Program Supervisor - Northwest Land Office Forest Management Program Supervisor

State of Montana • Kalispell, MT

7h

About The Position

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.
The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained.
Core Values:
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana.
We value and respect each other.
We create collaborative work environments.
We build and maintain strong relationships.
We practice accountability.
We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work
Job Overview:
This position serves as the Northwestern Land Office Forest Management Program Supervisor and is responsible for program administration, professional forestry functions, and providing technical expertise in the coordination, planning, and implementation of the forest management program for the Northwest Area. This includes administering program operations (budgets, procurement, contract administration, documentation, MEPA, etc.); supervising Area-office forest management resource specialists; and chairing the NWLO Forest Management Committee. The program supervisor also provides Area-wide procurement and contracting services. The position reports to the Trust Land Program Manager, functioning independently in the execution of major duties, and is directly responsible for decisions made and actions taken.

Requirements

• Requires knowledge of forestry and natural resource management including forest management, forest product sales, forest improvement, environmental compliance processes (e.g., EAs and EISs) and other regulatory requirements (land use and access law); knowledge of the principles and practices of program administration including project management, governmental budgeting and accounting, contracting, procurement, information systems, public relations, conflict resolution methods and techniques, and records management; and knowledge of supervisory methods and policies.
• Requires skill in administering multiple forest product sale and forest improvement projects, verbal and written communication, negotiation and conflict management, the use of personal computers and forestry- and business-related software, public speaking, communicating both verbally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals in an effective manner, and in organizing and delivering reports.
• Requires the ability to be effective in problem-solving and managing conflicts; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse people sometimes in adverse environments; to learn and apply DNRC and other state and federal agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures; to prioritize assignments and work under deadlines; and to organize and complete detailed work.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent, completed 36 months.
• In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card"

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the planning, scheduling, and implementation of area forest management activities with Unit Managers, Area Specialists, Bureau Specialists, and the Forest Management Bureau to meet statutorily mandated requirements for Forest Management Activities on State Trust Lands including; the generation of revenue for trust beneficiaries and the perpetuation of healthy and diverse forests.
• Responsible for area-wide forest management program administration to meet Department, Division, Bureau, Area, and Unit forest management goals and objectives. This includes working with Unit foresters and Area Specialists to identify and schedule forest management projects; providing technical expertise in the areas of forestry, silviculture, forest improvement, timber sale scheduling and development, contract development and administration, resource allocation and mobilization and the adjustment of schedules and plans to accomplish forest management goals and objectives.
• Responsible for the review and approval of all completed timber sale packages, including contracts, agreements, and MEPA packages to ensure they meet area objectives, comply with applicable regulations and as necessary to identify appropriate modifications prior to implementation.
• Evaluate procurement and contracting processes; project scopes of work, requirements, timeframes, prospectuses, and notices; maps; road construction plans and designs; appraisals; environmental analyses; etc. Develop appropriate modifications or additions to packages. Approve and ensure the submission of selection and contracting documentation to the Forest Management Bureau. Coordinate the submission of information and supporting documentation to the State Land Board.
• Provides guidance and technical assistance to Unit Foresters (e.g., Forest Management Supervisors and Management Foresters) and contractors on best management practices and project management to facilitate timber sale and forest improvement projects. Solves problems related to project implementation (new road construction, contract amendments, billing issues, product quality or delivery issues, etc.). Provide technical expertise and information for the development of project plans and proposals; advise on project implementation strategies (e.g., regulatory compliance, forest thinning, forest health improvement, road development, etc.); assess proposed and active projects to determine and recommend modifications; and serve as or coordinate the activities of subject matter experts (e.g. serving as SME on silvicultural issues, coordinating the activities of biologists and hydrologists, assist in obtaining outside expertise as needed, etc.).
• Administer program operations (e.g., budgets, contracts, equipment, etc.) to ensure adequate support for forest product sales and improvement activities in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Administer the area forest product sales and forest improvement budget to ensure attainment of program goals and objectives and proper expenditure of financial resources to support program operations. This includes developing budget estimates and recommendations; evaluating historic and projected expenditures and revenues (e.g., forest improvement fees); coordinating budget information dissemination and collection (e.g., providing input on forms for budget tracking in the field); monitoring expenditures to ensure they are allowable; recommending budget adjustments or reallocations; and ensuring appropriate entry and reporting of budget information.
• Provide input to the Area Trust Lands Program Manager and Forest Management Bureau on policy updates modifications and developments necessary to support effective program operations. This includes researching best practices in forest management and evaluating area program operations to determine and recommend policy modifications, drafting policy changes as assigned, and implementing approved policy.
• Coordinate and oversee procurement and contract administration for area forest product sales and improvement projects to ensure the agency receives the best value products and services in compliance with procurement and contracting laws and rules. This includes recruiting contractors by disseminating information regarding upcoming projects and opportunities; coordinating and overseeing procurement (e.g., requests for proposals, sale packages, equipment specifications, etc.); administering contracts to ensure the delivery of products and services as agreed; providing technical assistance to unit staff on procurement and contract administration issues; resolving problems; and negotiating solutions and/or contract amendments.
• Perform and oversee area forest product sales and improvement documentation and reporting to maintain records of projects, ensure compliance with records retention requirements, and to provide data for future project and program planning. This includes coordinating the collection of information from unit offices, evaluating project documentation in progress and during close-outs, maintaining databases and other electronic records (e.g., the Trust Land Management System), and providing information for reports (e.g., harvest volumes, forest improvement outcomes, revenues collected, etc.
• Supervise area resource specialists and support staff (4 FTE).
• Establish work plans, priorities, schedules, and procedures, and monitor progress through meetings and consultations. Conduct staff meetings, disseminate data, and promote information exchange for support and advancement of project goals.
• Establish objective, measurable and observable performance standards for subordinate positions. Monitor and manage the performance of all positions directly supervised and complete performance appraisals. Implement and monitor corrective action including discipline and termination. Ensure all subordinates comply with State and departmental personnel rules, regulations, and policies.

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
• A vibrant Employee Assistance Program
• State of Montana employment may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed