Manager - Land Stewardship (Dpw)

Position Summary

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) aims to improve residents' quality of life through bettering public spaces and infrastructure, and through providing excellent public services. With a focus on multi-modal connectivity, thriving green spaces, meaningful capital improvements, universal accessibility, and collaborative public and private partnerships, DPW builds and maintains public infrastructure and park land; manages solid waste collection; and keeps the City's entire vehicle fleet rolling. One of the largest city agencies, "Team DPW" commits itself to effective efficient customer service for residents and visitors to Indianapolis. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

This staff is responsible for leadership and guidance that includes the direct supervision of staff and contractors/consultants. The purpose of the Office of Land Stewardship is to successfully restore naturally occurring landscape features and implement green infrastructure engineered systems for water quality improvement. The program purpose is specifically for stormwater management and water quality lift, but other ecosystem benefits include increased climate resiliency, air quality improvement, heat island mitigation, wildlife habitat for common rare endangered or threatened species of plants/animals and increased passive recreational and nature observation opportunities. Position responsibility includes a public outreach/education component (social media, videos, public speaking, signage, infographics, training). This position oversees the development of a wide range of master plans including the Indy Landy land acquisition plan (for stormwater management) and various technical documents as required by state and federal stormwater regulations (MS4) and for the Federal Clean Water Act. Required to exercise regular and extensive independent judgment. Ability to recognize the need for intervention with any aspect of their operation and notify the supervising manager. Judgment decisions may significantly affect the fiscal, personnel or physical resources of the department. Position reports to Division Manager.

Position Responsibilities

• Manages the Land Stewardship Program

• Build long term professional relationships with people in the community and with partnering organizations to receive their help and creativity to help implement the Land Stewardship (LS) program

• Assists in securing resources for the planning, implementation, and maintenance of sustainable natural resource areas within the City right-of-way and Indy Parks system

• Manage staff including hiring, terminations, performance management, disciplinary actions, and work assignment

• Administration and implementation of budget, grants, and cost-share programs

• Promotes Land Stewardship program within other government agencies and community organizations to increase awareness and continued support, through collaboration, grants and other

• Develops of and implements the Land Stewardship Master Plan

• Promotes greater awareness and utilization of public natural areas for passive recreation and environmental education

• Designs, oversees, and evaluates the Land Stewardship program over 2,000 plus acres using ecological restoration techniques within the natural areas and built green infrastructure to increase water quality and stormwater storage in forests, and wetlands

• Works with Indy Parks staff, other city departments, universities, environmental organizations, and other government agencies to develop programs and projects that promote sound natural resource management and facilitate environmental education

• Plans and analyzes assigned projects, establishes schedules and project parameters, sets procedures to accomplish objectives, and designs and maintains internal communications procedures in collaboration with staff

• Uses available technology to collect and manage data relating to natural area restoration, natural resource management or related park and city projects

• Volunteer days and site steward activity as part of the Land Stewardship outreach and education program for natural area restoration

• Must maintain confidentiality at all times

• This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resources, Biology, Geology, Recreation, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Education, Urban Forestry, or a related field with fifteen (15) years' experience. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, desktop publishing, and GIS Applications is required. Must be a motivated and dedicated visionary with excellent written, public speaking, and media production skills.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

A Master's Degree in Natural Resources or a related field may be substituted for two years' experience. Minimum requirements included.