Forestry Program Specialist (Program Specialist II)

, MD, United States

Anne Arundel County Government is seeking a full-time, permanent, Safety Sensitive Forestry Program Specialist (Program Specialist II) within the Inspection Division of the Department of Inspections & Permits.

The goal of the Forestry program is to manage and assist with the implementation of forestation, reforestation, afforestation, preservation, and other conservation efforts to increase the amount of forest cover and tree canopy in the County.

The Forestry Program Specialist position will assist and provide support to the Forestry Program Manager with meeting the forestry program goals; work with work closely with internal and external stakeholders, managing contractors, identifying new planting locations, seeking agreement from private landowners, creating program materials, and tracking data on preservation and tree planting efforts carried out through the program.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK The occupational field of program management work involves directing or carrying out assignments in one or more programs that are directly related to the department's/agency's mission of providing services to County residents. This field of work is distinguished from management-support functions such as personnel, budgeting, or other administrative-type tasks which are designed to facilitate the activities of other employees providing direct services. The majority of contacts are with employees in the same or other departments and agencies of the County government, State and Federal agencies, and non-profit and private sector organizations. The purpose of the contacts, which normally are cooperative, but can be difficult, with both parties working toward mutual goals, is for planning, coordinating, or resolving program operating problems.

An employee in this class utilizes knowledge of program management support and program subject matter principles, techniques, functions, regulations, and procedures in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating or carrying out assignments in one or more programs. The employee independently plans and carries out the aspects of program development, implementation, and evaluation, and resolves problems and deviations in accordance with policies and program practices. The supervisor assists in unusual situations and reviews methods and approaches used in carrying out the employee's program support activities for conformance to policy and established requirements. The employee adapts standard program practices and procedures to meet situations or cases not fully covered by existing guidelines, and modification of current guides. Decisions involve conditions and factors that must be identified and analyzed to determine relationships with existing criteria. Work output affects the social, physical, or emotional well-being of program participants or recipients of services.(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary levels for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of all positions in the class.)

Review and processing of Vegetation Management Plans for applicability of Critical Area and Forest Conservation Act mandate areas.

Review and approval of reforestation security releases, development and implementation of reforestation planting plans, and update and query of reforestation database as needed

Provide forestry-related guidance and respond to the public and County agency staff as requested. Assist enforcement staff in their response to forestry-related complaints.

Participate in special projects as necessary to further County and Departmental forestry mandates, including mitigation of existing violations and utilization of fee-in-lieu monies for reforestation projects.

Assist the County in meeting its public education and outreach requirements relative to Critical Area and Forest Conservation Act legislation.

Participate in land use regulation activities. Review and comment on proposed legislation, environmental impact statements, surplus property information, property identified for purchase, etc as it relates to the County’s natural resources.

Assist other code compliance staff and other County departments in appropriately addressing environmental issues.

Review forest management, and vegetative plans throughout the county; make recommendations for program improvements.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Considerable knowledge of the program areas related to the department/agency to which the position is assigned.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of program development, implementation, and evaluation.

Considerable knowledge of standard processes involved in procurement and/or contract management.

Considerable knowledge of Federal and/or State Grant funding requirements and regulations, as required.

Ability to prepare, interpret, and evaluate program proposals and modifications.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.

Ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office, if necessary. Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public or business administration or a related field.

Experience: Two or more years of experience in program management or *another specialty area directly related to the specific position.

*Note: Program/Specialization area refers to experience in managing programs related to forestry, reforestation, preservation; tree planting, inspection, or evaluation programs; such as landscaping; forestry; natural resources management; arboriculture; or tree nursery operations.

NOTE: This is a Safety Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.

Note: Accredited University or College is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accrediting agencies it recognizes for schools within the United States.

For a University or College outside the United States, the applicant must provide documentation of accreditation and educational equivalency, which can be accomplished through a credential evaluation service. Applicants with a foreign degree must provide this documentation upon the close of the announcement.Preference will be given to candidates with the following: 1. Experience in urban forestry practices with a demonstrable ability to identify native trees, plans, and nursery stock. 2. Familiarity with State and Local Critical Area and Forest Conservation Act legislative requirements. 3. Experience in contract administration procedures related to reforestation, afforestation, and preservation projects. 4. Experience dealing with arborists, landscape contractors, and the general public in responding to inquiries, and requests for security releases and in the review and enforcement of Standard Vegetative Management and Buffer Management Plans. 5. Experience with ARC GIS, and Microsoft Excel programs. 6. Qualified applicants must be registered as a Maryland Licenses Tree Expert by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or as an I.S.A Certified Arborist, or have the ability to obtain same within 12 months of hire.

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