor vehicle or a personal computer.

Visual Demands

Visual demands require the employee to routinely read documents for general understanding; the employee is routinely required to review non-written materials for analytical purposes; the employee is required to be able to determine color differences.

EOE/AA