Title:  Forest Economy Program Manager

Overview

The Forests Division within the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is recruiting a highly motivated individual to join a talented team of professionals within the Division and serve as Forest Economy Program Manager. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Program and Division staff to assess, analyze, and translate the multi-functional role that forests have in delivering economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits to our society. The Program Manager will lead efforts to strengthen, modernize, promote, and protect the forest products sector and the greater forest economy in Vermont. The Program Manager will also function as an expert within the Division regarding the economic contributions that forests provide to society as well as the net public benefit of different approaches to forest management and utilization, and lead efforts to quantify and summarize these benefits for interested stakeholders. Finally, the Program Manager will lead a team that uses statistics, data, analysis, and regular interactions with stakeholders to assess the value of public goods that forestry delivers, including wood products, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, water quality protection, recreation, and landscape value. 

Key Responsibilities:

On behalf of FPR, lead the effort to implement Vermont's Forest Futures Roadmap, an effort to chart a path forward to enhance the long-term viability of forest-based businesses and increase sustainable economic development and jobs in Vermont's forest economy;

• Serve as FPR's lead on forest economy issues and liaise with public, private and non-profit partners to use economic data to support the expansion and optimization of Vermont's forest sector
• Lead and supervise a team of at least two other forest management professionals that is working to enhance Vermont's forest products sector, including providing advice and guidance on wood products utilization and marketing; 
• Oversee the Division's work to capture, analyze, and communicate forest statistics for Vermont;
• Oversee the Division's work to promote modern wood heat in Vermont and support analysis of how wood energy contributes to Vermont's climate action plan goals and rural economies;
• Provide essential information that helps forest policy decision making
• Lead the Division's work to support the working forest economy through participation in relevant associations, industry groups, committees, liaising with other relevant State of Vermont entities, and interacting with primary manufacturers; 
• Assist the Director and Commissioner with economic and policy analysis and media requests related to the suite of forest management opportunities available in Vermont. 

Qualifications:
This position requires experience in managing programs in the forestry or renewable natural resources sector, as well as working collaboratively with a diverse group of partners to achieve shared goals. This position also requires an advanced level of knowledge of economic principles and micro/macroeconomic analysis, with an emphasis on forest sector issues. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of economic research methodologies, modeling techniques, statistical analysis, and spatial analysis. 

Strong organizational skills, interpersonal abilities, and exceptional verbal and written communication skills are essential and experience in supervision and team leadership is preferred. You should be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively and working in forested environments. Candidates must be willing to travel throughout the state. 

FPR operates in a hybrid working environment, supporting remote work as well as days in which all staff are in the office for meetings. Permission to participate in telework is applied for on an individual basis. The position's duty station is located in Montpelier, Vermont.

Who May Apply

This position, Forest Economy Program Manager (Job Requisition #48596), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact oliver.pierson@vermont.gov.
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Environmental Factors

Duties are performed primarily in an office setting, but with regular need for considerable travel to field locations which may at times include rough terrain and exposure to all types of weather conditions. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required. Some work outside of regular working hours may be required. Strong and conflicting public opinions may be encountered. Appearances before a variety of groups can be anticipated which may involve weekend or evening duty.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree in forestry, forest economics or a natural resource field AND eight years or more of experience at a professional level in forestry or a natural resources economics field.

OR

Bachelor's degree in forestry, forest economics, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field or higher AND six years or more of experience at a professional level in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, natural resources economics, or an environmental field.

OR

Master's degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, or an environmental field AND four years or more at a professional level in forestry, natural resources, biological or physical science, engineering, natural resources economics, or an environmental field.
 

Special Requirements

State of Vermont Forester License will be required within 6 months.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.