Deadline: Tue, 09/17/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: Department of State Lands Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: Oregon Location Detail: This position will be located within reasonable commuting distance from Elliott State Research Forest, to be discussed and determined upon hire. This position is eligible for hybrid remote work. Preference may be given to applicants already located or willing to relocate within Coos or Douglas County. Job Description: Job Description: Are you an experienced Forester looking to oversee a world-class research forest? Apply to be our Forester (Natural Resource Specialist 4) for the Elliott State Research Forest by September 17th, 2024! Make a Difference for Oregon. The Department of State Lands (DSL) manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As the Elliott State Research Forest Manager, you will too. At the State Land Board’s direction, DSL has been advancing a collaborative effort to transition the Elliott State Forest to the Elliott State Research Forest, an internationally important center for forest science and management. DSL is now hiring a team of staff who will work with current DSL staff as well as external partners to stand up DSL’s program for operational management of the forest. This new program is located within DSL’s Land Management Division. The primary purpose of this position is to oversee forestry activities under direction of the Elliott State Research Forest Manager, DSL Director, the Elliott’s Board of Directors, and the Land Board. This is a limited duration appointment and is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position is supported by existing legislative funding and is expected to become permanent. Working Conditions: Much of the work is in a hybrid office setting; fieldwork is a common and required part of the job, and occasional travel is an essential function of the position. Overnight stays and/or extended work hours can be expected along with exposure to inclement weather and road conditions. What you will be doing: As the Forester for the Elliott State Research Forest, you will advance forest management consistent with the forest’s foundational documents and Forest Management Plan, including the mission and management policies adopted by the Land Board and the Habitat Conservation Plan. You will have the opportunity to: Develop, draft, and advance specific forest management activities within the Elliott’s biennial operations plans, in coordination with other team staff and processes. Oversee contract administration for forest management services. Develop and ensure advancement of project and larger monitoring efforts, forest inventory or other data needs, and GIS maps utilizing GPS units and ESRI ArcGIS software as needed for forest management duties. Monitor public use of the forest and oversee and enter into interagency agreements. Coordinate wildfire protection of the forest, including through Oregon Department of Forestry or other fire protection agreements as well as communications with Coos and Douglas Forest Protection Associations. Coordinate with law enforcement on patrol agreements. Represent agency as a forestry expert to the public and in working groups or meetings associated with creation and advancement of the forest. Participate with agency and program staff in meetings on management, research, or other proposals and coordination of internal and external communication. Participate in outreach activities and public meetings. The mission of Elliott State Research Forest is to create an enduring, publicly owned, world-class research forest that advances and supports forest health, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration and recovery of imperiled species, water quality and quantity, recreational opportunities, active management, forest products, and local economies. This research forest will be managed to promote collaboration, partnerships, inclusive public processes, and equity, in line with an applicable Habitat Conservation Plan approved under the Endangered Species Act, a Forest Management Plan approved by the Land Board, and mission and management policies adopted by the Land Board. The program aims to advance work with local, statewide, national, and international implications of great interest to the public, Tribes, industries, organizations, government agencies, science and research entities, and landowners or individuals concerned about forest management, forest products, conservation, recreation, education, and other values both on and beyond the Elliott. Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- to be considered for this position (Natural Resource Specialist 4), please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and/or experience: Four (4) years of experience in Forest, Fish and/or Wildlife Management; at least one year must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND A bachelor’s degree in forestry, forest management, environmental science, fish or wildlife science, or another related field. ORThree (3) additional years of related experience. NOTE: A master’s degree in will substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience and a doctorate degree in will substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES- tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials: Working knowledge of forest management technology and recommended best management practices. General knowledge of land use regulations, hazardous waste rules and property development, as well as with habitat conservation plans. Excellent verbal and written skills including working with operators, landowners, and the public in communicating technical information and prescriptive standards. Experience providing education and outreach to a variety of users such as landowners, operators, small woodland owners, and other agencies in classroom/workshop and/or field tour settings etc. Experience or education in using GIS to create project maps, especially use of ArcPro or ArcGIS Online. Experience in the layout and preparation of timber sales, including experience in sale boundary posting, timber cruising, timber appraisal and timber sale contract preparation and administration. Ability to obtain an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) Safety Education Card. Demonstrated understanding of sustainable forestry practices, silviculture, and ecosystem management. Skill in researching information from all relevant sources to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Experience handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. Skill in using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems. **You must attach a resume and a cover letter of no more than two pages explaining your experience in the above desired attributes to be considered. The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians. Salary: $5,746 - $8,831 Benefits: What’s in it for you? Serve as the lead Forester as a central part of the newly formed team. Join an organization with smart, driven, co-workers who care about Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities, and their co-workers. Gain full benefits with 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums paid by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health coverage. Accrue 8 hours of sick leave and at 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years. Receive 11 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 3 personal business days and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans. Automatically enroll into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after 6 months of full-time service. Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at $5,746 - $8,831 for employees new to DSL; as a current PERS participating member, start at $6,143-$9,444. How to Apply: https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/Forester---Elliott-State-Research-Forest_REQ-164330
