CHIEF BUREAU OF FOREST MANAGEMENT

Definition

Under the administrative direction of the Director, Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, is responsible for the management, planning, and preservation of the forest lands of New Jersey (private and public); administers programs of forest protection, forest land management, timber products utilization, and reforestation to ensure the continuous production of goods and services; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Develops and administers the cooperative forest management program to woodland owners in the management of their timberlands, and wood-using industries and special forest product producers in marketing of timber and timber products, including wood residues.
• Directs and oversees the preparation, implementation, and revision of forest management plans on State forests, parks, and other public lands administered by the Department.
• Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Plans, develops, organizes, and directs surveillance programs of State and privately-owned woodlands.
• Plans and directs a forestry research program for New Jersey; coordinates Departmental interests with those of the U.S. Forest Service, the educational community, the Pinelands Commission, and other research interests.
• Establishes cooperative working relationships with allied State and Federal Conservation agencies, public organizations, and associations.
• Develops guidelines and materials to reflect the Bureau's policy on forestry activities related to intradivisional environmental regulations affecting the management of forest resources.
• Directs and plans reforestation programs for the State, including the State Forest Tree Nursery.
• Directs and oversees a program of silvicultural research meeting the requirements of the Water Quality Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-500),and makes results of scientific information available to cooperating State and Federal agencies.
• Acts as Bureau representative to the New Jersey Forestry Association, and the Forest Industries Council; coordinates and/or directs forestry-related education and awareness programs through teachers' workshops, landowners' tours, and the distribution of educational materials and publications.
• Supervises programs of assistance to the State's wood-using industries providing technical assistance to increase economic stability and environmental quality of the processing and manufacturing industries.
• Provides advisory service, and directs a program of assistance to municipalities in drafting ordinances regulating tree cutting and revegetation of borrow-pits and other open areas, and advises environmental commissions on technical forest management programs.
• Directs the preparation of work programs, financial plans, and the application and reimbursement for federal grants and cost-sharing programs concerning forest management.
• Directs urban and community forestry programs providing technical assistance to municipalities, park commissions, shade tree committees, arborists, campground owners, and others engaged in the management of urban trees.
• Directs the inventory, financial plans, program development, and implementation required by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resource Act of 1974 (PRA). Coordinates with Federal programs and represents the U.S. Forest Service to ensure compliance with national guidelines and meeting national goals.
• Directs the preparation and implementation of environmental impact statements and contractual services where required by Bureau programs.
• Directs the completion of timber sale prospectus, contracts, and amendments, provides administrative review in the timber sales process, and develops sale remittance considerations.
• Establishes procedures and coordinates a system of continuous accountability check of operating accounts to ensure the expenditure of funds in various programs is consistent with operational requirements and the established State and Federal guidelines.
• Analyzes operating costs of Bureau facilities and programs and institutes or recommends necessary changes to ensure efficient operation.
• Directs the purchase and repair of equipment and supplies for use by the Bureau.
• Reviews, investigates, and submits comments and recommendations relative to legislation that affects forestry; recommends or institutes any necessary policy changes relative to Bureau activities.
• Directs in-service training programs and professional development of technical staff, and coordinates training needs with Department Training Coordinator concerning all training programs for the Bureau.
• Assists the Board of Tree Experts in coordinating and monitoring annual examinations for certification of New Jersey arborists.
• Supervises, develops, and presents lectures and talks before lay and professional groups on all aspects of forest management in New Jersey.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative correspondence, and statistical, financial, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of the Bureau of Forest Management budget.
• Directs the administration of Bureau library, periodical list, card files, and forest land type maps.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Urban Forest Management, Silviculture, Forest Biometrics, or other closely related Forestry curriculum.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in silvicultural, forest management, and reforestation work; two (2) years of which shall have been in a program management and/or supervisory capacity relative to a forest management program or operation.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques and the application thereof in the evaluation of Bureau Programs.
• Knowledge of the procedures, methods, and techniques of modern forest management and reforestation.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and analyze the laws and forest history of New Jersey relating to forest management and reforestation programs including the knowledge of forest types, physiographic regions, and soil types.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Environmental Protection, relating to forestry and the conservation of forests and their application to specific cases.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret current and pending legislation affecting and/or impacting on Bureau operations.
• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of insect and disease detection and control programs for forest land in New Jersey.
• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of federal cooperative forestry programs and applicable sources of funding.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the general public, woodland owners, governmental agencies, and other parties interested in the work of the unit.
• Ability to coordinate assignments of staff and direct personnel, provide suitable direction and instruction for subordinates, and to direct the performance of effective work methods.
• Ability to direct the establishment of an assistance program for woodland owners.
• Ability to plan, promote and successfully carry out reforestation projects throughout the State.
• Ability to direct, research, survey, and design programs related to the management of prescribed burning for silvicultural purposes.
• Ability to prepare technical correspondence and direct the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, informative reports and planning documents containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of the essential records and files.
• Ability to learn and utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, officer or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

A Master's degree in Forestry may be substituted for one (1) year of non-supervisory experience.