CONSERVATION AGENT/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER

CONSERVATION AGENT/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER

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Environmental Planner/Conservation Agent

MTP 6 - $67,042 - $86,599

Definition

Professional, technical and administrative support functions for the Conservation Commission, and environmental planning functions for the Town. Assists with coordination of a range of sustainability and environmental efforts in town and assists the Conservation Commission in its administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Arlington Bylaw for Wetlands Protection and management of property under Conservation Commission management or control. Outside of special projects or tasks, duties of the position will be evenly split between Conservation Commission-related tasks and environmental planning activities

Supervision

The administrator staffs the Conservation Commission and is a member of the Department of Planning and Community Development. The administrator is supervised by the Director of Planning and Community Development and the Conservation Commission through its Chair.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed under typical office conditions; some work is conducted in the field with exposure to various weather conditions and hazards associated with construction sites. Employee is frequently required to attend meetings outside of normal business hours.

The employee operates standard office equipment.

Work is also conducted throughout Town as required to investigate residential, commercial, or public properties and projects as requested by the Conservation Commission.

The employee has frequent contact with other departments, town committees and commissions, the general public, permit applicants and their technical consultants, town, regional, state and federal officials. Communication is by telephone, text, correspondence, and in person.

Errors in judgement could result in violations of the Wetland Protection Act or Town Bylaw for Wetlands Protection, loss of the protection of natural resources and damages to land within in the floodplain.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Professional development and training opportunities may be provided. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of state and local environmental regulations and bylaws, oversees protection and management of conservation land.,

Investigates applicability of laws or seeks clarification of jurisdiction, for specific cases, from Town Counsel and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Drafts recommended set of actions for each project to the Commission and drafts and issues: Orders of Conditions; Determinations of Applicability; Orders of Resource Area Delineation; Extensions to Orders of Conditions; Amendments to Orders of Conditions; and Certificates of Compliance.

Conducts site visits at residential, commercial or public properties for purposes of permitting, pre-construction, compliance monitoring, and enforcement.

Provides field oversight of projects of the Conservation Commission. Assists in oversight of environmental and climate adaptation projects. Assists with public process related to environmental planning, Conservation Commission and Open Space Committee initiatives.

Prepares and distributes agendas, meeting notices and detailed minutes, and attends bi-weekly Commission meetings (usually first and third Thursday evening of each month)

Manages Commission correspondence, public communications, and records.

Verifies delineations of wetlands and other resource areas for the Commission.

Coordinates the ongoing professional development and training of the Commissioners as well as the education of the general public about the protection of natural resources and the Commission's role and activities.

Provides technical and professional guidance to the general public, landowners, developers and public officials and unlimited technical advice and professional consultation with the Conservation Commission and Town officials.

Reviews development and permit applications for administrative completeness and technical compliance with state and local Wetlands Protection laws and regulations.

Gathers and analyzes data and prepares formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence on environmental issues.

Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities in particular neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning.

Coordinates with other Town departments on environmental planning activities, special projects and agendas.

Serve as liaison and expert to various Town committees, community groups, and regional planning initiatives.

Tracks relevant local and state environmental policies and keeps Town informed of policy implications.

Engage with and support various community groups on environmental sustainability and opportunities to increase sustainability.

Provide grant-related support, including grant writing, monitoring, and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

bachelor's degree in environmental science, urban or community planning, public administration or related field is required. Minimum three years administering Massachusetts Wetlands Protection laws and regulations; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in neighborhood-based or community planning. GIS experience highly desired. MACC and/or AICP certification preferable. Possession of a valid Massachusetts motor vehicle operator's license.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Strong working knowledge of best practices in environmental planning. Knowledge of planning principles and practices.

Knowledge of Massachusetts and municipal wetlands protection laws and regulations.

Ability to work independently and proactively. Ability to keep accurate and detailed notes and records. Ability to read and interpret plans. Ability to analyze, identify and solve complex problems. Ability to review plans and apply provisions of state and local laws and regulations to determine compliance with such requirements and to apply regulations to field conditions. Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously. Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed. Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.

Excellent organizational skills. Strong written and oral communication skills. Skill with computers including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and GIS and internet applications. Oral communication and interpersonal skills to present research findings to various boards and committees. Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined practical problems. Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops.

Project field management or construction management experience is desirable.

Physical requirements

Only minimal physical effort is generally required to perform duties under typical office conditions. The employee is frequently required to sit, speak, hear and use hands to operate office equipment.

Site visits generally require more strenuous activities including the ability to walk on uneven ground, slopes and brushy and/or wet areas to inspect properties for their specific compliance under Wetlands Protection laws.

Vision requirements include the ability to read lengthy detailed documents and plans, use a computer, and operate an automobile.

Other information: Non Union/FLSA Exempt

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Code : 5-1

Location : HUD PLANNING

Grade : MTP 6 NU

Group : NON-UNION

Job Class : ENV PLANNER/CONSERV AGENT

Posting Start : 10/23/2026

Posting End : 11/16/2026

Details : Applicant Tracking

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