Oversees and directs the Private Forest Conservation Establishment program (PFCE). This program purchases easements on private property for the purpose creating forests through plantings and/or preserving forests through retention of existing forested areas.  This position also works to achieve the goals of the County’s Plant It Green residential reforestation programs as well as other natural resource management programs.

Performs advance level natural resources work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Oversees the county-wide forest mitigation program and administers contracts with growers and other contractual service providers.

• Identifies eligible properties through GIS analysis and site evaluation.
• Works with landowners by negotiating and entering into agreements to obtain forest conservation easements.  
• Responsible for marketing, promoting and developing promotional materials for the PFCE and residential reforestation programs. 
• Manages PFCE budget in excess of 1 million dollars.
• Prioritizes projects based on environmentally sensitive features that will be protected as well as proximity to the Green Infrastructure Network.
• Completes planting plan and site maps based on GPS coordinates.
• Orchestrates approval of PFCE sites through Real Estate Services, Department of Planning and Zoning, Soil Conservation, MD Environmental Trust, and the Agricultural Preservation Board.
• Works with multiple departments and divisions such as the Real Estate Services to initiate deed research, Surveys and Engineering to complete field surveys and plat documents, and the Department of Planning and Zoning for the recordation of the easements.  
• Oversees project management from materials acquisition, coordinating site prep and planting labor, through continued monitoring and maintenance until the site is closed.

• Monitors forest conservation easements and develops management plans to insure plant survival, coordinates management with coworkers.

• Facilitates site closure of PFCE easements, remains a point of contact with property owner.

• Maintains computerized inventories of residential reforestation programs.
• Coordinates environmental projects with the Office of Environmental Sustainability.
• Coordinates volunteer tree plantings with the Forestry Section on parkland and with schools through the Students Branching Out program. 
• Attends outreach and education events, such as Greenfest, to promote forestry programs

• Position is identified by the Department as essential and will be required to work emergency situations that include staffing the Department Operation Center (DOC).
• Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of Department operations.
• Supports other County natural resource management programs, as necessary.

Bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources or related field.
• A minimum of three years of experience in forest conservation and public outreach programs.
• Basic computer skills plus proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and basic GIS and MapInfo skills. 
• Experience conducting vegetative surveys with a strong background in native and nonnative plant identification skills.
• Preferred, or must obtain within one year of employment: MD Roadside Tree Care Expert; ISA Certified Arborist, and MD DNR Qualified Professional in Forest Conservation certifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment encountered with this position is a combination of both indoor environments consistent with working in an office, meeting/classroom and in outdoor interpretation. This would include activities in hot, cold, wet, rainy, snowy and other forms of inclement weather conditions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TO APPLY:  You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. 

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.       

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at  hripkin@howardcountymd.gov.  Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.