This is highly responsible professional and supervisory work directing activities of the Natural Resources Division of the Department of Environmental Resource Management.

An employee in this class is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating natural resource regulatory, management, restoration, and enhancement functions. Responsibilities include developing and implementing natural resource programs to achieve the biological resource management goals of the Department, enforcing County Code provisions pertaining to natural resource operations, and coordinating activities with other local, state, and federal agencies. The incumbent exercises a considerable degree of independent judgment, originality, and initiative in resolving resource management problems and in participating in the formulation of departmental policies and programs. Supervision is exercised through subordinate supervisors over professional, technical, and clerical employees. General supervision is received from an Assistant Department Director who holds the incumbent responsible for the effective management of divisional operations and achievement of goals and objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of professional and technical subordinates engaged in various activities to protect, restore, enhance, and conserve the biological, water, and land resources of Dade County.

Implements coastal, freshwater wetlands, and tree, regulations, coastal construction, and marine facilities through zoning, planning, permitting, and participation in proposed development and operation activities.

Monitors planning, regulatory, and review actions of subordinates to assure their actions are consistent with applicable laws and policies; prepares periodic reports on progress for superiors.

Coordinates divisional activities with municipal, county, state, and federal agencies on matters of environmental concern.

Directs and implements coastal zone management, natural resource restoration and enhancement, beach restoration, biological monitoring, and forest resources and other endangered lands management programs.

Maintains contacts with citizens, developers, engineers, businessmen, environmental organizations, and other interest or regulatory organizations.

Directly supervises specific environmental projects due to their sensitive or controversial nature.

Assists in the formulation and development of departmental policy; reviews and modifies divisional policies and procedures as required.

Keeps abreast of changes in applicable state and federal regulations.

Assists in the resolution of complex problems concerning the planning, regulatory, developmental, and administrative components of natural resources protection and enhancement programs.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Extensive knowledge of the scientific theories, principles, and practices of marine, terrestrial ,and wetland ecology, environmental science, and biology.

Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to natural resources protection and enhancement programs.

Extensive knowledge of the principles, policies, and practices of environmental administration.

Thorough knowledge of the techniques of scientific investigation and analysis.

Considerable knowledge of public relations principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct specialized and complex scientific programs in natural resources management.

Ability to evaluate results in terms of divisional and departmental goals and objectives and redirect priorities as necessary.

Ability to enforce environmental regulations with firmness, tact, and impartiality.

Ability to supervise professional, technical, and clerical subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to express ideas and information clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, superiors, and officials of other public and private agencies.

REVISED 01/98