Natural Resource Specialist 4 - Statewide Interpretation Coordinator

State of Oregon•Tillamook | ODF | Tillamook Forest Center, OR

8d•$6,276 - $9,644•Onsite

About The Position

This position requires working at the Tillamook Forest Center with a Wednesday – Sunday schedule from March – November from 8 am – 4:30 pm in the spring and fall and 9 am – 5:30 pm during the summer. An alternate schedule is available December – February. The Benefits of Joining Our Team: Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, competitive benefits packages and so much more. Great Benefits Package - watch this video here You’ll be part of the ODF team that serves our fellow Oregonians relying on regulation and protection of both public and private forest land in our great state of Oregon! Click here. ODF is looking for a Natural Resources Specialist 4 – Statewide Interpretation Coordinator to lead Interpretation and Education (IE) for State Forests. This will consist of guiding a team of full-time IE staff in developing and delivering programs that build public awareness of ODF’s mission and the laws and policies that govern its work, particularly within the State Forest division. This position works closely with the Tillamook Forest Center Director to determine the program goals and priorities.

Requirements

Three years of experience in Natural Resource Communication/Interpretation.
At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities
A bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Communication/Interpretation or a closely related degree such as Tourism.
OR Three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
A master's degree in Natural Resource Communication/Interpretation will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
This position requires a criminal history background check
Driver’s License Check – This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for official State business. As part of the hiring process, the agency uses Advanced Reporting LLC to conduct all required DMV and CDL driving‑record checks. Advanced Reporting LLC will obtain and review the driving record for the top candidate to verify possession of a valid license and an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

Extensive knowledge and practice of interpretive principles, concepts, and techniques; Knowledge of PNW forest flora and fauna preferred.
Ability to plan, lead, and administer established and new interpretive and educational programming for the Tillamook Forest Center and State Forests across the landscape. Exercises sound judgment and independent decision-making around all aspects of program planning and execution.
Experience writing and researching education program curricula, interpretive program outlines, planning and coordinating events, developing and maintaining exhibits, and other interpretive media materials related to natural and cultural history for the general public, youth, and school groups with diverse audiences following Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and National Association for Interpretation standards.
Experienced and skilled at guiding staff to deliver thematic in-person and virtual natural and/or cultural programs, dialogic interpretation, and environmental education programs for diverse audiences ranging in ages from toddlers to the elderly that are both captive and non-captive audiences while modeling NAI Certified Interpretive Guide standards and techniques to explain complex scientific, technical, and educational concepts in an enjoyable, purposeful, organized, and relevant, and thematic manner.
Experience evaluating effectiveness of interpretive services and content to improve offerings and generate revenue in summaries and analyses. Evaluating findings and writing summary reports with recommendations.
Exceptional ability to lead people while managing own work. Proven ability to lead and build the capabilities of a driven and diverse team; ability to work independently and as part of a team to further the goals of the organization.
Cultivate and maintain positive and cooperative relationships with interested parties and community members including local Native American Tribes. Provide technical assistance on IE projects and activities, assist with National Association for Interpretative (NAI) certification programs, and facilitate other IE workshops for teachers, fellow IE professionals, and specialized trainings focused on interpretive media, dialogic interpretation, and interpretation.
Coordinate IE program and project development activities with other agency units and other state agencies (i.e.: Oregon Parks & Recreation Department, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon State Archives, Keep Oregon Green, Oregon, Forest Resources Institute, Oregon Natural Resources Education Program etc.) to foster a shared understanding about forest stewardship, to keep current on trends and challenges, to share technical information, and to cultivate intra and interagency collaboration.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and accuracy are essential.
Strong verbal communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively and professionally with a small team; strong written skills, the ability to write about forests in an accessible and engaging way for multiple platforms and diverse audiences while also using interpretive writing principles.
Able to track multiple projects and tasks, work under pressure, manage time to meet deadlines and priorities, and follow through; comfortable in a fast-paced environment that requires quick turnaround and flexibility.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with an emphasis on Outlook, Word, Excel, and Publisher. Adobe Suite or other graphic/media software preferred.
Experience managing a social media platform and archive collections using Past Perfect preferred.
National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Guides a team of full-time interpretive staff in developing and delivering both formal (person-to-person) and informal (signs/exhibits/brochures) interpretive services that increase public awareness of the Agency’s broader mission and the laws and policies governing its work.
Serve as the State Forests subject matter expert on interpretation and environmental education, across topics such as agency-wide natural resource management issues (e.g. the history of catastrophic wildfires on State forests), forest ecology, and active forest management.
Plans and administers all aspects of the Tillamook Forest Center’s volunteer program including day volunteers, site hosts, and episodic volunteers.
Partner with an interdisciplinary team (wildlife biologists, riparian specialists, roads specialists, and marketing foresters) to ensure interpretive and education opportunities are considered within the larger planning arena for current and future forest management.
Provide consultative feedback and technical guidance to supervisors, peers, and staff on relevant IE subjects.
Help ensure State Forest policy work, such as the Habitat Conservation Plan and Forest Management Plan, reflects the broad set of social, economic, and environmental values embodied in the Greatest Permanent Value mandate that guides all State Forest work.