Outdoor Recreation Clearance and Permitting Specialist

Job ID: 30845
Agency: Game Fish & Parks
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $27.49 to $34.36 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: J
Closing Date: 04/01/2025

This is a Full-Time position with the Game Fish & Parks. For more information on the Game Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/.

South Dakota Game Fish & Parks is seeking a motivated individual to join our team dedicated towards improving outdoor recreational opportunities and connecting people with the outdoors. This position will lead the Parks Division with conducting and coordinating cultural, historical, and environmental assessments for park operations, capital development projects and third-party grant projects. This position will work with state and federal agencies to secure all required cultural and historical permitting/clearances for all projects within the Parks Division. The position will also develop and coordinate cultural resource monitoring, enforcement, mitigation, and educational activities. The incumbent will be part of an integrated planning team that will assist with all stages of project development, planning and scoping. This position will also manage/coordinate FEMA mitigation efforts after emergency declarations to include collaborating with FEMA staff, field staff, and state/federal partners throughout the process to ensure all state and federal regulations are followed and eligible expenses are captured/reimbursed. The position will also work with administrative staff to make mitigation effort recommendations related to FEMA disaster relief.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A bachelor's degree in Cultural Resource Management, Archaeology, Wildlife & Fisheries Management, Conservation Planning, Park Management, Business Management or applicable related experience preferred.

Knowledge of:

• easements, agreements, contracts, and grant administration;
• state and federal laws and regulatory agencies;
• general construction methods, concepts, and plans for park-related structures and projects;
• Geographic Information Systems and mapping;
• Microsoft Office;
• cultural and historical resource surveys, reports, and systems.

Skill to:

• develop strong working relationships with state, federal and tribal regulatory agencies;
• serve as the departments liaison with the State Historical Preservation Office;
• serve as the departments liaison with the State Archaeological Research Center Staff;
• gather, file, and organize state and federal clearance and permitting documents;
• communicate effectively with co-workers and other state agencies;
• develop, create, and collaborate on Programmatic Agreements with state, federal and tribal agencies;
• develop and articulate recommendations to division leadership on clearance and permitting challenges.

Ability to:

• secure all environmental and cultural resource permitting in a timely manner;
• develop and maintain relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies;
• develop and maintain relationships with Tribal representatives;
• maintain a retention system of survey maps and reports;
• stay abreast of state and federal requirements for environmental and cultural clearances;
• effectively manage time to keep all environmental reviews and permitting moving in the right direction;
• proactively communicate with co-workers on clearance and permitting challenges and timelines;
• collaborate with state and federal agencies on efficient clearance and permitting processes;
• manage the departments culture resource surveys on Title VI transferred lands;
• navigate and understand the section 106, 404, and 408 permit requirements;
• review projects and their effect on natural resources including threatened/endangered species, water and natural resources, and historic properties;
• search for, apply, and secure 3rd party grants to help supplement the divisions budget;
• research and interpret state and federal regulatory polices;
• manage FEMA mitigation after declaration of eligible repairs throughout the state park system;
• perform other work as assigned.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1CA
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

#LI-Onsite