Reports to: District Board of Supervisors
FLSA Status: Exempt
Relocation Expenses Paid: NO
Prepared: January 2024
The position provides management for personnel, finances, program planning, education and outreach, conservation project implementation for the Morris County Soil Conservation District. The position is governed by the District Board and is located at 30 Schuyler Place, 4th Floor, Morristown, NJ and is co-located with Morris County Department of Planning and Preservation.
The Board Chair serves as the District Manager’s supervisor who is required to correspond monthly with the Chair in addition to the District Board of Supervisors at the Monthly Board meeting to presents various reports regarding District activities, issues goals and performance metrics.
The District Manager performs a vital role supervising the district’s financial, personal, day to day operations, regulatory and technical, documenting existing work practices and developing new opportunities for a more effective and efficient organization. Strong documentation, analytical, managerial, technical and communication skills are required.
Essential Duties:
Personnel Management & Supervisory Responsibilities
- Prepare and present the annual work plan to the Board with input from staff and partners.
- Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate and informative monthly reports regarding District programs, activities, and accomplishments.
- Develop and present key District Performance Metrics at monthly Board meetings.
- Develop and present ideas for new or expanded areas of opportunity that include description, cost estimate, time limit, tracking, risk, and withdrawal plan.
- Identifies, prepares, and delivers effective presentations for public meetings and events.
- Provides direct supervision of MCSCD staff and volunteers or delegates supervisory roles to others as needed to complete work.
- Mentors and coaches’ staff, volunteers, and especially new employees via direct one on one meetings.
- Perform two evaluations each year for each staff member to discuss goals, accomplishments, personal growth, training, and performance.
- Supervision of District personnel, hiring and discharge of personnel when directed by the Board, recognition of District staff accomplishments.
- Implements the District Personnel Policy and provides amendments to the board for consideration for adoption.
- Works with the board and Chair to evaluate staff performance and training needs.
- Provides progressive staff training and conducts an annual staff performance evaluation as the basis for salary increment action by the Board.
- Makes recommendations to the board related to staffing and position descriptions.
- Responsible for maintaining staff morale, conflict resolution, and facilitating a productive working environment for staff.
- Develops and updates position descriptions annually to ensure progress toward strategic plan and annual plan objectives.
- Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all departments.
- Fulfills supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
Financial Management
- Prepare and present the annual plan of work and budget to the Board.
- Present monthly budget, actual and forecast of work to the Board.
- Develop, prepare, review, and negotiate contracts, leases, insurance policies and grant agreements associated with District programs.
- Approves all appropriations, expenditures, and transfers of District funds.
- Oversees compliance with the district’s fiscal policy.
- Prepares financial reports to keep the board informed about finances and for annual audit.
- Administers grants obtained by the district to ensure compliance with grant agreements.
Program Planning
- Writes, reviews, and updates the district’s strategic plan every five years with input from the board, staff, and partners.
- Networks with agency partners, community leaders, landowners, and others to bring new ideas and direction to the districts program.
- Serves as the primary liaison between the district and other agencies and landowners.
- Represents the Morris County Soil Conservation District on programs and committees and in activities of other environmental agencies and related organizations at the district level.
- Attends and participates in meetings and conferences pertaining to natural resource conservation.
- Ensures opportunity for public input on the district’s programs.
Conservation Project Management and Implementation
- Administers the State, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act within the authority of the The district and monitors performance of municipalities granted exemption from the Act by the State Soil Conservation Committee. Undertakes enforcement actions pursuant to action by the Board authorizing same.
- Oversees the implementation of mandated programs, such as the Stormwater Permitting Program in coordination with the SSCC, NJDEP, Highlands Council, and Landowners; and other conservation and education programs as directed by the Board of Supervisors
- Receives and evaluates Requests for Conservation Assistance and assigns and/or coordinates the servicing of such requests through appropriate District personnel and cooperating agencies.
- Interprets and provides technical information for governmental agencies, county and municipal officials, groups and individuals regarding erosion and sediment control, land use and capability and the conservation of natural resources in general.
- Provides technical and organizational assistance to individuals, groups, and organizations to help achieve orderly development and use of natural resources.
- Serves as lead project manager on conservation projects. Plans and prepares quality project proposals that result in needed funding.
- Provides technical assistance to landowners as time permits and technical expertise allows.
- Initiates and stimulates the development of public environmental information and educational programs through tours, publications, radio, television, and other communications media.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. (Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).
- Ability to organize work programs and develop effective work methods in coordination with soil conservation districts.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with existing agencies concerned with soil and water conservation, including Rutgers University, US Department of Agriculture, as well as with other federal, state, county, local and private agencies.
- Ability to implement regulatory programs and mediate complaints and disputes, make decisions in compliance with the Soil Conservation Act, State Soil Conservation Committee policies, NJDA Code of Ethics, and all applicable laws, rules and established policies and procedures.
- Ability to prepare clear, informative, and technically accurate reports and articles.
- Proficient in Windows, MS-Word, MS-Outlook, and MS-Power Point computer programs.
- Experience reviewing site plans and/or Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Plans
- Skills in marketing, customer service, public speaking, and media relations are desirable.
- Experience in facilitation or dealing with conflicts.
- Ability to provide organizational leadership.
- Ability to conduct other work as needed/directed.
- Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files.
Language Skills:
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret most complex documents.
- Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
- Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
- Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Mathematic Skills:
- Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
- Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- A valid New Jersey driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
Education and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree (BS) from four-year college or university in a discipline related to agriculture, forestry, natural science, engineering, resource management or similar major areas of study.
- Or one to two years related experience and/or training.
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully. perform the essential functions of this job. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen.
- Frequently is required to walk, sit, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
- Occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).
- This job is a combination of office work and fieldwork.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and rough and uneven terrain.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.