Natural Resource Specialist 3 - FFR Environmental Planning Coordinator

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Welcome to the Oregon Department of Forestry Our Mission – To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians. This position is Hybrid Remote Work. The duties of this position are performed remotely at district locations, as well as our central office in Salem. In addition, the ability to report to Salem and district locations is required when business or operational needs are dependent on onsite activities. The Benefits of Joining Our Team Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, competitive benefits packages and so much more. Great Benefits Package - watch this video here You’ll be part of the ODF team that serves our fellow Oregonians relying on regulation and protection of both public and private forest land in our great state of Oregon! Click here. What we are looking for: As the Federal Forests Restoration (FFR) Environmental Planning Coordinator you will manage the entire FFR Program National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning project portfolio, utilizing all available fund sources and resources, to materially increase the scope and scale of planned restoration work available for implementation on federal lands. This position will expand on existing successful projects including the eight contract NEPA Categorical Exclusion (CE) projects that have led to signed Decisions authorizing over 30,000 acres of restoration treatments. The restoration planning component of the FFR Program’s work is continuing to grow, and the FFR Environmental Planning Coordinator will take on the highly complex work of working directly with U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Interdisciplinary Teams in their efforts to produce Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA) or Categorical Exclusions (CE) across the state.

Requirements

Three years of experience in forest resources policy including NEPA development.
At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities AND A bachelor's degree in natural resources or a closely related field, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
A master's degree in natural resources or a closely related field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
Note: Driver’s License Check - This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three-year court/DMV printout. If you have an Oregon driver’s license, a record check will be conducted on the top candidate to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work independently with limited supervision on special projects.
Ability to communicate technical data and concepts orally and in writing; ability to work effectively with other Department staff and professionals with federal agencies.
Ability to write clearly and effectively communicate orally with co-workers, ODF Executives, and policymakers.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with external cooperators, field managers, and department personnel subject to program audits in order to effectively implement change.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software to communicate information and technical data.
Ability to make decisions related to project and contract management involving project budgets, timelines, deliverables, and performance.

Responsibilities

Work with federal agency specialists and decision makers to identify how ODF can support all stages of the environmental review process including: analysis, scoping, action alternative development, public comment, objection resolution, and decision development.
Serve as the primary contact for agreement development and subject matter expert for the NEPA planning needs of federal agencies in Oregon.
Provide leadership and technical support to FFR Program staff working on NEPA projects and implementing NEPA-cleared projects.
Work as the project leader and/or as an integrated interdisciplinary team member on complex NEPA projects and will oversee complex NEPA analysis performed by third party contractors.
Serve as the lead on several projects at one time.
Work with FFR Unit Foresters/Coordinators to achieve FFR Program biennial goals and targets, specifically number and acreage of contract NEPA CE projects as well as acres of NEPA planning resource surveys.