Forestry Programs Director

Great Basin Institute (GBI), founded at the University of Nevada, Reno, is a mission-driven non-profit organization headquartered in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Institute advances ecological literacy, professional development, and environmental resource management through educational outreach and direct service programs.

GBI’s Basin and Range Forestry Program (BRF) and Forestry Stewardship Contracting (FSC) Programs seek a Director to provide mission-based leadership, maintain and develop partnerships, and oversee program staff and operations in support of numerous field personnel on annual and seasonal appointments across the western United States. Important roles of this position include overseeing dozens of active federal and non-federal agreements and contracts, communicating with agency partners, managing program and project budgets, and cooperatively informing and upholding GBI policies and procedures. This position regularly directs the work of four or more staff members and is responsible for hiring, performance management and mentorship in cooperation with the Executive Leadership Team.

This critical program lead position requires a visionary individual to oversee, and support a large forestry and forest stewardship contracting program. The Director will manage current programs for high quality delivery, while exploring options to strengthen and develop new partnerships and service opportunities. 

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Support the training, development and performance of program staff;
• Develop proposals for agreements, contracts, and grants;
• Coordinate management/research projects with federal, state, and other partners;
• Prepare and present deliverables as required by awarded commitments;
• Generate and manage Forestry Programs budget and fiscal forecasts;
• Promote effective internal and external communication;
• Oversee recurring program operations/approvals, including payroll, invoicing, and reporting;
• Foster best-practice approaches to recruitment and other essential team needs;
• Provide cross-program/department support and engagement.
• Administering operational grants, while complying with all GBI & Grantor standards, policies and objectives;
• Conducting or ensuring regular project site visits regionally to ensure compliance with SOP’s and expected on-the-ground outcomes;
• Coordinating program management as a proactive member of a diversifying, driven and successful leadership team;

Requirements/Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in natural resource  or forest management or related discipline, preferred;
• Experience working with federal land management agencies, members of the public, and/or non-profit organizations;
• Leadership experience, involving responsibilities in fiscal, program, personnel, and operations management;
• Relevant or related field experience – knowledge of and/or experience in high desert, Sierra, and/or Great Basin ecology is ideal;
• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of GBI;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience including members of the public, agency resource staff and management, and GBI program and administrative staff;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately;
• High level of organization and attention to detail with demonstrated field and leadership skills;
• Proven skills in business and financial management; strong management, delegation and leadership skills and speaking/presentation abilities;
• Effective problem solving skills and ability to share skills and knowledge with others;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license, an insurable record, and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
• Meet requirements of federal agency security background checks (e.g., FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry, Department of Interior Security Screening).
• Minimum of five years of project or program development experience expected;
• Ideally five years’ experience managing multiple forest stewardship projects and personnel;
• Demonstrated experience in areas such as grant writing and management, project development, training, team building, and problem solving;
• Experience developing and implementing agreements and contracts with federal land-management agencies, other governments agencies and nonprofit organizations;
• Familiarity with regional forest community-based agencies, services and resources;
• Willingness and ability to travel on average one week per month during operating field season.

LOCATION

Based at GBI offices in Reno, NV The “Biggest Little City in the World” the greater Reno-Sparks metropolitan area has a population of over 435,000. The city is a high desert landscape ~4,500 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains along the Truckee River, as itflows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Weather is mild, but with distinct four seasons. Reno offers easy access to world-class outdoor recreation including driving distance to Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks, the Pacific Ocean, and California redwood forests. Closer to home, Nevada offers more natural hot springs than any other state in the country, over 150 named mountain ranges, and 30 peaks over 11,000 feet. Recreation and entertainment includes eight major ski resorts in proximity to the Reno-Tahoe airport; fishing and boating on Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake; cultural festivals throughout the summer along the banks of the Truckee River; a thriving food scene and more.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Starting annual salary is $74 – $95k DOE. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as mental health support resources, 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is $81 – $102k per year, DOE.  This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.