ADMINISTRATOR, NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT (&31)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of the Director, Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, plans, organizes, and supervises the staff of the Office of Natural Lands Management to ensure the preservation and welfare of critical plant and animal habitat and unique geological formations; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and supervises the administration of program policy for Natural Areas System, Open Lands Management Program, and Natural Heritage Program in accordance with federal preservation policies and department planning and environmental goals.
• Oversees the administration of contracts negotiated between independent contractors, landowners, and the state in regard to the acquisition of data and implementation of management techniques.
• Serves as a Trustee and Executive Director of Natural Lands Trust; solicits, investigates, and accepts donations of real or personal property which is subject to Trustee approval.
• Monitors preservation activities for the purpose of identification and recommendations for easement or fee simple acquisition.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of annual budgets and reports for the Director, Division of Parks and Forestry; is responsible for expenditure of appropriated funds for the office and the Natural Lands Trust, and administers a grant program to private property owners.
• Independently develops a long term state plan for preservation of special habitats in accordance with state/federal preservation policies and Departmental planning and environmental goals; supervises implementation of the plan.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports and correspondence involving office programs, recommendations, and related environmental issues.
• Reviews state/federal preservation plans for endangered species habitat, and/or critical natural features.
• Acts as a secretary and ex-officio member of the Natural Areas Council, department liaison to local river commissions, as consultant, making professional recommendations to the department for land acquisition and development of trails; acts as advocate for the development of Scenic Trails on public and privately owned land.
• Meets with local and county environmental commissions, planning boards, governing bodies, and environmental organizations to coordinate habitat preservation at the local and state levels.
• Prepares and revises rules governing Natural Areas; develops criteria for designation of Natural areas; develops and promotes the concept of easement acquisition for preservation of Natural Areas; directs the operations of the Natural Lands Trust, developing and promoting the concept of land donation, by easement or in fee simple, for the purpose of protecting, maintaining, or enhancing ecological values of plant and animal habitat.
• Provides information resources for local and county governments and their respective commissions and agencies, coordinating studies for designation of State Wild and Scenic Rivers, and promoting the formation of local River Commissions for implementation and enforcement of rules governing the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
• Coordinates with various agencies, in particular the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, for the purpose of developing management plans for designated Natural Areas.
• Coordinates with the Pinelands Commission to regulate designated river areas on non-state-owned land, in order to avoid duplicating regulations.
• Coordinates with administrative staff of the Division of Parks and Forestry and individual Park Superintendents and Foresters to implement interpretive programs for Natural Areas.
• Coordinates with Green Acres Program for the implementation of the New Jersey Trails Plan through the state and local Acquisition Program.
• Reviews designation studies for Natural Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers and recommends appropriate designation to the Director; prepares the administrative requirements for public hearing(s) and implementations.
• Is responsible for assisting local governments by supplying baseline information for the purpose of River designation studies.
• Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Prepares and/or directs the preparation of extensive correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in the field of Forestry, Forestry Management, Natural Resources Management, or other closely related field.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in the field of public and/or private lands managed for their natural resources value, two (2) years which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and programs related to habitat protection.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures used for natural resources inventory and land acquisition.
• Knowledge of methods used to design trails while maintaining surrounding natural features.
• Knowledge of state procurement policies and procedures, and the budgetary process after a period of training.
• Ability to conceptualize and direct surveys and studies and develop long and short term preservation plans relating to identification, evaluation, protection, and restoration of endangered species habitat.
• Ability to interpret federal, state, and local legislation regulations and policies regarding the Office of Natural Lands Management, Natural Areas System, Wild and Scenic River System, State Trails System, Open Lands Management Program, and Natural Lands Trust.
• Ability to develop a working relationship and coordination with federal, state, and local agencies, private organizations, and citizens groups.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, comprehensive, and accurate reports on office programs and related issues containing findings, conclusions, and recommendation.
• Ability to prepare extensive correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare budgets, monitor expenditures, and supervise the work of office staff.
• Ability to identify and evaluate critical properties in accordance with established criteria for the Office of Natural Lands Management.
• Ability to direct research, field investigations and preparation in order to locate and identify valuable endangered species habitat, unique and or critical natural features, and unique geological formations.
• Ability to direct and administer programs for the Office of Natural Lands Management.
• Ability to establish and oversee the maintenance and retrieval of essential files and records.
• Ability to learn and utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

A Master's degree in natural resource management, forestry, forest management, or other closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of nonsupervisory experience.