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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00236081 |
Description Activated On: 8/28/2026 10:19:31 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This position ensures the silvicultural management of State Forests is implemented and carried out in each forest District according to Bureau policies and procedures, including the coordination and administration of the regeneration fund. The Silviculture Chief serves as a source of expertise on applied silviculture techniques and research, working with BOF staff, partners and academia to recommend research needs furthering sustainable management of state forests. The Silvicultural Chief provides a leadership role with the broader conservation and forest products communities, representing the Bureau at professional gatherings, meetings and conferences; coordinating analysis and monitoring of wood utilization and wood product markets as necessary; and coordinating with other Commonwealth agencies and federal partners on forest management-related needs determined to be in the interest of the Bureau. The Silviculture Section Chief provides full supervisory services of all direct reports, consults with Regional Foresters to adjust harvest model productivity and sale administration performance among field districts when needed; and participates as a member of the Bureau’s Senior Staff. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Bureau Silviculture/Timber Management Program Administration Ensure that silviculture activities and procedures are followed correctly and coordinate with other Bureau of Forestry program areas. 1. Review and approve all timber management proposals submitted by Forest Districts prior to implementation. Ensure all treated stands within a proposal are supported through timber stand analysis and consistent with forest zoning requirements. Consult with districts on questions around proposals as needed. 2. Be familiar with contemporary technology in maintaining, improving, developing and/or improving and periodically updating field data collectors and other hardware/software necessary to efficiently conduct all forest measurements, inventory, sale processing and reporting associated with the Bureau’s timber sale program. Consult with other programs, IT and Procurement to ensure compliance with current policies and procedures. 3. Consult with districts and appropriate programs on waivers related to timber sale size, RTE-related conservation measures, cultural and historic resources, etc.. Provide coordination and input on Silvicultural and timber management issues with other sections, divisions and senior staff. 4. Serve as a liaison between the Silviculture Section and Forest Districts/other programs in the exchange of ideas, techniques and information. Consider, investigate and recommend changes to policies and procedures as needed to adapt and improve the program. Explain and interpret new policies and procedures relevant to the application of silvicultural practices to District Staff. 5. Manage bid openings, contract processing and modifications, provision of bid bonds and proper security documents for timber sales and any other administrative needs necessary to the proper and legal administration of the Bureau’s timber sale program. Consult with Buyers, program and district staff and legal counsel in doing so. Report any significant developing contractual or administrative issues to your supervisor and work through regional foresters to correct outstanding issues realized in field districts where contract requirements and specifications are consistently not being met. 6. Manage and plan Regeneration Fund activities, including budget allocations, contracting and procurement requirements, project administration, evaluating effectiveness of treatments and reporting. 7. Plan and conduct regular silviculture-related training programs for field and program personnel involved in the application of silviculture to the state forest, including training for new foresters and forest technicians, program administration training for Assistant District Foresters and District Foresters, and annual silviculture tours and refresher training. Develop and provide new training as needed to meet advances in applied silviculture or requirements of SFI/FSC Certification programs. 8. Actively track annual and periodic Harvest Allocation Model targets and goals. Report and coordinate needs to Regional Foresters to implement adjustments to harvest allocation model performance by forest districts as needed. Communicate HAM accomplishments through annual reporting, providing presentations, etc.. as required. Participate in periodic revisions of the model and the eventual establishment of future HAM. 9. Engage in the drafting and review of Bureau level, silvicultural related guidance for various planning documents, including the State Forest Action Plan, the State Forest Resource Management Plan and Strategic Plans. Contribute towards drafting and reviewing silvicultural related documents of other programs or agencies such as Climate Action Plans, Best Management Practices, etc. as requested. District Silviculture/Timber Management Administration Inspect and provide technical support and troubleshooting to the Silviculture/Timber Program of each Forest District in the field to ensure that all policies, procedures, and regulations are implemented. 1. Through staff, ensure periodic field inspections of each District’s silviculture program occurs to monitor efficacy, proper application of treatments and compliance with all state and federal regulations commonly associated with water quality, erosion and sedimentation and rare, threatened and endangered species, among others. 2. Give advice and recommendations to staff pertaining preparation and conduct of timber sale activities and contractual interpretations when necessary. 3. Mentor and advise new resource management Assistant District Foresters as they are hired to ensure their familiarity with program guidance and adherence to established program standards. Leadership in Statewide Forest Conservation The Chief of the Silviculture Section is viewed as a leader in the Commonwealth’s forest conservation and forest products communities. 1. Represent the Bureau in conducting speaking engagements, presentations, public meetings and other programs regarding state forest silvicultural management, forest products, wood utilization and markets. 2. Serve as a liaison to the forest products industry, academia and other related Department and Bureau stakeholders and agency partners. Participate in events supporting these relationships. 3. Administer and direct activities associated with conducting timber sales and forest management activities for other Commonwealth agencies where it is determined it is in the best interests of the Bureau to do so. 4. Chair the Silvicultural Technical Advisory Committee when it is activated and participate in the Bureau of Forestry Stakeholder Group. 5. Provide the guidance and support necessary to enable the Silviculture Section to adequately report its activities and communicate with external partners and the public. Good Neighbor Authority Program Provide leadership in conducting the Good Neighbor Agreement program with federal partners. 1. Administer and coordinate annual planning for the Good Neighbor Authority program with the Allegheny National Forest and the district conducting the work in the field. 2. Lead the process of developing new Supplemental Project Agreements with the Allegheny and the local district involved and coordinate agreement modifications through legal review as necessary. 3. In conjunction with the Bureau and Department federal grant coordinators ensure all necessary reporting and record-keeping as required by the GNA Master Agreement and Supplemental Project Agreements occur quarterly, annually or as otherwise specified. 4. Ensure the Master Agreement is kept updated and renewed. 5. Keep abreast of developments in the Farm Bill which may impact current or future administration of the GNA program. Notify Bureau leadership of significant changes or impacts as they occur. 6. Represent the Bureau in national meetings associated with the GNA program. Supervision Ensure the full delivery of supervisory services to all staff within the section, including annual performance evaluations, setting work goals and communicating frequently with employees on progress and direction towards those goals. Provide guidance and mentorship as needed. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. It is the responsibility of the Section Chief to ensure the work listed is completed satisfactorily through making assignments and performing periodic reviews of staff performance against established objectives. This is accomplished both individually and through delegation to section staff. They consult with their staff and the Forest Program Operations Manager in establishing general program priorities and direction. The Section Chief exercises considerable decision making in diagnosing and resolving contract administration issues in consultation with legal counsel when appropriate. The Section Chief notifies supervisor of significant problems, issues or trends that are experienced at the program level or district level and presents recommendations for resolution. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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