Director of Forest Protection (Management & Executives)

Full Time

  Oregon Forest & Industries Council

  Salem, Oregon, United States

The Director of Forest Protection will represent OFIC and its member companies to state agencies, boards and commissions, and state legislators on public policy and legislation affecting all manner of forest protection and health issues, including those related to the Oregon Forest Practices Act, the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Pesticides Program administered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and similar regulatory programs. The Director of Forest Protection will work in close liaison with Oregon’s 12 Forest Protection Associations supporting the state’s complete and coordinated wildfire prevention and suppression program. The successful candidate will be a good team player able to take input from association members, other staff members, and affiliated interests to identify and implement successful policy strategies. Applicants should have a combination of education and work experience in forest protection issues that demonstrates the experience and skills to perform the duties of this position.

This position is based out of Salem, Oregon.

Anticipated start date: November 1, 2017

Specific Responsibilities

  • Serve as a liaison for OFIC by developing professional working relationships with key department staff at the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Office of the State Fire Marshall, Oregon State Police, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, among others.
  • Engage with critical partners including the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Pacific Northwest Coordinating Group, the federal PNW Fire Operations Coordinator, the Emergency Fire Cost Committee, the USDA-Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Oregon Invasive Species Council, and the Smoke Management Advisory Committee, among others.
  • Track and publish industrial landowner land closures.
  • Provide administrative support for OFIC internal policy committees, including the Forest Protection Committee, the OFIC Animal Damage Committee, and any associated standing or ad-hoc subcommittees that may arise.
  • Identify developing issues and challenges facing the forest industry on all manner of protection issues ( ex: wildfire funding mechanisms, public-private interface risk issues, fire liability, forestland classification, wildlife damage, forest health - insects, diseases and invasive species, forestland security, hunter/public access, trapping, prescribed burning, smoke management, pesticide use and impacts on wildlife health ) and work to develop both long and short-term strategies and tactics to address situations.
  • Engage the landowner community in all manner of policy arenas to successfully communicate protection issues in public forums.
  • Analyze the effects of potential legislation, state agency budgets and administrative rules on OFIC members, and work with staff to develop credible positions protecting OFIC member interests.
  • Cultivate “trusted leader” relationships with partner organizations like the Oregon Small Woodlands Association,

Oregonians for Food and Shelter, Associated Oregon Loggers, Keep Oregon Green Association, Oregon Hunters Association, and Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, among others.

  • Establish and maintain a rapport with OFIC members. Communicate regularly with staff and members, and respond to individual member inquiries and requests, particularly on large fire activity, resource needs, drawdowns, etc.
  • Write clear and content-rich testimony and other public comment documents.
  • Write monthly OFIC Protection Newsletters.
  • Collaborate on OFIC research investments in protection issues.
  • Maintain current rosters, spreadsheets and related data gathered from multiple sources.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Required education:

  • Bachelor's

Required license or certification:

  • Pesticide Applicator

Compensation

The starting salary will be industry-competitive, and commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits include family medical, vision and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, retirement plan, paid holidays,
vacation and sick leave.