Silviculture & Vegetation Management Program Manager

The Department of College Forests in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University is seeking a Silviculture & Vegetation Management Program Manager. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

The OSU Research Forests were donated to the College of Forestry to serve as living laboratories and outdoor classrooms for students, researchers and managers to learn about forest ecosystems and management. OSU utilizes the Research Forests to find new ways to sustainably manage forests for conservation, education, business and recreation. Our forests proudly serve as a refuge for the community to connect with nature, learn about our ecosystems and enjoy favorite outdoor activities. All operations on the forests, including recreation and trails, are self-funded through timber harvests.

 

The Silviculture & Vegetation Management Program Manager (SVMP Manager) provides leadership and management of their programs, including post-harvest reforestation, young stand management, competing vegetation control, pre-commercial thinning, young stand inventories and control of invasive plant species. The SVMP Manager serves as a member of the College Research Forests management team, reporting to the Associate Director of Operations, and is responsible for young stand silviculture and vegetation management in support of the College’s teaching, research, outreach and demonstration mission. The SVMP Manager will spend a significant amount of time working in the Blodgett Research Forest and Tualatin Mountain Forest (Columbia and Multnomah Counties). The SVMP Manager is expected to contribute to a welcoming and supportive working environment, embracing the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

50% – Silviculture & Vegetation Management to Achieve Teaching, Research and Outreach Goals:

• Provide leadership for young stand silviculture and vegetation management programs
• Prepare and administer contracts for herbicide application, seed and seedling acquisition, planting, planting inspection, pre-commercial thinning and slash mitigation. Conduct show-me trips, evaluate bids and hire and oversee contractors.
• Plan and implement vegetation management treatments, including herbicide applications for invasive plant species and forestry site preparation and release. Conduct small-scale treatments and oversee large-scale treatments using contractors.
• Order, track and inspect tree seed and seedlings to maintain quality stock for planting operations
• Prepare, implement and administer pre-commercial thinning contracts, including collecting stocking densities and setting prescriptions
• Communicate with nurseries and arrange for pick-up or delivery of seedlings; manage tree seedling storage and planting site delivery
• Oversee planting, performance and quality control standards for planting contractors
• Design and implement treatments to control invasive species and increase the presence of native vegetation, including herbaceous plants and shrubs
• Document slash loading in recently harvested areas; mitigate slash through traditional methods (burning) or alternative methods (mulching/mastication); complete Oregon Department of Forestry’s required notification and planning process for slash pile burning
• Conduct young tree survival surveys in recently planted areas
• Ensure planting and herbicide application are compliant with state and federal regulations, including the Oregon Forest Practices Act and EPA Worker Protection Standard
• Work with Recreation Program to coordinate public outreach for herbicide application and slash pile burning
• Participate in applicable co-ops that promote and enhance vegetation management and tree seed/seedling growth improvements, including the Vegetation Management Research Cooperative (VMRC), Northwest Tree Improvement Cooperative (NWTIC), Redwood Tree Improvement Cooperative (RWTIC) and J.E. Schroeder Seedling Nursery

30% – Invasive Species Mitigation:

• Collaborate with an advisory committee to create an invasive species mitigation plan for the Research Forests
• Review and recommend strategies to prevent establishment of invasive species
• Implement a procedure for surveying and monitoring invasive species populations
• As time allows, attend Cooperative Weed Management Area meetings
• Co-manage roadside spray program with Research Forest Engineer
• Assist other Research Forest staff with herbicide planning and prescriptions, including roadside and recreation applications

15% – Supervision:

• Hire and train student employees (graduate and undergraduate students; up to five at a time); plan, assign and review work performed by student workers
• Establish performance goals and assess results; discipline up to and including dismissal, in compliance with University policies and procedures
• Support an inclusive work environment and engage in education and training to develop competency for leadership in a diverse community
• Identify projects; write, solicit (in coordination with OSU’s Procurement and Contract Services) and implement contracts; supervise contractors

5% – Other Duties:

• Participate in staff meetings, engage in performance evaluations, undertake regular communications (internal and external) and participate in annual budgeting exercises
• Assist with new and on-going research, as available and requested
• Lead and collaborate with teams developing projects and programs
• Maintain public pesticide applicator’s license (forest category) and complete required annual training credits; ensure compliance with state and federal mandates, including EPA’s Worker Protection Standard; train Research Forests staff on herbicide safety and post and maintain herbicide application records
• Collaborate with all staff on public outreach that supports field projects