Director, Division of Conservation Services

Job title:

Director, Division of Conservation Services

Company

Massachusetts Trial Court

Job description

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.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.The Director of Conservation Services serves as the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs expert in regard to land conservation and stewardship. Working to influence land conservation and development patterns – especially where land is permanently protected – to advance EEA’s climate, energy, and environmental goals is a key responsibility of the position. The Director is the EEA lead in regard to implementation of the Resilient Lands Initiative (the state plan for land conservation & stewardship) via the Resilient Lands Conservation Coalition.As the Secretary’s Designee, the Director represents EEA on several boards and commissions, including the Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee and the Woodlands Partnership of Western Massachusetts Board. The Director also convenes and facilitates groups like the Resilient Lands Conservation Coalition and the Interagency Lands Committee.In an advisory capacity, the Director supports the Secretary on the State Commission for Conservation of Soil, Water, and Related Resources and provides strategic guidance for programs like Greening the Gateway Cities, Cooling Corridors, Riparian Tree Planting/Restoration, and the Working Forest Restriction Programs. These efforts advance land and forest conservation and stewardship across the state.The Director supervises staff responsible for the review and approval of Conservation Restrictions (CR). Massachusetts statute requires the Secretary’s signature for CRs to become perpetual. The Director and their team ensure that each CR is properly drafted, serves a public purpose, and meets all legal requirements before recommending them for the Secretary’s approval.Additionally, the Director oversees EEA’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program, including the statutorily created OHV Committee and Trust. This includes coordinating with state agencies and supervising the Program Manager, who administers the grant program, liaises with riding groups, and manages other OHV-related initiatives.Finally, under the Director’s supervision, the Conservation Services team reviews proposed actions involving the disposition or change of use of land protected under Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, ensuring compliance with the Open Space Act and EEA’s Article 97 Policy.Major Responsibility Areas:

• Manage the nine Division staff who are responsible for twelve grant and tax credit programs, the review of 100-200 conservation restrictions per year, coordination with 13 Conservation Districts and the State Commission on Soil, Water and Related Resources, the Off Highway Vehicle Program, and other endeavors.
• Advise EEA leadership on funding, policy, and programmatic decisions to conserve and steward land and natural resources and mitigate and adapt to climate change. Implement the Resilient Lands Initiative (the state land conservation plan), the Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative, and the Healthy Soils Action Plan. Facilitate monthly Interagency Lands Committee Meetings, help organize the annual State Agency-Land Trust Retreat and the annual Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference, attend Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee meetings, apply for NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, and other grants, issue an annual Land Report, etc.
• Advance forest conservation & management initiatives, including development and implementation of carbon sequestration policies and programs to implement the Global Warming Solutions Act, Clean Energy and Climate Plan, and the Response to the Report of the Climate Forestry Committee; coordinate with DCR Forestry including the Working Forest Initiative, and help them implement the Climate Stewardship Incentive Program; support the Greening the Gateway Cities Program including municipal/NGO grants; further new forestry initiatives including efforts to advance use of Mass Timber, etc.
• Address legislation, with a focus on implementation of the Open Space Act and EEA’s Art. 97 Policy (15%): Review bills (25-35 per year) affecting Article 97 protected conservation, park, water supply, and farmland under government care and control to apply the Open Space Act and assure implementation of EEA’s “No Net Loss” of Open Space Policy. Address other land/forest laws and legislative proposals to advance EEA’s interests such as the protection of Lampson Brook Farm in Belchertown. Otherwise work with EEA legislative staff to develop and address natural resource related legislation on behalf of the Secretary & Governor’s Office.
• Manage EEA involvement with the Woodlands Partnership of Western Massachusetts and Lampson Brook Farm (15%): Work with the Farm & Partnership Boards and sub-committees, regional planning agencies, towns, the US Forest Service, and capital, operational and grant funders. Assist in the implementation of Lampson Brook Farm legislation. Coordinate the procurement, contracting, and management of grants under EEA’s Woodlands Partnership and other grant programs.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least five years of management experience in a policy making/supervisory role.
• At least 5 years’ experience working with land conservation and stewardship tools and techniques.
• Extensive experience working with public officials and making public presentations.
• Experience in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, public policy/administration, or a similar discipline.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to be able to work well one-on-one and when speaking to large audiences.
• The ability to exercise sound judgment & make good decisions in sometimes stressful situations.
• Disciplined use of time and resources as the job has many diverse responsibilities that require good organization and efficiency.
• Strong supervisory and management skills in order to deal effectively with contractors, direct reports, and other agency employees.
• Technical knowledge of state government policies and programs, state statutes, municipal government, forestry and land management practices.
• Intimate knowledge of how public and private land conservation is accomplished in Massachusetts, including opportunities, challenges, and needs of different sectors and stakeholder groups.

QualificationsMINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.Substitutions:I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.Comprehensive BenefitsWhen 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.Want the specifics?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.

Expected salary

Location

Boston, MA

Job date

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:14:42 GMT

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