Good Neighbor Authority Program Manager

Virginia Department of Forestry; Abingdon (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Forestry is hiring a Program Manager to lead the Good Neighbor Authority agreements and Forest Disaster Recovery efforts resulting from Hurricane Helene. The role requires coordinating with federal partners, managing contracts, and overseeing field implementation across the Western region.

The position involves substantial on-site oversight, performance reporting, and compliance with the agreement terms. A valid VA driver's license and ability to travel are required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Virginia native tree species, silvics, soils and timber valuation.
• Ability to contract, solicit, and administer project work per state processes.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and communicate effectively.
• Ability to use standard forester tools to assess stands.
• Knowledge of BMPs, NEPA and permitting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional forestry advice for projects under the agreement.
• Administer and report grant deliverables.
• Develop, solicit, and manage contracts or subawards with DOF staff.
• Monitor the agreement and communicate with DOF and the USFS.
• Submit itemized invoices that meet agreement requirements.
• Collaborate on an annual operations plan with partners.
• Coordinate inspections for compliance with water quality laws.

Skills

Tree species knowledge

Contracting & procurement

Project coordination

Communication skills

Forester tools

Silvicultural BMPs

NEPA familiarity

Documentation management

Vehicle operations

Tools

Increment borer

Diameter tape

Prism

Clinometer

Job description

Title: Good Neighbor Authority Program Manager

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager I

Hiring Range: $90,000.00-$107,000.00

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: Charlottesville, Nat Resrcs Dr

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire a Program Manager to lead implementation of the Good Neighbor Authority agreements including the Forest Disaster Recovery Agreement resulting from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The Program Manager will collaborate with the staff of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, key program managers within the Virginia Department of Forestry, contractors, and other partners to leverage financial resources, expertise, and capacity to accomplish project management, planning, analysis, implementation, and assessment within the recovery area. The Program Manager duties will include significant time (at least 50%) providing onsite oversight and inspection of project proposals and implementation work, and the remaining time administering, reporting and approving in-process and completed project work. This position reports to the Chief of Operations and implements the agency's objectives under the terms of the Forest Disaster Recovery Good Neighbor Agreement and other current and future agreements of similar nature.

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Providing professional forestry advice and technical assistance for forest management projects undertaken within the agreement.
• Administering & reporting accomplishments and grant deliverables.
• Developing, soliciting, and managing contracts or subawards to accomplish project work in coordination with other DOF staff
• Monitoring of the agreement(s) while maintaining consistent communication for projects to be implemented and completed on the ground with DOF staff and U.S. Forest Service staff
• Submission & approval of itemized invoices that meets the requirements of the agreement(s)
• Collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service, other DOF staff, partners, and any sub-awardees in the development of an annual plan of operations
• Coordinating the Inspection for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law or other permit requirements on projects undertaken on Forest Service property and other lands

Location: This Program Manager will be focused on providing services in a wide geographic area consisting of SW Virginia and running the length of the Shenandoah Valley. This position is part of DOF Headquarters and will focus its work in most of the counties of the Western Region and the northwestern area of the Central Region.

The office location will be in either Charlottesville, Salem, Galax, or Abingdon.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of tree species, silvics of Virginia native tree species, forest soils, forest measurements/biometrics, timber markets and timber cruising/valuation.
• Knowledge in solicitation, contracting, facilitation and administration of project work ensuring compliance with State processes.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, coordinate, facilitate/implement multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to use standard forester's tools including increment borer, diameter tape, prism, & clinometer to cruise stands of timber.
• Knowledge related to forest harvesting systems and Virginia’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices for Water Quality, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other permitting requirements.
• Ability to monitor and maintain documentation of all project work and subaward activities along with ensuring procurement procedures align with Federal, State government, local and Tribal government law.

In addition, the Program Manager must have the ability to work independently, have excellent organizational skills, have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, local planners, partners, cooperators, and the public, have demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and have the ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software.

The Program Manager will spend some of their time working in the woods in all types of forested, rough, and muddy terrain in all weather conditions. Candidates must have the ability to negotiate different types of forested and rugged terrain on foot in all types of weather; and can travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion. Use of a variety of equipment including 4x4 pickups, Candidates must have a valid Virginia driver’s license or the ability to obtain one before starting with the agency.

Additional Considerations

Top candidates for this position should demonstrate the following qualifications in their application:

• Willingness and proven record of collaboration
• Training and/or experience with Geographic Information systems, GPS use, online mapping tools, and basic forest surveying.
• Experience overseeing federal awards.
• Experience or training in applied silviculture and forest management techniques and project management.

The Virginia Department of Forestry is an Emergency Response agency, as such, all employees may be required to provide support during emergency situations; this may include nights, weekends or holidays as the need arises.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Virginia Department of Forestry Disaster Recovery Good Neighbor Agreement with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest for a 10-year period (through August 25, 2036). The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant or non-general funds.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Estep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.