Conservation Agent

Town of Marblehead•Marblehead, MA

1d•$66,626 - $86,614•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
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;

Nice To Haves

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;
Grant writing ability is desirable.

Responsibilities

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.
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.