Forest Resilience Project Manager - Limited Service

State of Vermont • Calais, VT

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Forest Resilience Project Manager will coordinate all aspects of the Growing Vermont's Forest Resilience grant for Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The grant is focused on elevating the role of management for forest products to enhance resilience. Partners include UVM Extension, Vermont Woodlands Association, Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC), Vermont Coverts, Vermont Audubon and others. The position involves coordinating the project's implementation, coordinating partners, managing sub-awards, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. The Project Manager will ensure that all deliverables are met on time and that detailed reporting requirements are satisfied, working closely with the US Forest Service and other stakeholders. This is a limited-service position, envisioned to be funded to the end of the project in Spring 2029. The position will support both strategic planning and day-to-day operations. This position requires skills and experience in project management, grant administration, stakeholder coordination, and communications. Familiarity with, and passion for, forest stewardship and natural resources is preferred. This position is conditional on federal funding.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in financial management, grants administration, program evaluation or closely related field AND three (3) years or more at a professional level in accounting, financial auditing work, grants administration, or in a role with responsibility for management of financial affairs, or a governmental accounting system.
• OR Master's degree or higher in business or public administration AND two (2) years or more at a professional level in accounting, financial auditing work, grants administration, or in a role with responsibility for management of financial affairs, or a governmental accounting system.
• OR Five (5) year or more at a professional level in accounting, financial auditing work, grants administration, or in a role with responsibility for management of financial affairs, or a governmental accounting system.
• Skills and experience in project management, grant administration, stakeholder coordination, and communications.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with, and passion for, forest stewardship and natural resources is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with partners, staff, landowners, and professionals that will enable successful completion of the grant.
• Cultivate a shared vision and strategy for the project to advance forest resilience through management for forest products.
• Develop and maintain the Project Work Plan, including a detailed timeline of activities and deadlines.
• Maintain the budget for the overall project, subawards, and contracts, including budget development, expenditure tracking, cash-flow and spending projections, reimbursement and invoicing coordination, reconciliation, subrecipient budget monitoring, variance analysis, budget modifications, and ensuring expenditures remain allowable, allocable, and aligned with grant requirements and project objectives.
• Act as the principal point of contact for all partner organizations, landowners, and key stakeholder groups, addressing questions or issues related to the partner agreements and associated deliverables.
• Facilitate regular communication and ensure alignment between all partners and sub-awardees, including organizing and leading periodic coordination meetings.
• Oversee the timely and accurate submission of all required deliverables, including written reports, data, and financial documentation.
• Hold all project partners accountable to their roles and responsibilities, tracking progress and identifying and collaboratively supporting resolution of any potential delays or issues.
• Manage the timely processing of sub-agreements with implementing partners, ensuring compliance with both grant guidelines and state/federal regulations.
• Monitor and ensure compliance of grant requirements by both Forests, Parks and Recreation Department (FPR) and its partners in fulfilling contractual obligations.
• Ensure detailed and frequent reporting to US Forest Service and other funding bodies, adhering to strict timelines and expectations.
• Compile, draft, edit, and finalize reports, ensuring content is accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with the grant's goals and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level