Environmental Scientist III: Conservation Project Review Kent Conservation District, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish & Wildlife/Wildlife, McKay Wildlife and Hunter Education Field Office, - Smyrna, DE $44,755.00 – $55,944.00 per year
JOB DESCRIPTION: This is not a State Merit position. This is a contractual position with the opportunity to work long term. The Co-Environmental Review Coordinator and Conservation Database Manager positions are directly responsible for providing guidance and recommendations for landscape and development projects that have the potential to impact land, water and soil resources, waterbodies, wetlands, watershed buffers, and associated fish and wildlife species and their habitats, including rare species populations. These positions work with staff in other divisions, regulatory agencies, public and private land management agencies, and landowners and their consultants involved in landscape and development projects to identify, mitigate and minimize impacts to Delaware's land, water, soil, fish and wildlife resources. One position will focus on reviewing state transportation projects and manage databases tracking environmental reviews and rare species. The other position will focus on other projects including, but not limited to, state and federal wetland projects, land-use projects, National Environmental Protection Act permits, and site investigation and remediation projects. JOB DUTIES: Specific responsibilities include the following: • Provide site-specific recommendations for avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating impacts to Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) or enhancing SGCN habitat in consultation with Division staff and coordination with Departmental regulatory staff. • Provide Section 7 reviews ensuring federal Endangered Species act compliance for Division projects. • Prepare for and participate in monthly land-use Planners Technical Advisory Committee meetings, Joint Permit Processing Meetings, and Regulatory Advisory Committee Meetings. • Coordinate with federal, other state, and local government agencies on project reviews and on comprehensive land-use plans, codes, ordinances, and regulations. • Participate In interagency field reviews and meetings to assess potential Impacts of a project and to obtain information to guide site-specific recommendations. • Manage internal environmental review Microsoft Access and spatial databases. • Oversee contracts. • Supervise seasonal and/or contractual staff. • Develop and administer grants. • Conduct field surveys of project sites to determine presence of SGCN or suitable habitat to guide site-specific recommendations. • Provide technical assistance by performing site evaluations or assisting other staff biologists to assess habitat or SGCN status. • Provide guidance on SGCN for habitat restoration and management projects on private and public lands, and assist with setting land-protection priorities for conservation partners and for state agencies. QUALIFICATIONS: • Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Life, Physical, or Applied Science or related field. • Six months experience in environmental or natural resources project management which includes planning, developing, implementing, managing and evaluating environmental or natural resources projects to ensure objectives are met. • Three years’ experience in analyzing and evaluating scientific data. • Three years’ experience in interpreting environmental laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. • Six months experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data. • Six months experience in technical report writing. BENEFITS: The Kent Conservation District offers a comprehensive benefit package including: 37.5 hours work week with flexible scheduling options; 15 paid vacation days the first year; 9 paid holidays a year; and 15 paid sick leave days per year. Pension and health insurance are also included in the benefits package. Direct Deposit of paychecks will be required as a condition of employment for new employees.
