Title: Natural Heritage Locality Liaison

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $50,000 - $60,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation

Location: MAIN STREET CENTRE

Agency Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the state’s lead conservation agency, and it takes a diverse agency to conserve resources for a diverse commonwealth.

The Natural Heritage Program's mission is conserving Virginia's biodiversity through inventory, protection, and stewardship. The Virginia Natural Area Preserves Act, 10.1-209 through 217 of the Code of Virginia, was passed in 1989 and codified DCR's powers and duties related to statewide biological inventory: maintaining a statewide database for conservation planning and project review, land protection for the conservation of biodiversity, and the protection and ecological management of natural heritage resources (the habitats of rare, threatened, and endangered species, significant natural communities, geologic sites, and other natural features).

The Locality Liaison works with localities, Planning District Commissions, and Non-Governmental Organizations to help protect natural heritage resources by providing access to biodiversity information and DCR-DNH consultative services. A key service is review of projects to identify and recommend mitigation for potential impacts to natural heritage resources. The locality liaison position is located in Richmond, Virginia and is a part of the Natural Heritage Environmental Review Team working in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers paid leave; 13 paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions, and VaLORS for law enforcement positions); and is a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

DCR’s Mission is to conserve the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources of the Commonwealth. We invite you to learn more about DCR’s efforts to CONSERVE.

This position is responsible for:

Evaluating permit applications, environmental impacts statements, environmental assessments and other information requests for potential impacts to natural heritage resources in the coastal zone as defined by the Department of Environmental Quality (https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/coastal-zone-management/about-czm/czm-boundaries#!/).

Based on personal research, review of Natural Heritage data, and technical expertise of Division staff providing concisely written responses with recommendations and technical assistance meeting internal and external project deadlines.

Maintaining and updating electronic project records in an Access database and assisting in the management of projects.

Developing and maintaining contacts for local, regional and state partners and assist them in incorporating natural heritage data and services into local land-use planning and decisions making through presentations, trainings, meetings, and direct contact.

Planning and conducting every other month virtual trainings for the Natural Heritage Data Explorer (vanhde.org) online application and other customized trainings.

Working with the environmental review coordinator to develop grant proposals and to deliver locality liaison grant deliverables including species highlights, semi-annual reports, and final reports per established deadlines.

Assist in managing requests for natural heritage digital data and updating an Access license agreement database.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of general principles of conservation biology, geography and landscape ecology.
• Knowledge of state and federal agency policies, regulations, and standards regarding environmental practices and demonstrated ability to interpret applicable federal and state policy and regulations.
• Demonstrated skills in PC operation, Microsoft Office including Access, virtual platforms and ArcGIS Pro.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing through trainings, presentations, and written correspondence.
• Demonstrate ability to successfully multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in collaboration with localities and other external partners.
• Experience in working in grant funded positions and providing deliverables within set deadlines.
  

Additional Considerations

• Work experience with a Natural Heritage Program is preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

A valid Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National/Federal Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

DCR employees are encouraged to visit Virginia State Parks! Check out our employee discounts.

• Free parking or admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service) are entitled to overnight facility discounts such as:
  • Free camping outside of the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period in sites designed for up to six people.
  • Free camping Sunday night through Thursday night (excluding the night prior to a holiday) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
  • Fifty percent discount on cabins (up to 3 bedrooms) outside of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, for a maximum of 14 nights. All reservations require a two-night minimum. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one night yurt stays only receive a 25% discount.
    

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: HR@dcr.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.