Forestry Stewardship Manager – Eldorado NF

The Great Basin Institute`s Forestry Stewardship Contracting program, in collaboration with U.S. Forest Service staff on the Eldorado National Forest, is recruiting one (1) Forestry Stewardship Manager to oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of forestry and conservation projects on the Eldorado National Forest. 

The Eldorado Forestry Stewardship Manager will work in cooperation with federal and non-federal agencies to provide management of collaborative stewardship projects in the Sierra Nevada on the Eldorado National Forest, while supporting broader projects where available and applicable. The Manager will plan and oversee activities associated with numerous forest health, restoration, and fuels reduction projects. Duties include management of federal stewardship agreements and non-federal grants, project/sale administration, project planning, and maintaining compliance with NEPA and other legal requirements. The Manager will also manage or coordinate the day to day activities of GBI and Forest Service staff. The position supports partnership development by coordinating annual work plans, report processing, drafting requests for proposals, facilitating bid process, awarding contracts, and ensuring project specifications adhere to federal and State of California requirements. This position also serves as the Manager between contractors and state and federal agency project managers while supporting/approving financial and performance reporting of project activities.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Creates contracting packages, authorizes invoices, financial and performance reporting to federal and non-federal agencies.
• Reviews, compiles, manages and analyzes field data for project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Determines sale boundaries, proper location of logging roads, acceptable marking and cutting methods, stumpage prices, and the requirements for brush disposal, erosion control, and stand improvement.
• Prepares and ensures quality of documentation such as detailed maps, timber sale appraisals, and timber sale reporting.
• Monitors and oversees cruising and marking of timber, prepares general logging plans, and verifies logging system settings for project implementation.
• Identifies and verifies the land status and environmental constraints affecting the layout of the proposed project on the ground.
• Coordinates contracts for mechanical treatments and biomass removal with contractors, monitors compliance and conducts quality control/quality assurance.
• Assists with monitoring, tracking, and reporting on project efforts and progress.
• Manages/builds federal stewardship agreements and non-federal grants.
• Coordinates between GBI and USFS seasonal employees, supports the recruitment, hiring, training and deployment across multiple Ranger Districts.
• Supervises Stewardship Coordinators in the execution of the above duties in addition to seasonal Timber Sale Administrators and Harvest Inspectors.

LOCATION

This position is based in Placerville, California, in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills. Placerville is a historic Gold Rush town that offers direct access to a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.

The surrounding landscape provides abundant options for hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, and river rafting, while the higher elevations of the Eldorado National Forest and nearby Lake Tahoe region offer world-class skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry exploration. Placerville is conveniently situated about an hour from Sacramento and just over two hours from the greater San Francisco Bay Area, providing a balance of rural living with access to urban amenities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Starting annual salary is $72,800 – $76,960 DOE. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.  Mental health support resources are employer-provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (12 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is $72k – $85k per year, DOE.  This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

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.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Strong working knowledge of mixed conifer forests typical of the Sierra Nevada, including common woody and herbaceous plants, wildlife, and general geology/topography.
  • Ability to monitor contractor compliance with contract and agreement stipulations.
  • Skills in project management/coordination and conflict resolution.
  • Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized, accurate, and accessible manner.
  • Ability to effectively employ and train field personnel in safety practices, field methods, and data management.
  • Ability to lead forestry field crews, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, clear communication, sound forestry practices, and high-quality data collection.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage a diverse audience.
  • Proficiency using ArcGIS to create, modify, and analyze spatial data.
  • Ability to navigate and collect spatial data using handheld GPS units, Avenza, or similar devices.
  • Ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
  • Physical ability to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of equipment, and work in forested and/or high desert environments in all seasons.
  • Willingness and ability to camp in remote, primitive locations for several consecutive days when necessary.
  • Consistent commitment to high performance standards, strong work ethic, and collaborative team culture in support of GBI’s mission and USFS goals.
• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Forestry, Resource Management, or another related natural science field.
    • Those without a degree but that have significant applicable experience will be considered.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of four (4) years of experience demonstrating successful application of forestry principles such as forestry mensuration, contract administration, or project planning.
  • Experience with project management, coordination, and conflict resolution.

Preferred Qualifications:

Not every preferred qualification needs to be met to apply; we encourage strong candidates who demonstrate potential and a willingness to grow and learn.  We acknowledge transferable skills and a proven eagerness to learn as valuable qualities in an applicant.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing diverse teams, including oversight of staff performance, workflow coordination, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• California Registered Professional Forester, Master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or a related field, or similar advanced training or experience in forest management or restoration ecology.
• Experience administering federal stewardship agreements, grants, timber sales, or similar contracting mechanisms on National Forest System lands.
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, or conservation organizations.
• Experience developing or reviewing NEPA documents, project planning analyses, or environmental compliance materials.

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, but may occasionally increase while working around machinery.

The overall nature of the position is mixed. Physical demands will often be sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion, but strenuous field work is required. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, temperature changes, and uneven terrain.

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

NOTE: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.