10/01/1990 54415

FOREST DISTRICT MANAGER

NATURE OF WORK: This is professional forestry and managerial work directing the activities of a Forest District Office in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Environmental Resources. The Forest District Manager plans, develops, implements, evaluates, and coordinates programs designed to manage, protect, and conserve forest resources within the assigned district.

DEFINITION: An employee in this class directs, through subordinate managers, the activities of employees engaged in the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of forest programs within an assigned forest district. Work involves developing program goals, objectives, and priorities; developing, implementing, evaluating, and monitoring adherence to rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for subordinates, field personnel, special interest groups, local officials, political representatives, and the public. Work involves developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating forestry programs such as: forest fire protection, forest pest control, forest management, forest facilities and road maintenance, cooperative forest management, forest recreation, and forest mineral management. Work includes representing the forestry program in dealings with other agencies; 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 to seek acceptance and an understanding of Departmental actions. Work is assigned through program goals and objectives and the employee exercises considerable freedom and independent judgment in determining specific goals, objectives, and program priorities. Work is reviewed upon completion by Forest Field Operations Manager through reports and conferences for attainment of program goals and objectives, completeness, and overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, through subordinate managers, the activities of employees engaged in the planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of forest programs within an assigned forest district.

Discusses the proper methods and techniques for performing the work with subordinates and ensures they are being followed, and discusses new methods and techniques for performing work with subordinates including the possibility of implementing them or adapting them for use in the forestry program.

Meets with subordinate supervisors to inform them of changes to goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and meets with subordinate supervisors to discuss common problems and to ensure they are working toward their resolution.

Develops, implements, coordinates, evaluates, and adjusts program goals, objectives, and priorities.

Reviews and analyzes monthly activities reports to determine work being performed, program trends, and program effectiveness.

Investigates complaints involving misconduct by subordinates by reviewing all available data to determine what was done, how it was done, and actions which should have been taken.

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

Meets with federal, state, and local officials to explain Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing forestry operations.

Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs and determines actions needed to increase their efficiency and effectiveness.

Provides advice and counsel to district personnel, subordinates, and coworkers on unusual or difficult district problems.

Prepares letters, reports, memoranda, and correspondence to exchange information with government officials, subordinates, coworkers, other Commonwealth officials and the public.

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

Operates motor vehicles to travel to various work sites.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the 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 and techniques utilized in conducting forest management, forest fire protection, forest pest management, watershed management, mineral management, and recreational activities on public land and private forest lands.

Knowledge of the 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 safety precautions required for the work performed by the units.

Skill in the supervision of employees.

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

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

Ability to perform mathematical computations utilized in the forestry program.

Ability to develop, implement, direct, coordinate, evaluate, and adjust program goals, objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to evaluate the forestry programs and to make modifications to meet established goals, objectives, and priorities.

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

Ability to develop employee performance standards, evaluate employee performance, prepare employee performance 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 coordinate the activities of the units and to resolve conflicts within the units.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret forestry program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for subordinates, co- workers, and the public.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret Commonwealth rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, local elected officials, and the public.

Ability to operate motor vehicles to travel to various work sites.

Sufficient physical strength and stamina to permit walking long distances in rough terrain and directing forest fire fighting activities.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Forest Assistant Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                                  or

Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                                  or

Two years of experience as a Forest Program Specialist;

                                                                                                                                                                                                  or

A Bachelor's Degree in Forest Management which included nine (3 credit) courses in forestry with a minimum of three (3 credit) courses in the following areas: dendrology, silviculture/forest ecology, biometrics, or forest management; and four years of professional experience, which includes two years of technical supervisory work, in forest management or in 6directing the activities of a Forest Tree Nursery. Professional experience must include the application of accepted business methods and practices, coordinating the application of all forest management, and the application of technical forestry principles and practices to the operation of an entire forest property with considerable independence and accountability for the actions taken.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license, as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.