Wetlands Program Chief

Who We Are: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more. Who We Are as an Employer: At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents. Description: At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents. MassDEP’s Bureau of Water Resources is seeking an experienced manager and environmental professional to serve as the Boston Wetlands Section Chief. The Wetlands Section Chief directs all aspects of the Boston-based Wetlands Program in implementing MassDEP’s regulatory authority under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00) and 401 Water Quality Certification for Dredge and Fill (314 CMR 9.00), ensuring regulatory timelines and reporting requirements are met for permitting, variances, compliance, and enforcement activities. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: * Directs all aspects of the Boston-based Wetlands Program, implementing MassDEP’s regulatory authority under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131, § 40), Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00), and 401 Water Quality Certification regulations (314 CMR 9.00), ensuring regulatory timelines and reporting requirements are met for permitting, variances, compliance, and enforcement. * Supervises 18 Wetlands Program and 401 Water Quality Certification staff across permitting, technical, and outreach functions, providing program leadership and coordinating with regional staff to ensure consistent statewide operations. * Oversees permitting timelines, tracks program performance, identifies and resolves potential issues, and reviews wetlands variance decisions, 401 Water Quality Certifications, and other superseding approvals for issuance. * Manages regulatory reform and process improvements, including grant-funded initiatives such as permit streamlining and statewide hydraulic modeling, and tracks proposed legislation and regulations affecting the program. * Leads the development and revision of wetlands-related policies, regulations, technical guidance, and procedures, coordinating internal reviews and approvals with MassDEP leadership, the Office of General Counsel, the Commissioner’s Office, and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. * Coordinates public hearings, stakeholder comments, final regulatory revisions, and outreach and training to communicate proposed and newly promulgated regulations. * Oversees compliance and enforcement activities, consults on post-construction matters, and coordinates Wetlands and 401 Water Quality Certification activities with Chapter 91 Waterways and other DEP programs. * Coordinates responses to emerging issues and new initiatives, supports restoration projects, provides pre-application guidance, and represents the program on restoration work groups in collaboration with MEPA, the Department of Fish and Game, and other agencies. * Coordinates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on regulatory and policy matters, including water quality certifications, federal wetlands regulations, and guidance on wetlands delineation, functional assessment, and mitigation. * Develops applications for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wetland Program Development Grants, administers grants for wetland protection and restoration, and coordinates grant application reviews with other agencies. * Provides technical outreach, training, presentations, and program updates to internal and external stakeholders, including local governments, conservation professionals, development organizations, watershed groups, and nonprofit organizations. * Represents MassDEP and the Wetlands Program at interagency meetings, stakeholder forums, and professional events, including the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions annual meeting, while coordinating communications with internal leadership and external partners. Preferred Qualifications: * A minimum of 10 years of permitting, compliance and enforcement of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL C. 131, sec 40), and the Federal and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act. * Advanced wetland identification using vegetation, hydrology and hydric soils within the various eco-regions of Massachusetts OR Advanced knowledge of hydrology and hydraulic modeling desirable. * Development of state wetland policy and regulation desirable. * Advanced understanding of coastal processes and identification of Coastal Resource areas that are jurisdictional under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Federal and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act. * Advanced understanding of inland wetland processes and identification of inland Resource Areas that are jurisdictional under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Federal and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act. * Knowledge of and experience with the Massachusetts GIS maps and layers related to wetlands and waters. * Excellent skills in public presentation development and addressing audiences. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: * Applicants must have at least (A) six years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least five years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least three years must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions. Substitutions: * I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually competed. NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics?* **Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: *Science Organization: *Department of Environmental Protection Title: Wetlands Program Chief Location: Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street Requisition ID: 260006VK