04/20/2004 54421

DIRECTOR OF FOREST RESOURCE PLANNING AND STEWARDSHIP

DEFINITION: This is professional managerial work directing statewide forestry stewardship and resource planning programs in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The employee in this class directs, through subordinate managers, the planning, development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of statewide programs in Forestry Resource Planning and Stewardship; serves as the Bureau’s lead steward; and oversees Forest District operations that are focused on stewardship and community partnership functions. Work includes directing stewardship activities by leading the development of statewide strategies to identify conservation priorities and developing cooperative partnerships, building green infrastructure networks in communities, and focusing on expanding the agency’s role of being dedicated stewards of our natural resources. Work involves determining program goals, objectives and priorities; developing, implementing, evaluating and monitoring technical forestry rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and interpreting technical forestry rules, regulations, policies and procedures for subordinates, field personnel, special interest groups and the public. An important aspect of the work involves representing the Bureau of Forestry in dealings with federal, local and Commonwealth officials and local landowners; and representing the Bureau on various regional, state and interstate committees and conferences on conservation, education, resource planning or other interests of the Department. Work is assigned by the Director, Bureau of Forestry in the form of broad program goals and objectives and considerable independent judgment is exercised in determining specific goals, objectives and program priorities. Work is reviewed upon completion through reports and conferences for attainment of program goals and objectives, completeness and overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, through subordinate managers, the planning, development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of statewide forestry programs such as forest protection, forest resource planning and stewardship, and public recreation.

Develops, implements, coordinates, evaluates and adjusts technical statewide forestry program goals, objectives, procedures, priorities, rules and regulations.

Directs, through subordinate Forest District Managers, the activities of a large professional, technical, maintenance and clerical staff engaged in the performance of a wide variety of duties related to the management, protection, conservation and maintenance of forest lands.

Directs the development and implementation of stewardship activities and practices to ensure the proper partnerships with other public agencies, local governments, organizations and landowners.

Directs the involvement of other agencies, governments, and conservation organizations in planning efforts that manage resources based on the entire biological and physical landscape of a region.

Identifies and protects key areas around forests to protect scenic, recreational, geological, and ecological values of the DCNR-managed lands.

Develops an adjoining lands strategy to support the state forest comprehensive planning initiatives.

Works with land trusts and other non-profit conservation organizations in Pennsylvania to define their roles in contributing to DCNR’s green infrastructure strategy.

Works with the timber industry and other partners to improve educational outreach to private landowners on forest sustainability, including the use of forest management plans.

Works with appropriate agencies on tax incentives to encourage landowners to keep their working forests.

Creates working DCNR models that demonstrate sustainable forest management and best practices.

Coordinates and facilitates various Departmental committees, efforts and programs.

Directs the Bureau’s State Forest land acquisition and exchange activities.

Oversees the land, resource and ecological inventories on State Forest lands.

Oversees the development of various statistical programs and applications for digital (tabular and spatial) data analysis and display.

Directs the development of State Forest Resource Management Plans for the 20 Forest Districts, and the Bureau’s strategic plans.

Directs the administration and operation of the Bureau GIS and GPS activities and PAMAP data.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

The employee in this class may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational and organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITES: Knowledge of federal, state and Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing forestry operations on public and private land.

Knowledge of the practices, principles, procedures, methods, and techniques utilized in conducting forest management, forest fire protection, forest insect and disease control and recreational activities of public and private forest lands.

Knowledge of the various species of timber and destructive insects and diseases normally found in the forests of Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States.

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

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

Ability to perform quantitative analysis as required and utilized in the forestry program.

Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties.

Ability to read, interpret and apply federal, state, Commonwealth and forestry program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to develop, implement, direct and evaluate technical forestry program goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations and policies.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, civic groups and associations, conservation groups, professional organizations, governmental officials, and the public.

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

                                                                                                                                                                                            or

Two years of experience as a Forest District Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                            or

Three years of experience as a Forest Program Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                            or

Three years as a Forest Nursery Operations Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                                            or

Eight years of experience in forestry or natural resources management, including four years of managerial experience in forestry which involved staff supervision, fiscal management and policy development; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry.

A Master’s Degree in Forestry may be substituted for two years of the general forestry or natural resources management experience.

A Doctorate’s Degree in Forestry may be substituted for three years of the general forestry or natural resources management experience.