Forest Legacy Program Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, WA

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Forest Legacy Program Manager administers all aspects of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s Forest Legacy Program (FLP) and Community Forest Legacy Program (CFLP). The position develops and implements program strategies, plans, and budgets; recruits projects for national funding opportunities; conducts stakeholder engagement and outreach; coordinates due diligence and land acquisitions; and monitors and reports on funded projects. It is 100% grant-funded, with funding reviewed annually. Remote work within Arizona is possible based on department business needs and continued achievement of performance measures. The role manages grants, budgets, cost-share awards, pass-through awards, contracts, and related program records. It coordinates land acquisition processes and conservation easement documentation, oversees due diligence and annual monitoring of funded properties, and develops and maintains program strategic plans, guidance, and assessment reports. The position also engages and oversees service providers, conducts site visits, participates in advisory boards, and works with public, nonprofit, and private partners. The position may require driving on state business, overnight stays, and some out-of-state travel.

Requirements

Knowledge of State and Federal Forest Legacy Program and Community Forest Legacy Program policies and protocols, and grant regulations under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.
Knowledge of basic forestry measurements, stewardship planning, and best practices.
Knowledge of conservation easements, property titles, boundary surveys, due diligence, and land appraisal standards.
Knowledge of strategic planning and program evaluation.
Skills in reviewing legal and process documents.
Strong communication skills, including writing, editing, speaking, listening, educating, and public speaking.
Skills in project and budget management and use of project management tools and databases.
Ability to organize internal and external teams to complete work by stated deadlines.
Ability to organize ideas and documents.
Skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis.
Ability to create and maintain interpersonal relationships; strong research and analytical skills.
Ability to review and understand complex legal and process documents.
Ability to plan work independently, adhere to schedules, and set and meet deadlines.
Ability to develop and execute strategies and build diverse partnerships, recruiting and motivating partners to submit project elements on deadline.
Ability to explain complex environmental metrics, legal property terms, and federal rules to non-technical private landowners.
Ability to interact tactfully with regulatory authorities, government agencies, and private landowners.
Ability to drive on state business, potentially with overnight stays, and undertake some out-of-state travel.
Valid Arizona Driver’s License; employees driving on state business must maintain a current, valid, class-appropriate license, complete required training, and pass required driving-record checks. Employees using a personally owned vehicle for state business must maintain required liability insurance.
Successful completion of the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) is required for newly hired State employees.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Conservation, or a related field.
Experience with land acquisitions and conservation easements.
Three years of work experience in a relevant profession, vocation, or activity.

Responsibilities

Work with partners to administer the Forest Legacy Program and Community Forest Legacy Program.
Build and maintain relationships with the US Forest Service, local and regional governments, nongovernmental organizations, private landowners, contractors, and other partners and stakeholders.
Oversee grant and budget administration for all aspects of the FLP and CFLP.
Compile and review applications; draft narratives and submit comprehensive funding proposals for federal consideration.
Manage multi-million-dollar budgets, allocate federal capital and partner match, track metrics, and prepare annual accomplishment reports.
Negotiate complex land acquisitions with private landowners and draft and review legally binding conservation easement documents.
Coordinate due diligence, including property appraisals, mineral evaluations, and baseline documentation reports.
Oversee annual monitoring of existing FLP-funded conservation properties for easement compliance.
Develop, manage, implement, and evaluate the Forest Legacy and Community Forestry Program Strategic Plan.
Review, revise, and maintain the Assessment of Need Report delivered with the 10-year USFS Forest Action Plan.
Participate in annual and five-year program reviews and maintain state program guidance for FLP and CFLP.
Implement program priorities, funding, and policies, and maintain program records.
Administer FLP and CFLP cost-share awards and related programs, including awards and master agreements.
Manage pass-through awards, projects, contracts, and annual program budgets for staff and special projects.
Engage and oversee service providers and manage contracts for legal, survey, appraisal, mineral determination, stewardship planning, and other services.
Track project status using USFS data management systems and conduct site visits.
With the Stewardship Program Manager, co-coordinate and provide oversight to the Forest Stewardship Statewide Advisory Committee and participate on statewide and national FLP advisory boards.
Perform other duties related to the position as assigned.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans.
10 paid holidays per year.
Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program).
Vacation accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first three years.
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly.
Deferred compensation plan.
Wellness plans.
Tuition reimbursement eligibility after one year of employment.
Arizona State Retirement System participation; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.