Trinity County Resource Conservation District is accepting applications for the position of Forest Health Program Director.  The Program Director is responsible for planning, implementation, and management of Forest Health projects, and assists in program development under the supervision of the Executive Director.  The position is responsible for overseeing and delegating to personnel who coordinate on-the-ground duties, including implementation, maintenance, and monitoring, and develop long-term strategies to improve the overall effectiveness of Forest Health practices and programs.  The Forest Health Program Director must be able to work under pressure at times to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion.  The Forest Health Program Director will work closely with the Executive Director in achieving goals related to general operations, planning and budgeting, program development, contracting, and compliance with District policy and procedural manuals.

This position requires a person who can work effectively in a collaborative environment, is self-directed, who is comfortable working independently, and who can motivate themselves and their program to a high level of work quality, efficiency, and professionalism.  The Program Director is a full-time, fully benefited position.  The candidate list generated from this announcement will be used to fill future vacancies in this job classification.

Required Qualifications:

1. Five years or more of combined education and professional experience in natural resources, developing, coordinating, and implementing resource-related projects, including managing project budgets and personnel.

2. Proficient with Microsoft Office, ESRI ArcGIS, and GPS software and hardware, with the ability to effectively manage data.

3. Self-directed, with supervisory experience and the ability to prioritize and coordinate workload, both independently and as part of a team.

4. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain partnerships with landowners and other agencies, including people with a wide range of backgrounds and communication styles.

5. Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills, including ability to write clear, accurate, and effective reports.

6. Excellent project management skills with meticulous attention to detail. Strong planning skills, including the ability to anticipate tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, manage budgets, and function smoothly under strict deadlines and shifting priorities.

7. Valid California driver’s license with a clean driving record and motor vehicle insurance.

Desired Qualifications:

Preference will be given to candidates with the following skills and experience:

1. Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental policies and regulations pertaining to resource management programs, including NEPA and CEQA processes.

2. A four-year college degree in a natural resource-related field, such as forestry, ecology, biology, botany, environmental sciences, or a related field.

3. Knowledge of Landowner assistance programs such as Cal-Fire CFIP and NRCS EQIP programs.

4. Possession of professional licenses and/or training such as RPF, Arborist, Engineer, USFS NEPA Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Archaeologist, or other professionally recognized license or training.

5. Knowledge of forestry practices for forest health including fuels reduction, prescribed fire for vegetation management, and watershed restoration.

6. Experience managing staff, providing training and mentorship, and completing performance evaluations.

7. Experience managing contracts and operations related to forestry projects; i.e. mastication or fuels crews. Knowledge of California contracting laws and regulations.

8. Knowledge of threatened and endangered species, carbon sequestration, rare and sensitive plant surveys, and wetlands delineation.

9. Experience developing grant proposals. Record of funded grant proposals desired.

10. Ability to perform physical labor outdoors in rugged terrain and inclement weather and lift 50 pounds.

Duties:

The Program Director will perform a wide variety of natural resources-related work, including but not limited to:

• Oversee overall strategic planning of Forest Health Program while delegating operations to Program Managers

• Proposal development for future projects (Grant/Agreement writing).

• Assist with design and implementation of forestry and fuels reduction projects, including preparing project maps and prescriptions and coordinating logistics for implementation.

• Preparation of and oversight of project contracts, project development, and project implementation

• Participate in personnel performance evaluations of subordinate staff and provide staff training.

• Delegates and trains Managing and Coordinating staff on:

  • Complete on-site inspections to evaluate progress and project compliance with plans, specifications, and overall objectives.

  • Conduct project monitoring to evaluate results and trends, and recommend improvements to project designs.

• Develop detailed reports, invoices, and presentations for projects.

• Coordinate with project partners on long term and immediate goals, including the US Bureau of Land Management, United State Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and other state, local, and private organizations.

• Represent TCRCD in meetings with the Trinity County Fire Safe Council, Trinity County Collaborative Group, Weaverville Community Forest Steering Committee, and other groups.

• Attend other required meetings, presentations, and public events.

• Work with District staff to ensure budgets are maintained.

• Works with Executive leadership to ensure Forest Health aligns with RCD goals

• Strategic planning, budgeting, project development, and funding development plans.

• Grant and Project tracking, reporting, and invoicing

• Some field work associated with prescribed burning or contract administration

• Other duties as assigned.

Pay, Benefits, & Working Environment

Work Environment:

Office and field work, with the majority occurring in an office setting. Typical workweeks are four, 10-hour days, or five, 8-hour days with possibility of one remote day a week. Occasional weekend or evening work may be required. Due to job requirements, this is a full-time, in-person role. Some telework may be permitted during the off-season, which will be subject to approval by the Executive Director and comply with District teleworking policies.

Benefits:

The TCRCD offers paid medical, vision, and dental insurance; 11 paid holidays per year, plus accrued personal time off; contribution to a retirement plan; and a working environment that recognizes the importance of a satisfying work/life balance.

To Apply:

Mail resume and cover letter to Trinity County RCD, Attn: Kelly Sheen, PO Box 1450, Weaverville, CA 96093; or email to: ksheen@tcrcd.net with “Forest Health Program Director” in the subject line; or drop off at our office:
30 Horseshoe Lane, Weaverville, CA.

Fillable job application here.

For more information:

Call us at (530) 623-6004, or email mwalters@tcrcd.net.

Salary Range:

$38.00 – 46.20 hourly, DOE.

Closing Date:

Until Filled.