Job Description

　　Do you have a passion for environmental issues and the drive to make meaningful progress on wetlands resource protection and climate resilience in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? If you're looking for a job where you can make a difference and work alongside other dedicated professionals on these and related critical issues, then read on about this opportunity with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

　　MassDEP's Wetlands Program, within the Bureau of Water Resources, is seeking an environmental professional to join our team. The Wetlands Program administers the Wetlands Protection Act regulations (310 CMR 10.00) and Water Quality Certification (314 CMR 9.00) regulations. As our new Environmental Analyst IV (EAIV), you will work within the Major Projects and Policy Unit (MPPU) with two main areas of responsibility:

　　• Manage planning, policy, guidance, and regulation development and implementation efforts to address the effects of climate change within jurisdictional inland and coastal areas and to ensure resilience considerations are reflected in related Program priorities. This includes managing MassDEP internal coordination and stakeholder/public engagement processes.

　　• Conduct project review, permitting, and compliance under relevant regulations for the Unit's portfolio, including Wetlands and §401 Water Quality Certification (401WQC) Variances, climate resilience/ecological restoration projects, and multi-town/statewide utility/infrastructure projects.

　　This position is based in MassDEP's Boston Office; however, a hybrid schedule may be offered. Field work and in-person meetings are expected.

　　Your essential job duties will include (these are not all-inclusive):

　　1. In coordination with the MPPU Supervisor and Program Chief, manage internal and external efforts to develop and implement updates to regulations, policy, and guidance, with a focus in resilience and ecological restoration issues.

　　• Assist with guidance, policy and regulation development and implementation, including scoping and drafting, MassDEP internal coordination, interagency consultation, stakeholder engagement, and guidance/policy issuance process, formal regulation promulgation process, and post-issuance outreach/training.

　　• Serve as a liaison with MassDEP regions and stakeholders to provide technical assistance, help facilitate permitting, and to ensure consistency in permit implementation for restoration and resilience projects.

　　• Coordinate Program analysis of implications of relevant existing and proposed state and federal laws, regulations, and executive orders (e.g., Clean Water Act, Federal Powers Act, Waters of the United States, Federal 401 Rule, Wetlands Protection Act and 401WQC).

　　• Coordinate interagency consultation efforts with relevant local, state, and federal entities on climate resilience/ecological restoration matters. For example, serve as co-lead for Interagency Coastal Resilience-Wetlands Restoration Workgroup.

　　• Coordinate associated stakeholder and public processes including conducting public hearings/information sessions, reviewing public comments, and preparing draft responses.

　　• Review documents submitted under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) for consistency with applicable regulations, prepare written comments for review prior to submission.

　　2. Conduct project review and permitting and identify opportunities for regulatory streamlining for the Major Projects and Policy Unit portfolio focusing on climate resilience/ecological restoration projects (e.g., salt marsh restoration), and also including multi-town/statewide infrastructure projects (e.g., renewable energy, utilities, and transportation), and Variances.

　　• Collaborate with Program to identify and implement opportunities to streamline / expedite planning and regulatory review of inland climate resilience and wetland restoration projects. Review and comment on relevant MEPA submissions, coordinate with / provide technical assistance to project proponents to help ensure adequate consideration of regulatory provisions, coordinate with MassDEP regions for consistency, and participate in outreach/training for local Conservation Commissions.

　　• Conduct project review during planning, design, permitting, construction, and post-construction to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of the Wetlands and 401WQC regulations.

　　o Coordinate with / provide guidance to project applicants and their consultants, local, state, and federal entities, and the public during all phases of the permitting process, including pre- and post-licensing activities.

　　o Prepare draft and final permit documents including application-specific special conditions and other documentation.

　　o Assess compliance with permit conditions and applicable laws and regulations through site inspections, and review of other information. Develop enforcement actions and/or corrective measures, as appropriate.

　　• Participate in administrative appeals and litigation as necessary, including collaborating with other DEP staff responsible for appeal coordination and oversight, assisting with development of settlement and litigation

　　3. Other duties, as assigned, may include collaborating with other MassDEP Programs as needed, developing and delivering presentations at various venues, and other tasks to support programmatic/operational/administrative priorities (e.g., supporting grant application/implementation and procurement processes).

　　The successful applicant will have:

　　1. Knowledge of policy, regulations, and case implementation related to wetlands, river, and coastal processes.

　　2. Direct experience with Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL C. 131, sec 40), WPA Regulations (310 CMR 10.00), Federal and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act (MGL C. 21, sec 27), and 401WQCRegulations (314 CMR 9.00) is preferred.

　　Experience developing or reviewing regulatory, policy, and/or guidance documents. Experience with construction projects during planning, design, and construction phases, such as developing and/or reviewing technical submittals and environmental permits. Experience in technical review related to wetlands delineation, wetlands mitigation, stream crossing design, stormwater assessments, or other relevant areas is preferred.

　　6. Ability to communicate effectively in written/oral forms with internal and external audiences, including professional correspondence, policy and technical report drafting and editing, and presentation preparation and delivery.

　　7. Ability to analyze complex data and information, draw conclusions, and summarize effectively for different audiences.

　　8. Ability to exercise tactful negotiation and problem-solving skills to resolve issues with internal and external parties.

　　9. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and tools of project management and ability to successfully multi-task.

　　10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and on-line communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.). Experience with geospatial platforms (e.g., ArcMap/MassGIS) is preferred.

　　11. Based on assignment, a valid driver's license may be 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) five 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 three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

　　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 one year of the required (A) experience.

　　III. A Graduate degree with a major in 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. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) 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.

　　Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

　　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.