06/01/1989 54412

FOREST ASSISTANT MANAGER

NATURE OF WORK: This is professional forestry and managerial work that involves assisting in directing the activities of a Forest District Office in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Resources and is the regional manager for each of the regional forestry programs in the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Forest Assistant Manager assists the Forest District Manager in the Department of Environmental Resources or the Chief of Forestry Services in the Pennsylvania Game Commission in planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating programs designed to manage, protect, and conserve forest resources within the assigned geographical area.

DEFINITION: An employee in this class assists a Forest District Manager in the Department of Environmental Resources or the Chief of Forestry Services in the Pennsylvania Game Commission in planning, scheduling, developing, implementing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating forest program activities within an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth. Work is accomplished through the supervision of professional Foresters, Forest Technicians, Forest Fire Specialists, Forest Maintenance Supervisors, clerical, and maintenance and trades employees in the Department of Environmental Resources, and Foresters and Forest Technicians in the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Work involves translating overall forest program goals into specific program goals, objectives, and priorities for the assigned geographical area; translating overall forest program policies and procedures into specific policies and procedures for the assigned geographical area; and supervising, directing, coordinating, and controlling program activities involving forest fire protection, forest facilities and road maintenance, forest management, forest pest management, cooperative forest management, forest recreation, and forest mineral management to ensure that statewide and geographical goals, objectives, and priorities will be met. Work involves determining the fiscal, personnel, equipment, and supplies needed to meet program goals, objectives, and priorities and assisting the Forest District Manager in the Department of Environmental Resources or the Chief, Forestry Division in the Pennsylvania Game Commission in obtaining and allocating the resources to meet program goals, objectives, and priorities. Work involves conducting periodic evaluations of the programs, preparing reports on findings and recommendations, and implementing recommendations approved by the Forest District Manager in the Department of Environmental Resources or the Chief, Forestry Division in the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Work includes meeting with government officials, legislative officials, special interest groups, civic groups and associations, and the public to explain Departmental and Forestry program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, goals, objectives and priorities, and to seek acceptance and an understanding of Departmental actions. Work is assigned in the form of broad program goals, objectives, and priorities and the employee exercises considerable freedom and judgment in determining specific goals, objectives, and priorities, and planning, scheduling, and directing the activities required to meet the goals, objectives, and priorities. Work is reviewed upon completion for attainment of goals, objectives, priorities, and overall program quality by the Forest District Manager or the Chief, Forestry Division in the Pennsylvania Game Commission through reports, conferences, and personal observation.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, schedules, develops, directs, coordinates, and evaluates forest program activities, within a geographical area of the Commonwealth, designed to manage, protect, and conserve forest resources.

Directs, supervises, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, plans, schedules, and develops program activities for the assigned geographical area involving one or more of the following programs: forest fire protection, forest facilities and road maintenance, forest management, forest pest management, cooperative forest
management, forest recreation, and forest mineral management to ensure that statewide and district goals, objectives, and priorities are met.

Determines fiscal, personnel, equipment, supplies, and other needs to meet program goals, objectives, and priorities; and assists the Forest District Manager in the Department of Environmental Resources or Chief, Forestry Division in the Pennsylvania Game Commission in obtaining and allocating the resources to meet program goals, objectives, and priorities.

Conducts periodic evaluations of the assigned programs to determine efficiency and effectiveness as well as the attainment of established goals, objectives, and priorities, prepares and submits a report of findings and recommendations, and implements recommendations approved by the Forest District Manager or Chief, Forestry Division in the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Reviews reports, correspondence, and memoranda to determine work being performed and adherence to established goals and objectives.

Meets with Commonwealth, municipal, and federal officials to explain Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Provides information to the public on Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Prepares letters, reports, memoranda and correspondence to exchange information with subordinates, field personnel, superiors and the public.

Serves as a Forest Officer and enforces forest rules and regulations on Commonwealth owned forest lands.

Operates motor vehicles to travel to various work sites.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Department of Environmental Resources' or Pennsylvania Game Commission's rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing forestry operations on public and private lands.

Knowledge of the goals, objectives, practices, and principles of forest management.

Knowledge of the procedures, methods, and techniques utilized in conducting forest management, forest fire protection, forest insect and disease control,
watershed management, mineral development, and recreational activities on state and private forest land.

Knowledge of procedures used in analyzing a stand of timber.

Knowledge of the various species of timber common to Pennsylvania and northeastern United States.

Knowledge of the destructive insects and diseases common to the forests of Pennsylvania and northeastern United States.

Knowledge of the commonly used methods and techniques of forest fire suppression.

Knowledge of the Commonwealth's and Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing travel, lodging, expense vouchers, and reporting
requirements.

Ability to read, understand, interpret, and write technical forestry material.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations utilized in the forestry program.

Ability to learn the safety precautions required for the work performed by the units.

Ability to learn to plan, schedule, organize, and assign work to subordinates.

Ability to develop employee performance standards, evaluate employee performance, prepare employee evaluation reports, and discuss reports with subordinates.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret collective bargaining unit agreements applicable to the work performed by the units.

Ability to learn to supervise employees effectively.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Forester;

                                                                                                                                                                                            or

Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Assistant Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                            or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license, of the proper class for the vehicles operated, as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.