There is currently one permanent full-time position open with the Oregon Department of Forestry located in Salem.  This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for this position and may be used to fill future vacancies. For specific questions regarding this position, please contact Josh Barnard, Field Support Unit Manager, at (503) 945-7493.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon by protecting, managing and promoting stewardship of Oregon’s forests to enhance environmental, economic and community sustainability. ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.

This position is part of the Field Support staff of the Private Forests Program in Salem.  The purpose of this program is: to encourage economically efficient forest practices that ensure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species, consistent with the sound management of soil, air, water, fish and wildlife resources and to assure the continued benefits of these resources for future generations; to provide technical and financial assistance to non-federal forest landowners to improve the management on private forest lands; and to minimize the incidence and severity of forest insect and disease impacts on non-federal forest land throughout the state. The benefits derived from this program affect all Oregonians.  The program directly regulates forest operations statewide on all non-federal forestland.  The program also encourages voluntary actions that go beyond the standards of the forest practice rules and as such is a major element supporting the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.

The primary purpose of this position is to act as the division expert on water quality issues associated with forest practices.  The specific functions associated with this role include:  (1) Provide technical guidance and consultation on water quality issues and forest management to ODF executive staff, managers and field personnel, landowners, operators, state and federal agencies and other groups (2) act as the division and agency expert on forest water quality issues in support of the Board of Forestry and other public forums (3) plans, leads, and implements special projects, policy development or new program activities associated with water quality (4) independently interprets and evaluates research and monitoring data to assess the implementation and effectiveness of existing water quality protection measures (5) writes technical reports and publications based on original data or existing research and monitoring.  This position will complete tasks and assignments without supervision and independently decide day to day methods, priorities, and activities to achieve results.

The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon’s forests.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Policy and Planning (Staff Functions)

• Provides forest water quality expertise and guidance in the development of statewide program policies and rules related to resource protection, future water quality program and policy needs, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) options for harvesting, road construction and maintenance, landslides, chemical and pesticide applications and other forest management practices and activities.
• Reviews and interprets federal and state statutes, regulations, policy, and technical guidance; and translates these for agency field staff, executive staff, Board of Forestry and the public.
• Reviews, evaluates, and recommends course of action regarding legislation, administrative rules, or other regulations and initiatives likely to affect the program.
• Acts as a principal program technical representative in administrative rule development, public hearings, legal proceedings, and other venues with the potential for significant program impact.
• Monitors pertinent legislation during legislative sessions, develops analyses and agency positions, and testifies at legislative hearings.
• Monitors effectiveness of rules, guidance and related technical notes for harvesting, road construction and maintenance, treatment of slash, landslides, chemical and pesticide applications and other rule topics related to water quality. Recommends appropriate changes as needed.
• Communicates policy options to other agencies (Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.) in the context of water quality.
• Serves as technical staff to the Board of Forestry, advisory committees, interagency groups, legislative committees, and task forces.

Projects, Programs, and Assessments

• Plan, lead, and implement special projects or new program activities.  Develop strategies for specific projects including goals, objectives, sample and analysis design and field procedures. Coordinate information gathering efforts, proposals, and procedures with appropriate participants (other agencies, private landowners, and volunteer groups).
• Conduct research, review literature (including peer review of relevant research for Journals), interpret information from reports, records, and other sources regarding water quality, hydrology and forest practices.
• Frequently serve as project leader, delegates discrete elements project work to lower level staff or technical assistants and evaluates adequacy of work.
• Develops and manages cooperative agreements or contracts including scope of work, budget and technical aspects.
• Serve as a member and at times chair on technical advisory committees.
• Monitor project status to ensure progress towards completion.  Evaluate compliance with procedures and full and timely completion. Inform interested groups and individuals of progress.
• Oversee the collection of original field data through complex and highly technical observations and measurement.
• Independently perform quality assurance, manage and analyze the data, and present it in tabular and graphical form using advanced statistical analyses, database, spreadsheet, and geographic information system software.
• Author reports and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals describing the findings, conclusions, and policy implications.  Provide policy and monitoring recommendations.

Program Operations and Technical Assistance (Field Functions)

• Provides technical guidance to field units, Department managers, legislators, other agencies, etc., on water quality and forest management issues:
  • Provides on-the-ground consultation with field personnel in matters regarding water quality or hydrology.  Prepare technical guidance on how to implement rules in differing situations in coordination with the Forest Practices Field Coordinator.
  • Investigating proposed projects, written plans and orders with other technical specialists especially harvesting operations in the riparian zone, fish passage issues, or water quality issues.
  • Investigates major or complex natural events with other Department technical specialists.

Because the Department’s highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position may be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways.  That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters.  It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Employee must be able to frequently work outdoors, walking over very steep, rough terrain in variable weather conditions.  There is frequent out-of-town travel and working hours outside the 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. norm.  Required to drive an assigned vehicle, obeying all traffic laws.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Four years of experience in Forestry, Hydrology, Engineering, or related natural resource field.  At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level researching and analyzing natural resource data, applying pertinent laws and regulations, and recommending a course of action in a natural resource program; AND 
  
• A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Hydrology, Engineering, or related natural resource field; OR Four additional years of related forestry, hydrology, engineering or related natural resource field experience.

• A Master’s degree in Forestry, Hydrology, Engineering, or related natural resource field will substitute for one year of the required experience.

• A Doctorate degree will substitute for two years of the required experience.

NOTE: Transcripts are required to be attached to your application if you are using education or coursework to meet the minimum qualifications. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) the degree received and; 4) required courses completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, unofficial copies are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education. Transcripts must be attached to your application and WILL NOT be accepted as verification of education after the announcement has closed.
 
Desired Attributes:

Preference may be given to candidates whose application demonstrate skills, abilities and/or experience in the following:

• Experience evaluating various natural resource land management activities contribution to water quality.
• Master’s Degree in one of the Natural Resource fields listed above.
• Working knowledge of the program statutes, rules, guidelines and policies.
• Experience communicating program statutes, rules, guidelines and policies objectively, clearly, and concisely in verbal and written form.
• Self-reliant and resourceful in developing program procedures and communicating face-to-face with individuals and groups.
• Ability to work in a team setting.

This position requires the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record.  If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.

An unacceptable driving record includes:

• Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;
• Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor   license suspension within the previous 24 months;
• More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
• A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
• A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications.  If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.

Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.  Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.

If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7306.

Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application. 

Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.

Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:

• A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;
• OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran’s disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.

For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org, and select veterans’ preference.

PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.