Natural Capital Protection Program Manager (Ecologist III)

This position leads the agency's efforts to protect ecological resources from land use impacts across more than 24,000 acres of parkland. Serves as the principal technical advisor on parkland protection, with primary responsibility for reviewing and commenting on internal and external development proposals, construction plans, easements, utility activities, and other land uses that may affect terrestrial and aquatic natural resources. Applying agency natural resource policies and the mitigation hierarchy-avoid, minimize, restore-the program manager ensures that projects are designed and implemented in ways that preserve ecological function and natural capital. Represents the Natural Resource Branch on interdisciplinary project teams and provides technical guidance to planners, designers, construction managers, and permitting staff. Assesses field site conditions and develops restoration requirements, plans, and cost estimates to mitigate or compensate for unavoidable impacts to parkland ecological resources.

Responsibilities include conducting field investigations using specialized equipment to evaluate site impacts and restoration feasibility, preparing and negotiating mitigation and compensation requirements with project proponents, and administering implementation of those requirements. Establishes schedules and coordinates ecological monitoring to track restoration progress and verify mitigation outcomes. The role includes program budgeting, reporting, policy development, and supervision of technical staff. The work requires independent travel throughout the county to assess project sites. A valid driver's license is required. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check and driving record review.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Develops data analysis procedures and prepares monitoring reports which summarize the impacts of development and stormwater management systems on the ecological health of County streams and stream valleys and/or the condition of ecosystems and impacts to them from human land disturbance, overabundant wildlife species, non-native invasive species and other factors;
• Oversees and trains lower-level staff in the field and on team projects;
• Reviews and prepares updates to County code, ordinances, and policies related to the protection of streams and stream valleys and/or terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems;
• Reviews and comments on proposed federal, state, and local regulations, ordinances, and policies;
• Prepares, negotiates, and administers consultant resource assessment and management support contracts;
• Reviews and comments on environmental impact statements prepared by outside agencies and consultants;

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Expert knowledge and experience in collection and field analysis of terrestrial community and species parameters;
• Considerable knowledge of vegetative community/ecosystem classification;
• Knowledge and experience in the development and implementation of natural resource management plans;
• Knowledge of regional plants and/or wildlife communities and experience in field identification to the species level;
• Knowledge of wetland regulations and permitting requirements;
• Knowledge of personal computers associated hardware and networked environments for the development, storage, and dissemination of environmental data;
• Ability to interpret County, Federal and State regulations, codes, and ordinances related to the Federal Clean Water Act, State Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act;
• Ability to develop stream assessment protocols and/or natural resource management plans to write County codes, ordinances and procedures;
• Ability to analyze and manage environmental data using databases, spreadsheets, statistical programs, and/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
• Ability to communicate technical and semi-technical issues effectively, both orally and writing, to a wide range of audiences;
• Ability to calibrate and maintain field equipment used in natural resource monitoring;
• Ability to carry field equipment and hike long distances over rough terrain;
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in aquatic ecology, ecology, biology, botany, zoology, geography, environmental science, limnology, natural resource management, or a related field; plus five years of experience in the environmental science field at, or equivalent to, the Ecologist II level, to include experience in water quality monitoring, terrestrial ecosystem assessment and management, data analysis and reporting, bioassessments (fish, macroinvertebrates, vegetative communities, wildlife) using standard protocols, and assessments of associated habitat conditions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Arborist (ISA Certification) or equivalent credential demonstrating expertise in tree risk assessment and vegetation management.
• Master's degree in ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, biology, forestry, or a closely related field, or four years of equivalent professional experience in applied ecological work.
• Minimum of five years of experience reviewing site plans, subdivision plans, rezoning cases, construction documents, and utility easements with a focus on ecological resource protection.
• Demonstrated experience developing, negotiating, and implementing mitigation and compensation requirements for impacts to natural resources, including knowledge of permitting and compliance processes.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations, including Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, as applied to local land development.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's license (required)

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.govEEO/AA/TTY.