Manager, CNC Research Forest

College of New Caledonia

Virginia (MN)

On-site

USD 67,142 - 89,523

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

College of New Caledonia is seeking a Manager of the CNC Research Forest to lead all aspects of forest operations, applied forestry research, and environmental stewardship. The role collaborates with First Nations, industry partners, and college administration to advance research, education, and community engagement.

The Manager directs strategic planning, budget oversight, and project delivery while ensuring alignment with the college’s Truth & Reconciliation commitments and Indigenous

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or natural resources; Master’s degree or higher preferred.
Minimum 5 years of related experience in research administration.
Registered Professional Forester (RPF) designation would be an asset.
Experience with research proposals, grant writing, and research/facility agreements.
Experience leading research projects and managing multi-funder initiatives.
Experience in forest planning, silviculture, and forest assessment.
Experience working with First Nations and Indigenous communities.
Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee compliance with provincial forestry legislation, regulations and standards.
Direct development of Research Forest Management Plans and related practices.
Build relationships with industry, funders, First Nations, and partners.
Provide long-term strategic direction and annual operating plans for the forest.
Oversee budgeting, grant portfolios, procurement, and financial sustainability.
Enhance regional reputation through high-quality applied research and forest operations.
Communicate outputs and outcomes to stakeholders through appropriate channels.
Lead and mentor staff delivering research projects and forest operations.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or natural resources

Master’s degree or higher preferred

Job description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President Academic, the Manager of the CNC Research Forest is responsible for all aspects of the successful management and stewardship of CNC’s Research Forest, fulfilling legislative and professional requirements and cooperating with the Research Forest Society Board of Directors, College administration, First Nation partners, industry partners, and the Natural Resources & Forest Technology program. The Manager directs applied research activities in forestry and natural resources, ensures environmental stewardship of the Research Forest, and manages the Forest’s operations sustainably and financially. The Manager is accountable for achieving the goals outlined in the CNC Research Forest strategic plan, under the pillars of research, education, Indigenous partnerships, and forest ecosystem stewardship.

Nature & Scope

The Manager is accountable for all activities and operations of the CNC Research Forest, within all legislative and professional requirements.
The Manager leads all applied research activities in the areas of forestry and natural resources and works in cooperation with faculty and college administration on these activities; from developing grant applications through to project close‑out.
The Manager is responsible for the environmental stewardship of the CNC Research Forest, and for the effective and sustainable financial management of the Forest and its operations.
The Manager ensures that the activities of the CNC Research Forest provide opportunities and support for the students of the College’s Natural Resources & Forest Technology program.
The Manager is committed to the College’s goals of Truth & Reconciliation, collaborating and creating opportunities for partnerships with First Nations and maintaining good relationships with Indigenous communities in the region of the CNC Research Forest.
As the primary College resource to the CNC Research Forest Society Board of Directors, this role ensures that the goals of the CNC Research Forest strategic plan are actively being achieved and communicates effectively with the Board on the activities and operations of the Forest.
You will be part of a team actively engaged in contributing to and accomplishing the vision, mission, and goals of the College and in supporting the aspirations and needs of our learners.
You will promote a positive work atmosphere by interacting and communicating in a professional manner that demonstrates mutual respect with students and colleagues.

