Planning Specialist jobs in Springfield, MA

About the Department of Conservation and Recreation: The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation and protects and enhances natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts. The DCR system includes over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails, golf courses and parkways.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for the position of Regional Planner IV - Land Protection Specialist West Region, office location will be 136 Damon Road, Northampton or other location to be determined within the Office of the General Counsel.

DCR has a robust Land Acquisition Program that acquires land and conservation restrictions (CRs) to permanently protect important natural, cultural and recreational resources, increase climate resilience and protect the integrity of the State Parks system, and secures easements and interests in land to facilitate DCR capital projects including multi-use trails.

As part of DCR’s Statewide Land Protection Program the Land Protection Specialist will plan, coordinate, and implement land acquisition and protection projects and initiatives in DCRs West Region (most of Berkshire County). The Land Protection Specialist will also coordinate and represent the Department’s involvement in land protection and disposition projects and issues, and provide technical assistance and outreach to private individuals, non-profits, and municipal partners throughout the region.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan, coordinate, and implement land acquisition, protection, and disposition projects and initiatives in the West Region based on current data and policies as part of DCR's Statewide Land Protection Program. Coordinate and represent the Department’s involvement in land and resource planning and protection projects, initiatives and issues, and provide technical assistance and outreach to private individuals, non-profits, government entities, and elected officials throughout the region(s).

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and evaluate tracts of land primarily in the West Region, (and other regions as assigned) to be protected by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, based upon their ecological, recreational, archaeological/historic, and natural landscape significance according to DCR’s statewide Land Protection Program guidelines and criteria.
• Conduct site investigations and develop information necessary to acquire land or interests in land, including preliminary contact and negotiation with landowners both private and public; obtain data required for appraisal and title work, prepare visual and written materials required for final decisions on such acquisitions, and present projects to the DCR Lands Committee.
• Use GPS, GIS and a wide range of technical data to document and analyze resource values and create maps showing resource values and proximity to existing protected lands.
• Research property values and determine approximate acquisition, improvement and ongoing maintenance costs to DCR.
• Oversee and manage an average of 20 consultant contracts per year by preparing scopes of service, soliciting and reviewing bids, and issuing notices to proceed; managing and responding to consultant questions; reviewing and approving drafts and final reports; and approving invoices and facilitating payment - for appraisal, title exam, environmental site assessment, site survey, and other services as needed and consistent with EOEEA specifications.
• Draft purchase and sales agreements and other transactional documents for legal review, when necessary.
• Assist the press in media coverage and External Affairs in state-related media content and event coordination when appropriate.
• Leverage state acquisition dollars through negotiating bargain sales, soliciting donations of conservation lands and securing state and federal grant funds.
• Manage and administer grant funded projects, often in coordination with non-profit, state, and the federal partners to ensure compliance with state and federal contract requirements and long-range planning strategies.
• Coordinate DCR involvement in land protection efforts with federal and state agencies, regional planning organizations, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and land trusts to negotiate partnerships and jointly acquire properties of mutual interest.
• Provide technical and planning assistance to DCR Division of State Parks staff throughout the region on issues related to resource and land protection; coordinate or serve as a member of internal teams assessing use or change of use of DCR lands, management issues, and other park related projects.
• Address and resolve Article 97 disposition requests in coordination with proponents, DCR attorneys, Operations Staff and DCAMM; evaluate potential impacts on resource and recreation values, compliance with EOEEA Article 97 Disposition Policy and the Public Lands Preservation Act, and make recommendations on an appropriate course of action in compliance with agency policy. Review and comment on Article 97 legislation to ensure policy compliance.
• Review Environmental Notification Forms (ENF) and Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) submitted to Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) within the West Region and coordinate with other DCR staff to provide agency comments to EOEEA relative to potential impacts to DCR facilities and interests.
• Negotiate mutually acceptable Conservation Restriction (CR) terms that protect a property’s resource values and DCR’s acquisition interests (including public access), and are realistic to monitor.
• Provide support and information to CR Stewardship Coordinator to complete Baseline Documentation Reports for CRs in the West Region. Work to remain current with best management practices regarding CRs including stewardship policies, CR amendment policies, enforcement policies, and CR monitoring.
• Work with DCR’s Land Protection Team to develop and/or update of the statewide DCR Land Acquisition Strategy, including integration of current resource and climate change data in support of Agency and Secretariat priorities and policies.
• Coordinate with the Resource Management Planning Program and DCR Division of State Parks on existing and future management needs for newly acquired lands and assist in the preparation and review of Resource Management Plans as they relate to land protection.
• Provide technical assistance on methods of land and natural resource protection, including land acquisition strategies, to federal and state agencies, regional planning organizations, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and land trusts.
• Represent the Department at meetings and workshops ranging from formal presentations to attendance for resource identification, networking and negotiation purposes.
• Respond to public inquiries and draft correspondence.
• Perform other duties as required.

PREFERRED 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) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time technical or professional experience in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning or land use planning, and (B) of which at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and (C) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for two years d the required (A) experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for 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 on the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required experience. Substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitution will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

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.