The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources mission is to cultivate a robust and equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment for Massachusetts farmers, animals, and consumers.
MDAR is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual who is passionate about agricultural land use. The successful candidate will be a strong communicator with knowledge of land use planning, agricultural land protection, agricultural practices, land acquisition and conservation restrictions
The position is within the Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance and combines telework, field work, and office work. Currently at least 1 office day or field day per week is required. The position location is TBD out of one of MDAR’s field offices in Southborough, West Springfield, Lakeville, or Boston.
The Land Use Planner will report to the DACTA Division Manager but will work closely with the other land use programs within the Division including the State Lands Licensing program, the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program and the Farm Viability Enhancement programs.
Specific tasks include but are not limited to:
APR Transfers
Serve as the point of contact for APR owners and partners regarding APR transfer process, rules, and guidance.
Serve as the lead staff person for review and tracking of proposed APR transfers.
Coordinate on – site Pre-sale conferences
Draft Waivers and obtain all necessary signatures for waiver recommendations.
Provide Waivers or exercise materials to landowners or their representatives.
Track APR transfers in a Department Approvals database through registry record research.
Track agreed upon APR transfer data through the Land Information Systems database. Provide updates to staff on APR transfer reviews, status, and completion.
Participates in APR transfer working group to examine Regulation updates and internal processes.
Farmland Fee Acquisition and Transfer
Develop process, procedures and regulations for an agricultural land fee acquisition, lease and transfer program.
Coordinate the Farmland Fee Acquisition and Transfer Program once it is developed.
Serve as the point of contact for landowners and partners regarding the land transfer process, rules, and guidance.
APR Surveys
Serve as procurement team leader for boundary survey work for MDAR land-use programs including APR acquisition and stewardship, the State Land Licensing Program and any fee acquisitions ensuring appropriate and timely procurement, review, and completion of surveys.
Compile materials for boundary survey Requests for Response (RFR), organize posting of RFR, coordinate review with procurement team, coordinate survey cost share agreements, review survey drafts, request additional information from surveyors as needed, inform surveyors when to record, submit invoices for payment
Develop recommendations and present them to Land Use and APR program planners as needed.
Organize and lead survey working group as needed to address needs such as outreach and education, specifications or needs of surveyors.
Farmland Appraisals
Support the APR program procurement team leader for appraisals, as needed, for MDAR land use programs including APR acquisition and stewardship, the State Land Licensing Program and any fee acquisitions ensuring appropriate and timely procurement, review, and completion of appraisals.
Support the development of recommendations for the OPAV appraisal guidelines and farmland fee acquisitions and present them to the appraisal procurement team leader, Land Use and APR program planners as needed.
Participate in appraisal working group as needed to address needs such as specifications or needs of appraisers.
Assists the APR Acquisition staff with evaluation of proposed land acquisition projects as needed and transitioning landowner relationships from acquisition to stewardship.
APR Program Support
Work cooperatively with APR Acquisition and Stewardship Supervisors, other Department and Division Staff on a variety of projects as needed.
Attend and participate in meetings as assigned such as All Staff, Stewardship Team, Stewardship Legal, ALPC , ILC and DARC. Coordinate and facilitate such meetings as assigned.
Participate in appraisal working group as needed to address needs such as specifications or needs of appraisers.
As assigned, assist with gathering and analyzing data on APR farm programs to inform policy, regulatory and strategic planning development. Assist in the formulation of guidelines, policies, SOPs, regulations and strategies for the APR program.
Other related duties as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Must be able to drive and available to travel within the region and as needed across the state.
Must be able and comfortable with hiking through farm properties, sometimes in remote areas, across uneven terrain, in all seasons and weather.
Ability to establish and maintain courteous, professional working relationships with landowners and other professionals.
Ability to speak and write clearly and to communicate effectively with staff and the general public.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Self-directed, highly motivated, personable, flexible.
Passion and commitment to the Department’s mission.
Friendly, enthusiastic, and positive attitude. Possess a high level of emotional intelligence, confidence, and competency when working with people to collaborate.
Strong organizational skills to manage time and competing priorities, strong written and oral communication skills. Detail-oriented.
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Education in planning, natural resources, agriculture or related field or 4 years of work experience.
Knowledge and understanding of general farm practices and agricultural and horticultural land use activities.
Professional experience in the area of Land Stewardship and Conservation Restrictions in a land trust or comparable setting are desirable.
Knowledge of and experience in APR or conservation restrictions is preferable.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of assessing environmental conditions including the ability to recognize potentially harmful environmental conditions.
Proficiency in GIS mapping and analysis through software or applications such as ESRI ArcGIS, ArcView, MassGIS, MassMapper, or GIS tools.
Ability to use desktop and mobile geographic information systems (i.e. ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online) to assess property conditions and create maps.
Ability to read and understand topographic maps, assessor’s maps, and survey plans.
Ability to use map and compass to locate boundary lines based on a survey.
Experience reviewing, writing and producing reports that include maps, photographs and narrative, describing conditions on a property.
Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply legal documents, technical literature, and regulations to conditions on a property.
Ability to understand and implement Massachusetts General Laws, Regulations, and Department policies and guidelines related to the APR Program.
Apply here: https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=250002TZ
The position location is TBD out of one of MDAR’s field offices in Southborough, West Springfield, Lakeville, or Boston.