Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

Who We Are: The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is the state agency responsible for preserving the state's natural resources. They exercise responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection, and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. _ Who We Serve:_ Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to combine energy and environmental agencies under one Cabinet secretary. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) serves Commonwealth residents interested in outdoor recreational activities, clean energy solutions and those who work with animals and livestock. Equally, EOEEA works with energy consumers, power companies, clean energy providers and farmers to delicately balance the interaction with environmental protection laws and regulations while being a cornerstone for our economic prosperity. Job Opening: The Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife seeks applicants for the position of Assistant Director for Land and HabitatConservation (Program Manager VI) assigned to the Field Headquarters in Westborough, MA, to perform the following duties: * The Assistant Director for Land and Habitat Conservation (AD), based at the Field Headquarters in Westborough, is responsible for the supervision, oversight, guidance, and implementation of the land protection, land stewardship, and habitat restoration and management functions of the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). The AD leads a cross-disciplinary team of restoration ecologists, habitat biologists, and foresters, and works closely with District Managers, Administrators from across the agency, and Department of Fish & Game’s (DFG) Director of Land Protection to ensure that MassWildlife meets it habitat restoration, land stewardship, and land protection goals. The AD leads important initiatives such as setting MassWildlife’s land acquisition and habitat management priorities and developing critical partnerships with broad stakeholders and constituencies to conserve the Commonwealth’s biodiversity. The AD also works closely with Outreach and Education personnel to communicate with stakeholders, media, and the general public about habitat management and specific projects. The AD works with senior management on strategic planning, policy-setting, and capacity building, with a focus on collaborative landscape conservation, land protection, stewardship, and habitat restoration. MassWildlife is charged with the stewardship of all wildlife including mammals, freshwater fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the state, as well as endangered, threatened, and special concern species, including native wild plants and invertebrates. MassWildlife is a regulatory agency responsible for the conservation and management of inland (i.e. freshwater) fish and wildlife with over 235,000 acres land under the care and control of MassWildlife as well as the regulation of all fishing, hunting, and trapping activities. *MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY AREAS * * 1. Administer all aspects of MassWildlife’s Land and Habitat programs, including budgeting, contracting, personnel management. Work closely with the Director, Deputy Director, Associate Director, and senior management (Assistant Directors for Operations, Wildlife, Fisheries, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species and Outreach and Education) to establish policy, design and implement strategic initiatives associated with land acquisition, stewardship, and habitat management. (15%) 2. Oversee agency efforts to manage and restore habitat on over 235,000 acres of land under care and control of MassWildlife, including uplands, wetlands, and aquatic habitats; promote effective management and restoration on private, municipal, state and federal lands through technical assistance, partnerships, MassWildlife-offered grants, and communication. Ensure that agency habitat management priorities are being met in a cost-effective manner to ensure thriving populations of all wildlife and native plants, consistent with administration initiatives with emphasis on habitats with the greatest management needs and habitats supporting species of greatest conservation need as identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP); work with Habitat Program Manager (direct report) to ensure excellent coordination of project prioritization, planning, and implementation across all sections of the agency and with key partners; work to ensure understanding and support for habitat restoration efforts among the public, stakeholders, and key decision-makers. (25%) 3. Work to ensure cross-Division alignment of MassWildlife’s long-term biodiversity conservation strategies. Oversee MassWildlife’s efforts in collaborative state and regional landscape-scale conservation efforts and work with the Landscape Conservation Program Manager (direct report) and senior leadership to refine strategy and implementation. Refine and implement agency land protection priorities, in coordination with the DFG Director of Land Protection; engage and partner with other state agencies, municipalities, land trusts, landowners, and others on land protection and habitat management initiatives that further landscape conservation efforts and priorities. Oversee and coordinate closely with the Director, Deputy Director, and senior management to update the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Identify funding sources and oversee appropriate grant applications and develop and coordinate agency grant programs. (25%) 4. Oversee agency efforts to meet land stewardship goals related to boundary monitoring and marking, Wildlife Conservation Easement (WCE) monitoring, land use licenses and agreements, wildlife management area signage and related matters. Work closely with the Assistant Director for Operations, District Managers and other key personnel to implement stewardship, track monitoring, manage land use agreements and licenses, and identify additional opportunities for access; oversee procurement of stewardship-related contract services. (15%) 5. Represent the agency in local, regional and national forums for land conservation and habitat management, and others as deemed necessary. (15%) 6. Performs other duties as deemed necessary. (5%) A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition. * * * *PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS A. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge and experience in Wildlife, Fisheries, or Conservation Biology, Land Management or Policy, Ecological Restoration, Forestry or other related discipline. Demonstrate ability to communicate verbally and in writing on complex scientific issues to both the public and technical staff. Demonstrate ability to manage complex programs and initiatives, including development, implementation, and assessment of such strategies and/or initiatives. The incumbent in this position must have strong relationship management skills with the ability to effectively manage many internal and external relationships with many different people and engage a broad constituency including hunters and anglers, educators, state, federal, municipal, and non-profit partners, and the general public. Excellent customer relations ability. Excellent problem-solving skills. The proven ability to be flexible and adapt in a changing environment of ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies and other processes. Ability to inspire those around them, give clear directions, and foster teamwork. B. Experience Necessary Have a demonstrated ability to lead conservation or resource management programs involving habitat restoration, management, and land protection. Proven ability to develop effective grant proposals to earn grant funding for MassWildlife in a competitive environment. Experience working with partners and diverse stakeholders to implement on the ground conservation projects. Ability to articulate complex science-based land management issues to the public. Direct experience managing controversial issues of fisheries and wildlife management. 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 (5) 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 one (1) year must have been in a project management, 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 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. *Job: Science *Organization: Department of Fish And Game *Title: *Assistant Director for Land and Habitat Conservation Location: Massachusetts-Westborough-Rabbit Hill Road Requisition ID: 2400060X