Occ. Code 1610700

                    REGIONAL SUPERVISOR NATURAL RESOURCES, GRADE 29

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Positions in this title apply professional knowledge in the supervision and direction of a regional natural resources program in the Department of Environmental Conservation.  These positions manage, develop, protect and conserve the States natural resources in cooperation with other state and federal agencies, as well as not for profit and public groups.  Natural resource program areas include: the management of fish, wildlife, and marine resources; the protection of water and wetlands; the management of more than 4 million acres of public lands; real property acquisition operations; private land forest services; regulation of oil, gas, and solution salt mining exploration, development and reclamation operations; and regulation of mined land operations and reclamation activities.  Positions in this title are classified only in the Department of Environmental Conservation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

REGIONAL SUPERVISOR OF NATURAL RESOURCES:   manages regional natural resources programs; develops policy in consultation with regional directors, deputy and assistant commissioners, division directors and assistant division directors; implements regional work plans and monitors progress towards program goals; coordinates and integrates natural resource programs throughout the Region; supervises program managers with broad areas of responsibility and significant budgets; and guides program interaction with the media, elected representatives, and the public.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Regional Director in a region:

• Assists in the development of policies or procedures concerning Natural Resources programs.

• Reviews, provides advice on, and oversees the preparation of draft regulations, technical guidance, and policy and procedure documentation for program implementation and improvement.

• Reviews procedures and management practices, resolves conflict, and ensures appropriate priority establishment among natural resource programs to ensure efficient program implementation and integration.

• Requests and allocates fiscal and personnel resources in natural resource programs to reflect changing program needs, priorities, and mandates in the Region.

• Reviews and approves the development and implementation of work plans ensuring appropriate use of personnel, fiscal, and material resources to accomplish objectives and set priorities with the programs and reacts to crisis situations or projects of immediate concern.

• Supervises and monitors staff activities as they relate to Unit Management Planning, work plan implementation, and adherence to the States constitutional protection of forest preserve lands, as well as State Land Master Plans in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, state laws, regulations, policies, plans, guidance, and procedures.

• Prepares or provides input on the management of routine and complex projects; monitors project milestones to ensure timely project completion, and notifies executive staff of problems or issues with the project.

• Coordinates technical assistance and guidance related to natural resources conservation and management to other state and federal agencies, state legislators, local government officials, department staff, environmental consultants, members of the regulated community, special interest groups, and the general public.

• Coordinates and assists with the administration of natural resources capital construction or rehabilitation and improvement projects and routinely meets with Division of Operations management to ensure projects progress as proposed.

• Oversees the administration of personnel policies and procedures as they relate to regional natural resources staff and provides the full range of supervisory and management responsibilities for staff.

• Coordinates the approach to habitat protection, permit application review, permitting, enforcement and integration of natural resources programs with the Central Office and establishes criteria to prioritize compliance/enforcement efforts to alleviate practices leading to environmental degradation.

• Coordinates responses to emergency situations to protect natural resources, including significant flooding events, hazardous waste and oil spills, and other potential emergencies; reviews and provides guidance for field investigations and remedial activities including formal enforcement action relative to encroachments on state land.

• Oversees the care, custody, and control of state forests, wildlife management areas, and forest preserve lands;  coordinates with the Division of Operations in the planning, environmental review, and management of recreational facilities, bridges on state lands, state-owned dams, buildings and state residences, fisheries access and other facilities, wildlife facilities, roads, and trails for hiking and snowmobiling.

• Oversees the regional effort to update the New York State Open Space Plan, working with a regional citizens advisory committee, in cooperation with representatives of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.           

• Coordinates communication on regional natural resource program issues with the Central Office and regional administration in regards to dissemination to general public or media.

• Represents the Region and the Department at conferences, professional and administrative meetings, and other functions as appropriate; serves as a Department liaison on various boards, committees and interagency task forces and represents the Department on special projects or initiatives.

• Maintains liaison with political leaders to keep them abreast of current regional programs, resources, and resource user needs.

• Participates in meetings with other public and private sector natural resource professionals, environmental consultants, concerned citizens, public officials, federal, State or local agencies and department staff regarding projects and activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion:  one year of permanent service in a variety of natural resources program titles, including, but not limited to:  Biologist 2 and 3 (all parenthetics); Fish Culturist 5 and 6; Forester 2 and 3; Mined Land Reclamation Specialist 2; Mineral Resources Specialist 3; Pathologist 2 (Aquatic); Pathologist 2 (Wildlife); Real Estate Specialist 2 (Conservation).

Rev:  9/15

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.