Program Specialist 2 - Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager

State of Montana • Missoula, MT

17h

About The Position

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. The DNRC believes employees are their most important asset. The DNRC empowers employees to exercise professional judgment in carrying out their duties. Employees are provided with the training and tools necessary to achieve the mission. Both team effort and individual employee expertise are supported and sustained. Core Values: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry and Trust Land Division recognizes that building a collaborative, professional, and inclusive work environment is critical to fulfilling our mission of managing, protecting, and promoting stewardship of Montana’s forests and lands for the benefit of current and future generations and our trust beneficiaries. We hold ourselves to these high standards as we are accountable to the people of Montana. We value and respect each other. We create collaborative work environments. We build and maintain strong relationships. We practice accountability. We celebrate our successes and take pride in our work Work Unit Overview: The Forestry Assistance Bureau is part of the Forestry and Trust Lands Division (FTLD) of DNRC. There are seven inter-related programs within Forestry Assistance that are delivered across the state. Bureau staff in Missoula lead, support, and build capacity to enable program delivery by the Land Offices, Unit Offices, Service Foresters and other personnel committed to the mission of the program. This framework facilitates program delivery that is aligned with state level strategies and priorities but customized for the unique conditions in each of the field areas. The seven programs are: Nursery Program - provides plants for conservation projects throughout the state of Montana. Conservation plantings perpetuate forested landscapes and maintain or enhance ecological function in urban settings, and wildland areas. Currently the nursery produces containerized seedlings, and eco-regional native seed. The Nursery has fields covering 80 acres, five greenhouses and the capacity to grow one million seedlings annually. Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) - Program brings awareness and focus to Montana’s urban and community forests. The UCF Program reaches over half of Montana’s population every year with services to approximately 75 communities in the form of grants for planting and maintenance, technical expertise, and education. Stewardship Program - supports private and community forest owners actively and sustainably managing their forests. Each year grant dollars are directed to treat approximately 2,000 acres to reduce wildfire risk near communities. Nearly 1,000 landowners receive technical and educational assistance for their forest ownership goals and objectives annually. Forest Pest Management Program - assists non-federal landowners and resource managers in preventing, identifying, and managing forest insects and diseases. The program offers training for a diversity of audiences, financial assistance for forest treatments, and annual summaries of insect and disease conditions across the state. Forest Products Program - provides technical assistance to support forest product businesses, large-scale forest biomass energy applications, market developments, and innovations. The program engages the design-build sector to promote wood construction and Montana wood products and supports the state’s industry retention efforts. Local Government Assistance Program - provides grant funding, training, information, and technical support for counties, cities, and affiliated groups to strengthen their participation with federal forest land management. Since its inception in 2015, the program has helped local government significantly improve their engagement with federal forestry projects. Forest Practices Program - provides education and guidance on timber harvest and other forest operations through the Forestry Best Management Practices Program (BMP) and through regulatory measures, specifically the Hazard Reduction Program for slash and the Streamside Management Program for protecting Montana’s water quality. Over the last 20 years, the Forest Practices Program, together with the forest products industry and partners, have achieved greater than 90% compliance with BMP’s and nearly 100% compliance with slash management and stream protection laws. Job Overview: The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program Manager leads the planning and implementation of Montana’s UCF Program. This position drives statewide efforts to help communities manage and enhance their urban forest resources through financial assistance, technical guidance, training, and strategic partnerships. As Montana’s lead for implementing the USDA Forest Service’s UCF grant program within state, tribal, and private forestry, the Program Manager ensures program alignment with the goals and priorities of the Montana Forest Action Plan. The Montana Forest Action Plan guides UCF planning and investment across the state. The Program Manager provides direction and support to DNRC Service Foresters and other field staff on the implementation of the UCF Program. The Program Manager oversees the programs’ budget, grants, resources, and directly supervises two UCF Service Foresters and a Grant Management Specialist. The role also closely coordinates with division-level grant support staff to deliver community forestry grants efficiently and effectively. Importantly, the Program Manager will oversee the successful implementation of the UCF portion of the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant totaling over $9 million. Working collaboratively with DNRC leadership and partners, the Program Manager assesses statewide needs, develops strategic initiatives, and implements new programs, policies, and technologies to strengthen urban and community forestry in Montana. This includes managing contracts, monitoring project progress, resolving compliance issues, and providing technical consultation to communities and partners. Building and maintaining strong relationships is essential. The Program Manager engages with community leaders, business and industry partners, tribes, nonprofits, and other federal and state resource agencies to advance community forestry initiatives. The position also represents the DNRC to the public and stakeholders by gathering input, communicating forest management strategies, and explaining agency policies and priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in arboriculture, forestry or natural resources required plus a minimum of 3 years managing 2 people or more in a professional or business setting.
• Must be willing and able to be a certified arborist or attain the certification within 1 year.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.
• A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
• In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".

Responsibilities

• Program Management and Implementation: The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program Manager leads statewide planning and implementation of Montana’s UCF Program. The position supports community forest management through strategic programming technical assistance, and financial support. It delivers the Urban and Community Forestry program across state guided by the Montana Forest Action Plan and Forestry Assistance Strategic Plan.
• Technical Assistance Partner and Community Outreach: The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program Manager serves as DNRC’s subject matter expert for urban and community forestry, providing technical, educational, and professional support to staff, partners, and communities statewide. The position promotes effective management of Montana’s urban and community forests by delivering guidance, resources and training to DNRC staff, tribes, municipalities, and forestry professionals. The Program Manager also strengthens partnerships with tribal nations and organizations such as the Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA), volunteer groups, and educational institutions to advance public awareness and capacity in urban forest management.
• Program Administration: The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program Manager administers all program resources to ensure effective operations, efficient use of staff and funding, fiscal accountability, and compliance with state and federal requirements. This leadership ensures the continued success of Montana’s UCF initiatives and alignment with USDA Forest Service State Private and Tribal grant agreements.
• Supervision: The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program Manager provides direct supervision and leadership to two UCF Service Foresters and a Grant Management Specialist and oversees contracted temporary staff as needed. The Program Manager also provides project and program oversight for DNRC field staff contributing to UCF initiatives. This includes recruitment, training and performance management in accordance with DNRC and State of Montana personnel policies and employment law.

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
• A vibrant Employee Assistance Program
• State of Montana employment may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Look here to learn more and understand whether or not you may qualify.
• Additional benefit package information is available here .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager