Forest Health and Resilience District Manager

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Southeast Region as our Forest Health and Resilience District Manager, WMS1. This position is responsible for managing all forest health and resiliency program field functions and staff within the Southeast Region to facilitate implementation of the Washington State Forest Action Plan and RCW 76.06.200.

This position will serve as the direct supervisor for Service Forestry Program staff within the region, providing land management advice to forest landowners and helping to assess resource conditions and forest health, identify potential problems and opportunities, determine financial assistance eligibility, assist with treatment implementation, and recommend management practices to help achieve objectives. The Service Forestry Program is responsible for educating landowners and assisting with the development and implementation of management plans to guide current and future management actions.

This work of the Region is on part of DNR’s One-Stop Shop for Private Lands Assistance which is a cohesive landowner services program formed by integrating existing components to more effectively reach small forest landowners by identifying and removing barriers for technical assistance, funding, and forest health management planning; increasing education and outreach to small forest landowners; and distributing funding effectively to move high wildland fire risk areas to lower risk.

This position will serve as the direct supervisor for Service Forestry Program staff within the region, delivering the DNR’s One-Stop Shop for Private Lands Assistance, which is a cohesive forest landowner services program formed by integrating existing landowner assistance programs to more efficiently and effectively reach the diversity of small forest landowners by:

• Identifying and removing barriers for technical assistance, funding, and forest health management planning;
• Increasing education and outreach to small forest landowners; and
• Distributing funding effectively to move high wildland fire risk areas to lower risk.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, Natural Resources Management, or related field and five years of professional-level experience with a demonstrated progression in leadership responsibilities in the areas of land and resources management and personnel management;
• OR An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience researching and interpreting complex laws, policies, and agreement questions from staff and external customers.
• Ability to prioritize multiple expectations/projects and assign staff work.
• Demonstrated experience to establish and maintain productive working relationships, respond effectively to changing needs and priorities, efficiently allocate resources, and create and implement program improvements.
• Knowledge of tree identification and common Pacific Northwest forest insects and diseases.
• Skills in personnel management, including performance, training, motivation, and coaching.
• Familiarity with budget documents and tracking grants and expenditures related to the Program.
• General computer skills.

Position Specific Competencies:

• Commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
• Effective communications – both verbal and written.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to make solid program recommendations.
• Ability to negotiate solutions to complex issues.