Somerville Seeking Resident to Serve on City’s Conservation Commission

Open Positions: one position available
Term: 3 years
Availability: Immediate

The City of Somerville is currently seeking applicants for one open position on the Somerville Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission is devoted to preserving and protecting Somerville's natural environment with an emphasis on several specific areas: wetlands, open space, and community gardens. The key responsibility of members is to protect the City’s wetlands and rivers via their authority to administer and enforce the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Rivers Protection Act. In addition, the Commission plays an important role as a sounding board for open space planning and open space initiatives. The City’s community gardens program, which offers gardening plots to residents, is also overseen by the Commission.

The Commission meets monthly, typically on the fourth Tuesday from 7 to 9:00 p.m., and conducts occasional site visits during the week. Its seven volunteer members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council for three-year terms. 

To find out more about serving as a conservation commissioner see the following web sites:

• http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/conservation-commission
• http://www.maccweb.org

Qualifications

• Experience in the following area is strongly preferred: civil engineering with expertise in erosion & sediment control, stormwater management, and/or environmental permitting.
• Applicants with experience in any of the following areas may also be considered: Wetlands Protection Act and regulation implementation, wetlands biology, hydrology, geology, and/or resource management.
• Applicants with other relevant or transferable experience are also encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Applicants interested in volunteering to serve on the Commission are invited to submit a resume and cover letter, as well as any relevant supplemental material by email to Conservation Agent Malik Drayton at: mdrayton@somervillema.gov. All applications must be received by Monday, August 19, 2019, by the close of business.

Applications will be reviewed by the Appointments Advisory Committee (https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/about-appointments-advisory-committee), and applicants will be notified if they are selected as finalists. Questions may be submitted Mr. Drayton at mdrayton@somervillema.gov.

The City of Somerville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at the address noted below:

Nency Salamoun, JD
NSalamoun@somervillema.gov
(617) 625-6600, Ext. 2323 (Voice)
(617) 808-4851 (TTY)