JOB TITLE: FOREST AND PLANNING ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR, DCNR

JOB CODE: 54420

DEFINITION: This is professional managerial work directing natural resource planning and communication and administrative support functions for the Bureau of Forestry in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

An employee in this job oversees, through subordinate program and field managers, statewide forest resource planning, forest conservation outreach, and administrative services. Work involves directing and facilitating Bureau of Forestry operations, including forest resource assessment, forest planning, performance-based budgeting, and program evaluation; providing reports to senior management; and developing outreach and partnership strategies with stakeholders, partners, and government officials. Work includes developing and implementing policies, programs, special initiatives, and projects; establishing goals and objectives to implement strategic plans; and advising bureau leadership on statewide forestry administration. Work also includes identifying programmatic issues and opportunities for improvements to ensure program quality; and reporting on the status of initiatives to department leadership and legislators. Work is assigned through broad program goals and objectives and is reviewed by the Bureau Director through reports and conferences for attainment of program goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Supervises staff responsible for resource planning, such as strategic forest plans, land acquisition, and geospatial technology applications; communications, public education, and outreach; and business services, such as budgets, procurement, staffing and general support functions for the bureau.

• Determines operational and administrative forestry program needs, such as forest assessments and planning, budgeting, and staffing.

• Oversees the development of bureau budgets, including the capital budget for public improvement projects and the operating budget.

• Develops and directs the development of bureau operating plans, including forest action plans, strategic plans, forest district resource management plans; and an annual report summarizing field and program activities and accomplishments.

• Advises bureau leadership on policies, procedures, priorities, planning, budgets, staffing, and issues affecting statewide forestry administration.

• Develops and interprets program regulations, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, and priorities.

• Coordinates and evaluates program service delivery to ensure operational effectiveness.

• Coordinates and facilitates bureau and departmental advisory committee activities and resulting programmatic recommendations.

• Directs state forest land acquisition and exchange activities.

• Directs Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System activities and the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) datasets for forest health management, monitoring, and planning forest infrastructure, such as trails.

• Oversees the third-party certification program in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards to ensure commitment to sustainably managed forests.

• Communicates with department leadership and legislators on the status of impactful program initiatives, such as infrastructure decisions and oil and gas management plans.

• Communicates with federal, state, and local officials regarding bureau activities, and participates on special committees and conferences.

• Reviews proposed legislation to identify forestry program impacts and recommends support of or opposition to legislation to executive management.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational and organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures governing forestry operations.

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

• Knowledge of the practices and principles utilized in forest management, forest fire protection, forest insect and disease control, ecological management, and forest recreational activities.

• Knowledge of the practices and methods of budgeting.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to read, interpret, and apply commonwealth rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

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

• Ability to coordinate program area activities and resolve conflicts.

• Ability to read, interpret, and develop written materials and technical reports related to forestry management.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Two years of experience as a Forest District Manager or Forest Program Operations Manager (commonwealth titles);

or

• Eight years of professional experience in natural resources management, which includes four years of supervisory experience involving fiscal management and policy development; and a bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, ecology, ecosystem management, environmental science, or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training, which includes four years of professional and supervisory natural resources management experience involving fiscal management and policy development.