Specific Duties

Ensure the forest tenure holder responsibilities are met concerning the compliance of CNC Research Forest operations with all relevant provincial forestry legislation, regulations, and standards.
Apply forestry expertise and professional oversight to the development of Research Forest Management Plans, timber appraisals, and forestry practices that support operations and applied research projects within and beyond the Research Forest.
Develop and maintain excellent relationships with industry, business, funders, employers, First Nations, community groups, College colleagues, provincial and federal contacts.
Lead the long‑term strategic direction of the CNC Research Forest, including development of strategic priorities, annual operating plans, performance measures, risk mitigation strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsible to the College and to the CNC Research Forest Society regarding ongoing Research Forest activities, performance, and progress toward strategic goals.
Responsible for financial oversight, including annual budgeting, grant portfolio management, procurement authority, etc. Scope industry, academia, technological developments, and markets to proactively identify applied research needs, capital investment, and training to address new requirements and issues.
Enhance CNC’s regional reputation by delivering high‑quality applied research and Research Forest operations that meet partner needs and enrich student learning.
Ensure the outputs and outcomes of applied research projects are communicated through the appropriate venues.
Build and maintain strategic alliances with other research forests, community forests, and academic organizations.
Encourage, support and foster Indigenous relationships throughout the college region to ensure CNC Research Forest operations and applied research projects incorporate indigenous knowledge and insight while addressing innovation challenges important to local First Nations.
Ensure communication and consultation with natural resource partners, First Nations, external partners/collaborators, provincial government agencies and internal CNC departments in the planning and execution of applied research and Research Forest operations.
Provide leadership and oversight to ensure each research project meets its objectives and is compliant with the requirements of the external funder.
Develop and implement the necessary research, service, confidentiality, and privacy agreements to effectively protect the interests of CNC and its partners.
Coordinate with other natural resources professionals for the assessment, planning and implementation of various natural resource operations within and beyond the Research Forest.
Recruit, train, supervise, and support the development of staff who are responsible for the delivery and administration of CNC applied research projects and Research Forest operations. Encourage a climate of employee excellence, responsibility and accountability by facilitating professional development activities, monitoring employee performance, ensuring project outcomes are met, and recognizing contributions and achievements.
Facilitate the employment and training of NRFT students and other CNC students to undertake natural resources and forestry projects for improved experiential and work‑integrated learning.
Identify, assess and mitigate operational, financial, environmental and reputational risks associated with Research Forest operations and applied research activities.
Lead the development of safe working protocols for employees engaged in remote, forested worksites, and ensure the continuous improvement of employee health and wellness.
Engage in extensive fieldwork, that may include remote travel, adverse weather, occasional evenings/weeksends, and physically demanding environments.
In coordination with the faculty and Dean or Associate Dean, provide support for the NRFT program to improve student education and experiential learning.
Support CNC’s strategic direction by collaborating with College leadership to advance the Academic Plan and Indigenous Education Plan.
Represent the College and the Research Forest at provincial, national and international forums, conferences, industry associations, and funding agencies, and participate on various College and industry/community committees as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or another related field. Master’s degree or higher in forestry, natural resources, or another related field is preferred.
Minimum 5 years of related experience in research administration; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Registered Professional Forester (RPF) designation in good standing with Forest Professionals British Columbia would be an asset.
Demonstrated experience with research proposals, grant writing, research and confidentiality agreements, and federal and provincial research grants, with proven success in obtaining funding through such grants and agreements.
Demonstrated experience in undertaking research, including developing scientific methods to test hypotheses, analyzing results, and deriving defendable findings and conclusions, with demonstrated success in producing publishable or otherwise communicable outputs and outcomes from that research.
Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and administer research projects supported by various funding sources.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects of a research group to successful outcomes.
Extensive forest planning, harvesting silviculture, and forest assessment experience.
Understanding of BC forest inventory, allowable annual cuts, timber supply analysis, and tracking harvest volume.
Demonstrated commitment to a high professional standard of ethics and integrity.
Proven experience in preparing and managing budgets and responsibility for sustainable, full cost‑recovery operations.
Demonstrated performance in developing plans, and tracking and reporting on key deliverables.
Demonstrated success in contract negotiation, management, and implementation related to forest activities and research agreements.
Demonstrated experience working in partnership with First Nations and Indigenous communities.
Strong oral and written communication skills and proven ability to develop and deliver on effective communication plans.
Excellent, proven administrative and organisational skills, and an ability to network and influence decision‑makers and partners to achieve goals.
Proven analytical and sound decision‑making skills, and demonstrated operational leadership abilities.
Experience working and supervising within a collaborative union environment.