The Hampton Conservation Commission announced plans to open and post a part-time conservation agent position and said Joe, who filed to join the commission and holds an environmental-science degree, is expected to begin in a part-time capacity after the required seven-day posting period.

A commission member said they had been working with the town manager to open the part-time role and that the position, by law, must be posted for seven days before appointment. “When Joe filed to join the conservation commission, I noticed that he also had a degree in environmental science,” a commission member said. The commission intends to reserve two side-by-side offices at the Thornton Burgess location so Joe and another staff member can each have a workspace and computer.

Commissioners said the initial arrangements call for Joe to start with training on wetland issues, state contacts, engineers and wetland specialists the commission uses, while the current staffer will continue to do paperwork and support. The role is capped at fewer than 15 hours per week under the selectmen’s part-time guidance; commissioners said there is a maximum number of hours but no minimum.

The commission expects Joe to take on more responsibilities over time as he gains experience reviewing Notices of Intent and other filings. No formal vote was recorded at the meeting; members described the next step as posting the position for the statutory seven days and then moving forward with hiring procedures.