Elliott State Research Forest Manager (oregon)

Job Description

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Are you an experienced natural resource manager with a passion for forest and ecosystem management? Apply to be our Elliott State Research Forest Manager by September 15th, 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 Land Board’s direction, DSL has been advancing a collaborative effort to transition the Elliott State Forest to a research forest and 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 Elliott State Research Forest. This new program is located within DSL’s Land Management Division.

The Elliott State Research Forest Manager will 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 people concerned about forest management, forest products, conservation, recreation, education and other values both on and beyond the Elliott.

This is a full-time position within the Department and is not represented by a union. This position is supported by existing legislative funding and is expected to become permanent.

What’s in it for you?

• Serve as the Manager for the Elliott State Research Forest, leading a newly established team in managing a world-class research forest.
• 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 least 10 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 $6,901 - $10,674 for employees new to DSL; as a current PERS participating member, start at $7,380-$11,417.

This position will be located within the communities surrounding 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.

Working Conditions:

Much of the work is in a hybrid office setting; occasional fieldwork may be required, 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 Elliott State Research Forest Manager, you will make wide-ranging decisions concerning complex and interrelated programs and disciplines. You will have the opportunity to:

• Build support for the program among the public, legislators, beneficiaries and constituents for DSL, and members of the board to increase awareness and facilitate positive relationships.
• Allow public access for recreational and educational purposes that is compatible with scientific and conservation objectives and the Elliott’s mission and management policies.
• Manage a newly formed team of three (3) staff in advancing long-term, operational-scale research and management on issues including forest management practices, ecosystem function, biodiversity, habitat conservation, water quality and quantity, carbon sequestration, rural livelihoods and the resilience of forests to the impacts of climate change.
• Support rural economies through active forest management, timber harvest, recreation, education, conservation and research.
• Promote opportunities at all education levels to interact with the forest and advance public understanding of the ecological, economic and social benefits of healthy forest ecosystems.
• Seek and work to advance active partnerships with Tribal governments regarding advancement of Tribal interests including cultural practices and Indigenous Knowledge.
• Maintain a financially self-sufficient forest management entity capable of operating and overseeing the forest and necessary infrastructure.
• Maintain a legally sustainable research forest management entity through compliance with a Habitat Conservation Plan, Forest Management Plan, and other applicable legal requirements.
• Prioritize, develop, and advance collaborative partnerships that recognize both the local and statewide values the forest provides.
• Maintain a high level of public accountability and transparency in forest management decisions and operations, and liaise with the Elliott State Research Forest Board.

The mission of the 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 State Land Board, and mission and management policies adopted by the State Land Board.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- to be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and/or experience:

Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 2:

Six (6) years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience.

OR

Three (3) years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience.

AND

A bachelor’s degree or higher in forest management, environmental science, natural resource management or another related field.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES- tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials:

• Professional community engagement experience: ability to develop and implement processes and plans to engage a variety of stakeholders such as the public, community organizations and interest groups, public agencies and governments, elected officials, and Tribes.
• Demonstrated understanding of sustainable forestry practices, silviculture, habitat conservation plans, and ecosystem management.
• Expertise in designing and advancing approaches to support collaboration, inclusive processes, and consensus building.
• Experience managing a dynamic team of professionals and assisting them on work prioritization and project management.
• Experience managing, communicating about and conducting engagement for high-profile, complex, or contentious topics.
• Knowledge of and experience with best practices for collaboration, partnership and public engagement and involvement.
• Knowledge of policymaking and decision environment at the state and federal levels.
• Experience with budget preparation, management, media engagement, and fundraising.

**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.

Additional Information:

• For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, you may visit the Oregon job opportunities website at: www.oregon.gov/jobs

• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources, or call Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.

• NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section.

• As an employer, DSL complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

• This position is subject to a fingerprint background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

• This position maybe contingent upon the outcome of a driving records check.

• Warning! The system will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity. You must submit your application after you begin the process. You cannot save your progress and come back to it later.

• After you apply: Log in to your Workday account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions. These can be found under the “My Applications” section. Make sure to complete these tasks or actions before the job announcement closes. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov and please be sure to include the job requisition number.  

• For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov or call 971-304-5881 to speak to our recruitment team.