06/16/2005 54417

FOREST PROGRAM MANAGER

NATURE OF WORK: This is professional forestry and managerial work as a section chief in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, or as the Chief, Forestry Division in the Pennsylvania Game Commission, or as the Chief Forester in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Forest Program Manager directs the activities of professional Forest Program Specialists and other forest specialists engaged in planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and promoting statewide forestry programs.

DEFINITION: An employee in this job manages and coordinates the activities of Forest Program Specialists and other forest specialists engaged in the planning, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of statewide Forestry programs such as: forest fire protection, prevention and suppression; timber sales; facilities maintenance and construction; cooperative forest management; forest resources utilization; forest resources planning; forest tree improvement; and insect and disease survey and suppression. Work involves developing and recommending long-range and short-range program goals, objectives, and priorities; directing the evaluation of field programs; and developing and presenting reports on their effectiveness. Work also involves determining the need for new or revised program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines; directing the preparation and presentation of program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines; and conducting program evaluations to ensure program requirements are being met and uniformity of action on a statewide basis. Work includes meeting with government officials, legislators, press and media, special interest groups, civic groups and associations, and the public to present and explain Departmental and forestry rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, guidelines and actions. Work is
through assigned goals and objectives and the employee exercises considerable freedom and independent judgment in determining and recommending specific goals, objectives, and priorities. Work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed by a professional superior upon completion for completeness, attainment of goals, objectives, priorities, technical accuracy, and quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises Forest Program Specialists and other forest specialists engaged in developing, recommending, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating statewide program activities in statewide programs such as: forest facilities maintenance and construction, timber sales, forest fire prevention and suppression, forest resources utilization, forest resources planning, forest road maintenance, forest insect and disease survey and suppression, cooperative forest management, and forest tree improvement.

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

Develops, implements, directs, coordinates, evaluates, and adjusts long-range and short-range statewide technical program goals, objectives, and priorities.

Determines the need for new or revised technical program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards; develops and presents technical program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards for approval; and directs the implementation, coordination, evaluation, and interpretation of technical program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.

Conducts evaluations to determine the effectiveness and implementation of forestry programs at the Forest District level; and prepares reports outlining findings and recommendations designed to ensure uniformity of action, adherence to established goals, objectives, and priorities, and to improve program efficiency and effectiveness.

Develops, coordinates, and implements formal and informal training sessions to instruct field personnel on changes to forestry rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Meets with government officials, legislators, press and media, special interest groups, civic groups and associations, and the public to present and explain Departmental and forestry program goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and actions.

Prepares letters, reports, memoranda, and correspondence to exchange information with field personnel, co-workers, superiors, elected officials, and the public.

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, methods, and techniques utilized in conducting forest management, forest fire protection, forest insect and disease control, and recreational activities on public and private forest land.

Knowledge of the various species of timber normally found in Pennsylvania and northeastern United States.

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

Knowledge of methods, techniques, and procedures used in forest fire protection.

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

Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in detecting and controlling destructive forest insects and diseases.

Knowledge of the Commonwealth's and Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing travel, lodging, expense vouchers, and proper 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 develop and conduct training courses and workshops for field personnel.

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

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of forestry programs and to prepare report of findings and recommendations.

Ability to develop, recommend, implement, direct, coordinate, evaluate and adjust technical statewide forestry program goals, objectives, and priorities.

Ability to develop and recommend technical forestry program rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.

Ability to interpret forestry program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for subordinates, field personnel, and the public.

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

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

Ability to supervise employees effectively.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co- workers, supervisors, field personnel, and the public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Forest Program Specialist;

                                                                                                                                                                                           or

Two years of experience as a Forest Assistant Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                           or

Two years of experience as a Forest Nursery Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                           or

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