Community & Private Land Conservation Branch Chief

Requisition Id: 4290 Salary: $112,836.00 - $146,556.00 Salary Grade: S15 Job Location:  Commission Headquarters (JEFFE1) Closing Date: December 17, 2025

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.

To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Aaron P Jeffries at Aaron.Jeffries@mdc.mo.gov or at573 5224115x3146, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!Summary/Objective The Branch Chief leads the Community and Private Land Conservation Branch and related statewide programs through strategic oversight of conservation initiatives. Works closely with Branch and Section Chiefs and other internal and external stakeholders. Implements conservation initiatives and programs and manages the Branch leadership team to improve day-to-day operations and develop working programs.

Essential Job Duties

• Lead the Community and Private Land Conservation Branch and all statewide community and private land programs by providing strategic direction, coordination, and vision; lead strategic planning, workload analysis, and program reviews and audits.
• Implement strategic plan and conservation initiatives and programs, including the Feral Hog Eradication Plan, Forest Stewardship, and the Missouri Native Grass Initiative; champion new initiatives and partnerships to advance strategic goals in community and private land conservation.
• Oversee Branch leadership team to develop working programs, identify priorities, and increase day-to-day effectiveness.
• Ensure regional work is incompliance with federal requirements and statewide program policies; lead and implement action items and measures for Outcome 2.1 with emphasis on community conservation and recreational access.
• Coordinate with Statewide Resource Management, Regional Resource Management, Protection, Relevancy, and Science Branch Chiefs to develop proposals; Coordinate/initiate Branch agreement development and monitoring with 80+ partner organizations and serve as Department liaison with partners.
• Develop communication plans to promote Department relevancy to Missourians.
• Develop a positive and effective working relationship with Section/Branch Chiefs, Directors, Administrators, and Supervisors to ensure cross-discipline work teams and training opportunities; establish positive relations with top-level administrators and decision-makers in related agencies and stakeholders.

Ancillary Job Duties

• Maintain the Department’s national leadership role by chairing and/or representing the Department nationally, regionally, or on state-level committees and working groups to guide and implement new initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in natural resource management or closely related field required, Mater's degree in natural resource management desired. 8 years related work experience required; 8+ years desired. 5 years supervisory work experience required; 8 years desired. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Essential knowledge required of this position includes: Understanding of project management, including planning, designing, and evaluating natural resource management projects. Understanding of resource management principles, including agriculture, fire, soil/water conservation, and native plants. Understanding of Missouri Department of Conservation code review procedures, public safety and security, and state, federal, and NGO cost share programs. Understanding of computers, including use of Microsoft Office products. Understanding of human resources rules and policies Moderate knowledge of this position includes: Understanding of basic accounting principles and record keeping. Understanding of Incident Command System. Understanding of Geographic Information Systems. Essential skills required of this position include: Budget development and implementation, including experience with multi-million dollar budgets. Strong reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Exceptional management of financial, material, and personnel resources Interpersonal communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders Moderate skills required of this position include: Safety functions (e.g., CPR, First Aid, etc.) Work Environment Once a week or more (but not every day), the position requires work in an office environment. Once a week or more (but not every day), the position requires being in a closed vehicle or operating enclosed equipment (like a car). Once a year or more (but not every month), the position requires work in remote locations. Once a year or more (but not every month), the position requires exposure to animals/wildlife. Physical Abilities Multi-tasking in an office environment, often sitting for long periods at a time. Possessing and maintaining a valid Missouri driver’s license. Stamina, auditory attention, depth perception, and visual abilities. Lifting up to 15 lbs. occasionally; lifting up to 50 lbs. rarely. Disclaimer Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.:

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.

MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States.  All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.