Job Description
Who We Are
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.
Who We Are as an Employer
At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.
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The Department of Conservation and Recreation's mission is to protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources for the wellbeing of all. The DCR is steward to one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation which includes more than 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails, golf courses and parkways. DCR strives to be an exemplary leader in conservation and recreation. DCR's staff is passionate, dedicated, and continuously employs best practices that are informed by expertise, and creates a sense of place through carrying out the mission.
Job Opening:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks applicants for the position of Regional Planner III - MassTrails Grants Program Manager to perform the following duties:
Location of reporting office is 136 Damon Road, Northampton, MA. DCR headquarters is 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA.
Please submit a cover letter and resume as part of the application process.
About the Division of Design and Engineering:
The DCR's Division of Design and Engineering program spans across many engineering disciplines from environmental engineering, renewable energies, facilities, construction, and transportation projects, water resources and dam safety, and electrical engineering. With the 3rd largest capital program budget in Massachusetts state government, our dynamic team engages in the adaptation of public lands and historic infrastructure to improve climate resiliency, supports critical infrastructure and public works, energy conservation, and stewardship of public works and resources
General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:
Trails are the intersection of conservation, community, transportation and recreation. They connect Massachusetts residents and visitors to the places in which we live, learn, work, shop and play.
MassTrails seeks to expand and connect the Commonwealth's networks of off-road, shared-use pathways, and recreational trails for all users across Massachusetts. Through the leadership and collaboration of the inter-agency MassTrails Team, it does this by providing matching grants, technical assistance, and resources to individuals, municipalities, Native nations, non-profits, and other public entities to design, construct, and maintain high quality trails in Massachusetts.
The MassTrails Grants Program Manager is a core member of the MassTrails team, supporting the MassTrails Director, working in partnership with the other MassTrails Grant Program Manager, and contributing to every aspect of the work undertaken by that team. Specific duties include but are not limited to grant management, project monitoring, and technical assistance. Duties also include organization and implementation of the MassTrails Statewide Conference and other educational trainings and events. Additional duties include providing expertise and guidance on DCR Trails and Greenways and agency-wide initiatives, programs, and processes. The MassTrails Grants Program Manager works closely with the Inter-Agency Trails Team, the Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB), the DCR Trails and Greenways Section, other DCR sections, and public and private partners to accomplish this work.
Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:
MassTrails: One Inter-Agency Trails Team, one Vision, one Action Plan
- Work with the MassTrails Director on program oversight, management, execution, reporting, marketing, and analysis. These tasks are undertaken in coordination with the Inter-Agency Trails Team (EEA, MassDOT, and DCR).
- Coordinate with participating agencies to communicate and target technical assistance, resources, and funding to communities, focusing on building the "Priority Network" of trails and trail opportunities for underserved communities and populations across the Commonwealth.
- Participate in strategic planning, policy development, data collection, and stakeholder outreach to work toward the goal of enhancing the full network of trails across the state through analysis of economic opportunity, health, equity, transportation alternatives, climate resilience, and accessibility for all.
- Gain knowledge of the extent of shared-use path and recreational trail opportunities across Massachusetts through site visits and experiences with partners and colleagues!
MassTrails Grants Program: Build, Maintain, and Manage the MassTrails Grants Program
- The MassTrails Grant Program is the priority initiative of MassTrails. It provides matching grants to communities, public entities, Native nations, and non-profit organizations to plan, design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail systems, and trails experiences used and enjoyed by Massachusetts residents and visitors. Applications are accepted annually for a variety of well-planned trail projects benefiting communities across the state.
- Provide leadership, administrative, and technical support in the ongoing development and management of a statewide grant program.
- Provide guidance to grantees through group trainings or one-on-one meetings on the application process, program regulations, contracting, regulatory compliance, scope and budget, and reporting requirements.
- Develop and design marketing, branding, and communications initiatives that support the MassTrails Grants Program.
- Maintain and further develop the MassTrails website, its complementary online grant application and reporting portals, and its trails resources and development tools.
- Assist in the creation of maps, graphics, charts, and tables as they relate to and support the MassTrails Grants Program and trail network planning and development.
- Conduct pre- and post-project site visits to capture site specific data helpful to program management and analysis of overall program goals and trail network planning.
- Celebrate MassTrails Grants and their impacts on all residents and visitors in Massachusetts!
MassTrails Educational Programs and Development & the MassTrails Conference
- Organize and implement the MassTrails Conference in coordination with MassTrails staff, DCR, MARTAB, Inter-Agency Trails Team, the Governor's office, private funding organizations, and the statewide trails community.
- Organize, prepare and offer grant workshops to train DCR agency personnel, trails groups and individuals.
- Develop, Organize and Implement the use of RTP Education Funds in other training capacities, in partnership with MARTAB and DCR staff.
- Provide presentations about MassTrails and other trail-related information to groups across the state.
- Provide technical advice, guidance and information to trail-related professionals and volunteers on the statewide, regional and national level. Connect groups together that can assist each other whenever possible.
- Attend trainings and educational events and "get hands dirty" learning how trails are planned, designed, built, and maintained!
DCR Trails and Greenways Coordination and Communication
- Provide expertise and guidance on DCR agency-wide initiatives, programs, and processes.
- Provide expertise to DCR staff in trail system planning efforts on select DCR trail systems. Assist DCR staff in management of DCR trail projects, including trail design, permitting, and construction / reconstruction.
- Get to know DCR, its parks and forests, facilities, employees and stakeholders and work to connect DCR to communities to implement positive change and development which benefits all residents and visitors in Massachusetts!
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of urban and regional planning, and shared-use path feasibility, design, construction, and maintenance.
- Experience in urban shared-use path development and familiarity with MassTrails Priority Network.
- Experience with grant program administration.
- Experience planning events and/or trainings.
- Ability to solve complex social, environmental, political, and design problems.
- Ability to prepare both general and technical reports, including a demonstrated knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation computer programs and financial management systems and budgets.
- Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Ability to read and interpret design drawings/plans.
- Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with persons of all ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
- Ability to understand, apply and explain laws, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines to accomplish daily work objectives.
- Willingness to work in office and outdoor settings.
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 urban or regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning or land use planning, and (B) of which 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:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for two years of the required (A) experience.
II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental studies may be substituted for 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 three years of the required experience. Substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
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.
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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.