Environmental Analyst III-(23000C7I)

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 III (EAIII), you will work within the Major Projects and Policy Unit (MPPU) with three main areas of responsibility:

Assist planning, policy, guidance, and regulation development and implementation efforts to address the effects of climate change within jurisdictional areas and to ensure resilience considerations are reflected in related Program priorities. The focus will be on coastal resilience and coastal ecological restoration efforts and assistance with MassDEP internal coordination and stakeholder/public engagement processes.
Support the Program’s acquisition, development, and dissemination of data related to coastal and other wetlands mapping initiatives. These mapping efforts provide important data on the status of the Commonwealth’s wetland resources - including impacts of climate change - to MassDEP, other resource agencies, researchers, stakeholders, project proponents, and others.
Support project review, permitting, and compliance under the Wetlands Protection Act and Water Quality Certification regulations for the Unit’s portfolio, including Wetlands and 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):

The Environmental Analyst will receive supervision from the Wetlands Mapping Analyst (EAIV) and work in coordination with the MPPU Supervisor and Program Chief.

1. Assist internal and external efforts to develop and implement updates to regulations, policy, and guidance, with a focus on coastal resilience and ecological restoration issues.

· Assist with (non-engineering) 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.

· Participate in interagency consultation efforts with relevant local, state, and federal entities on climate resilience/ecological restoration matters. For example, participate in ResilientMass-Coastal initiative to ensure consistency with wetlands regulations.

· 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.

· Assist with oversight and management of contractors/consultants.

2.Support wetlands mapping initiatives such as seasonal eelgrass mapping, climate vulnerability corridors project, and periodic wetlands change mapping/assessment.

GIS analysis
Support development and implementation of methodologies and procedures for the acquisition, development, accumulation, and dissemination of geospatial scientific data such as: wetland boundary delineation and classification; wetland change detection; wetland mitigation, including wetland creation, restoration, or enhancement activities or opportunities; submerged aquatic vegetation (eelgrass), and other regulatory, natural resource, and/or ecological features.
Assist with oversight and management of contractors’/consultants’ filed work and deliverables.
Provide testimony in enforcement cases as required.

3.Support project review and permitting and identify opportunities for regulatory streamlining for the Unit’s portfolio, with a focus on coastal wetlands restoration projects (e.g., salt marsh restoration).

Support identification and implementation of opportunities to streamline / expedite regulatory review of coastal 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.
Assist with project review during planning, design, permitting, construction, and post-construction to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of the Wetlands and 401WQC regulations.
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.
Assist with draft and final permit documents including application-specific special conditions and other documentation.
Support assessment of 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.
Assist in administrative appeals and litigation as necessary.

4.Other duties, as assigned. This 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. 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 401 Water Quality Certification Regulations (314 CMR 9.00) is preferred.

2. Experience developing or reviewing regulatory, policy, and/or guidance documents is preferred.

3. Experience using ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro and other GIS-related tools. Experience using MassGIS data layers.

4. Experience using geospatial analysis and photoimagery assessment techniques to assess vegetation, delineate boundaries, and create maps. Specific knowledge of wetland and eelgrass delineation.

5. Knowledge of various data capture technologies and software, field verification and quality control techniques, and editing of digital data layers.

6. Experience with feature recognition software, including feature analyst is preferred.

7. Experience managing field teams and/or contractors and being responsible for deliverables.

8. Experience with construction projects during planning, design, and construction phases, such as developing and/or reviewing technical submittals and environmental permits.

9.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.

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

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

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

13.Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and on-line communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.).

14.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) four 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 two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

Please see application link for substitution information.

Comprehensive Benefits

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.