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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00040570 |
Description Activated On: 2/3/2026 3:33:31 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This position serves within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Recreation and Conservation Partnerships Division, Landscape and Educational Services Section. The Program Specialist provides direct coordination of the acts and funding for scenic rivers and river conservation efforts. This position directs targeted programs and investments to maximize recreational use, stewardship and protection of Pennsylvania’s rivers, while encouraging economic vitality. This position serves as a project manager for a variety of partnership and river projects administered by the Bureau. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Serve as the Bureau’s primary point of contact that plans, coordinates, develops, implements and evaluates the Rivers Conservation Program to advance Department and Bureau river and water-based priorities. Develop and lead implementation of the Bureau’s Rivers Conservation Program annual work plan to advance priority river conservation initiatives. Train staff and stakeholders on River Conservation Program work plan, policies, procedures, topics, and trends to stay current on best practices and facilitate partnerships. Provide professional and technical grant and non-grant information, presentations, consultations and assistance to peers, supervisors, managers, senior management, executive management, applicants, grantees, special interest groups, community groups, legislators, the media and the public to educate stakeholders on the Bureau’s River Conservation Program resources and services. Represent the Department and/or Bureau as the primary point of contact on river conservation issues; serve as a liaison between the Department, regional staff and public; serve on committees and working groups as assigned; and create an awareness and understanding of river conservation programs that meet the recreational needs of Pennsylvanians. Work directly with conservation organizations on the development and update to Waterway Conservation and Recreation Plans and ensures that the waterways or watersheds are placed on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry as appropriate. Prepare and distribute reports and other technical assistance materials on the potential impacts of proposed legislation, the development of river access points, river conservation program benefits, and available funding resources and programs. Coordinate planning and development activities with communities, state and federal agencies, and other funding partners to identify and implement high value projects in priority watersheds for river access and conservation improvements. Manage the Scenic Rivers Act by organizing and leading committees to develop, implement and evaluate program procedures for nominating and adopting rivers into the PA Scenic Rivers Act and conducting evaluations of river environments to determine whether the esthetic, recreational, biological, industrial values and inherent qualities are sufficient to be considered for the Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers Act. Conduct regular reviews of projects within scenic river corridors to determine the impact on the river environment, providing comments to project sponsors/permit applicants/sister agency staff regarding identification and recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures to minimize negative impacts on river environments. Develop goals and recommendations pertaining to the implementation of federal river conservation programs and national initiatives within the Commonwealth including the Chesapeake Bay Initiative, National Water-trails Initiative and other federal programs. Educate the public on river related conservation issues through the oversight of outreach programs such as Pennsylvania’s annual River Sojourn program and Pennsylvania’s River of the Year (ROY) Program. Coordinate the Pennsylvania Water Trails Partnership with assistance from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PA Fish and Boat Commission and the National Park Service including setting program goals and objectives; developing and implementing program guidelines; providing technical assistance to water trails managers; producing an annual evaluation of program activities and trends; and implementing program updates as necessary. Manage the Department’s Community and Watershed Forestry grant program to include serving as the Bureau’s representative to DCNR’s internal buffer team and contributing to statewide activities and initiatives that implement the Chesapeake Bay Watershed agreement and Pennsylvania’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). Manage the Bureau’s River Grant Programs to include development of policies and procedures, project coordination and review, and recommendations for funding to ensure river grant programs are administered efficiently and effectively. Serve as the Project Manager for a variety of river and partnership grant projects administered by the Bureau. Participate in the Landscape and Educational Services Section grant planning, development, coordination, review, approval, and administration of grant projects to ensure grant programs are administered efficiently and effectively. Review and evaluate grant applications for eligibility and conformance with rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines. Review project costs, score applications, recommend project funding, and develop official project scopes. Review, analyze, critique, and approve technical project documents and deliverables for assigned grant projects. Identify and resolve issues and problems. Review and evaluate requests for payment and requests for grant amendments from grantees to ensure eligibility of project costs, adherence to grant program policies, procedures, and requirements, and prevention of audit exceptions. Recommend approval or disapproval of the requests. Participate in developing, presenting, and explaining policy changes such as: grant program eligibility requirements, eligible projects, eligible costs, rating and ranking criteria, reporting requirements, documentation requirements, and other factors that affect the management and quality of the Rivers, Community and Watershed Forestry, and Partnerships grant programs. Schedule regular meetings with grantees to review project deliverables, track progress and proactively manage issues. Provide assistance, guidance and direction to applicants and grantees by telephone, email, written correspondence and in person. Directly respond to inquiries or refer them to appropriate Commonwealth staff or external resources. Manage all aspects of grant projects daily to meet established goals and deadlines. Travel to field sites to meet with partners and perform project site visits when issues arise and additional expertise and technical assistance is required. Support the Bureau’s Outreach and Educational Services to include providing articles for the Bureau’s e-newsletter, and assisting with educational material development and distribution, workshops, and webinars when needed. Perform special projects and other assignments as directed by the Section Chief, Division Chief or Bureau Director. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by the Landscapes and Educational Services Section Chief and Partnerships Division Chief for effectiveness and alignment with the Bureau’s grant program policies, outreach and education strategy. Refers questions or issues involving policy decisions, controversial issues, and unusual issues, politically sensitive or unique issues to the supervisor and/or manager for final decision-making. Regularly assigned duties are performed independently and work is reviewed upon completion, as determined necessary by the Supervisor, for sound application of policies and procedures. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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