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NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNER III

Recreation Planner

Recruitment #24-002309-0011

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Introduction

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

GRADE

16

LOCATION OF POSITION

580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, MD; Anne Arundel County

Main Purpose of Job

This position is responsible for administering recreation related programs and activities within the Maryland Forest Service (MFS) that are essential in assisting the MFS in fulfilling its mission to “connect people to the land.” This position works with state forest staff to provide oversight, planning, design, and new construction of sustainable natural surface trails on State Forests, demonstration forests, the Chesapeake Forest Lands, and any other lands the forest service actively manages or co-manages. The position will actively manage SHA Trail Grant projects, work with state forest staff with the development of new Trail Grants, and pursue and manage other recreation related grants (NRT, LWCF) as needed. In coordination with state forest staff, the position will also utilize funds from annual revenue from the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Excise Tax fund to provide development, construction, and implementation of new ORV Trail Projects and maintenance. Generally supports the state forest staff with all aspects of nature-based recreation opportunities.

Communication with state forest staff is critical to the success of the position. The position ensures that all current and proposed recreational activities and projects are consistent with sustainable management / forest certification standards. Works with state forest staff to develop recreation projects for the State Forest Annual Work Plans and Sustainable Forest Management Plans. Maintains trail data using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, maps trail data points using Global Positioning System (GPS) recorders, and provides visitors services as needed. Frequently evaluates trail conditions and makes recommendations to the forest manager for maintenance needs and may assist with the maintenance. Leads in the design and publication of trail guides, and develops appropriate trail signage and informational materials for visitors. Tracks and produces estimates of trail and other recreational use metrics. The position may lead work crews or evaluate the efficacy of contract or seasonal work crews, and work with the state forest staff to develop and implement tasks for volunteers, seasonal or contract work crews to maintain the state forest recreational features. Frequent travel to state forests is expected. Assistance with emergency trail maintenance/clearance from time to time is expected. 

The position will also meet the MFS recreational services needs by serving as a liaison to the DNR Office or Outdoor Recreation (OOR), DNR Park Service, DNR LPRP and e-bike working groups, State Highway Administration (SHA), county governments, non-profit organizations, and generally represents the Maryland Forest Service’s interests on recreational boards and committees and makes recreation related recommendations to those boards and committees.

POSITION DUTIES

This position supports the state forest staff with all aspects of nature-based recreation opportunities, with a major focus on trails Works with state forest staff to provide oversight, planning, design, and new construction of sustainable natural surface trails on State Forests, demonstration forests, the Chesapeake Forest Lands, and any other lands the forest service actively manages or co-manages. The position will actively manage SHA Trail Grant projects, work with state forest staff with the development of new Trail Grants and pursue and manage other recreation related grants (NRT, LWCF) as needed. In coordination with state forest staff, the position will also utilize funds from annual revenue from the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Excise Tax fund to provide development, construction, and implementation of new ORV Trail Projects and maintenance. The position provide straining on sustainable trail practices to seasonal staff, leads in the design and publication of trail guides, and other recreation related interpretive materials. The position ensures that all current and proposed recreational activities and projects are consistent with sustainable management / forest certification standards, maintains trail data using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, maps trail data points using GPS recorders, develops appropriate trail signage and informational materials for visitors, and provides visitor interpretative assistance as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an environmental science or natural resources planning, management or development.

Experience: Three years of experience in natural resources planning or applied environmental science.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, biological sciences and one year of experience in natural resources planning or applied environmental science for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources planning, management, administration, development, environmental, urban or regional planning; resources economics or development; environmental system management; water or land resources planning and management; environmental landscape architecture; or the physical, biological, chemical or environmental sciences for up to three years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the general natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or general natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the general natural resources management and biological sciences field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in planning and construction of trails.
  • Experience in forest management or natural resources management.
  • Experience working with federal, state and local partner agencies.
  • Basic knowledge of Federal programs including Forest Resource Planning, Forest Inventory & Analysis.
  • Possession of a Class A or B CDL driver's license.
  • Completion of the S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws or equivalent courses.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees appointed to this position will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee will be required to frequently travel throughout the state and regionally for project and committee work. This will require overnight travel on a regular basis.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day. 

If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application before the announcement deadline or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Adriana Parravano at Adriana.Parravano@maryland.gov.

Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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