Forestry Program Manager chez Anne Arundel County, MD

About the Department

Anne Arundel County Government is currently hiring for a full-time permanent, Safety Sensitive Forestry Program Manager position in the Office of Inspections and Permits. 

This is a new position, and the successful candidate will have an opportunity to create and manage a program that will result in preserving, retaining, and expanding forest cover and improving forest health in the county.  

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
The goal of the forestry program is to manage and assist with the implementation of forestation, reforestation, afforestation, preservation, and other conservation efforts to increase the amount of forest cover and tree canopy in the County. The Program Manager position will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, manage contractors, identify new planting locations, seek agreement from private landowners, create program materials, and track data on preservation and tree planting efforts carried out through the program.

The employee adapts standard program practices and procedures to meet situations or cases not fully covered by existing guidelines, and recommends modification of current guides. The position will manage multiple employees in the forestry group of the Department. This position will directly contribute to the advancement and identification of strategies to help with preservation and reforestation efforts of the Department and overall county forestry goals. 

Position Duties

(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications and salary level for all positions in this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential job functions of all positions in the class.)

• Exercises direction over lower-level professionals and other employees by assigning work, furnishing advice and instructions, and reviewing completed assignments.
• Manages, plans, and writes grant applications and manages grant-funded projects. 
• Work with staff to create new maps, GIS layers, materials, documents, or presentations related to the department’s other forest conservation programs and initiatives, which could include updating the County preservation, reforestation efforts, and related documents, research projects, data tracking and analysis, and assisting with the preparation of annual budget efforts. 
• Manages and coordinates efforts and shares information with county agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations, and will work closely with staff in the Department to review, revise, and implement County policies and ordinances that protect and enhance urban tree cover.
• Serve as the primary contact and manage the administration of grant programs, including managing applications, meeting with property owners to discuss tree planting locations, developing planting plans, entering program data promptly, coordinating with contractors, processing purchase orders and invoices, and conducting inspections to ensure trees are planted appropriately.
• Recommend and implement improvements to the county forestry programs based on field observations and experience.
• Respond to inquiries from people within and outside of the county, including colleagues, residents, property representatives, developers, and contractors who may have questions about planting trees within the county or relevant laws and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned, possibly including analyzing data for reporting purposes; assisting with the county’s other environmental planning efforts or work related to amending environmental laws, regulations, and technical documents; working with program partners to coordinate volunteer efforts; creating presentations; and/or presenting on the department’s programs.
• Conduct relevant research studies as requested to answer big-picture questions, improve programs, or solve issues that arise.
• Compile and provide staff reports and presentations on the department’s forest conservation and tree planting programs for the Department management and community groups as needed.
• Learn the County’s Forest Conservation Law, regulations, guidelines, and procedures, and their application to various land use decisions, including determining appropriate tree planting locations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Document workflows, processes for existing programs, including Forest conservation fee-in-lieu, critical area and stormwater management fee-in-lieu mitigation approved as a part of the development review process, and propose improvements where needed.
• Document and manage accounting procedures for annual reporting on acreage mitigated monies spent across various mitigation efforts, including preservation and reforestation programs. 
• Use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online applications to update and analyze GIS data, identify planting locations, and create public and internal maps to support the Department’s forest conservation efforts.
• Generally assist as needed with the department’s current and future forest conservation programs, which could include conducting field work, creating planting plans, meeting with property owners/managers and contractors, tracking program information, and developing content for outreach and communications.
• Knowledge of the general principles of procurement, contract management, and personnel administration, as required.
• Knowledge of Federal and/or State grant funding requirements and regulations, as required.
• Skill in leading assigned employees, providing instruction, and reviewing their work.
• Skill in explaining and defending ideas and positions, both orally and in writing, and in persuading individuals and groups to support assigned program activities or decisions.
• Ability to conduct analytical studies and make recommendations concerning the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of assigned program(s).
• Ability to deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience: Four (4) or more years of experience in a program/specialization area* directly related to the assignment of the position.

Note: Program/specialization area is defined as managing programs related to forestry, reforestation, preservation, tree planting, inspection, or evaluation programs, landscaping, forestry, natural resources management, arboriculture, or tree nursery operations.

NOTE: This position is "Safety Sensitive". This means employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) and Alcohol testing.

Note: For a University or College outside the United States, the applicant must provide documentation of accreditation and educational equivalency, which can be accomplished through a credential evaluation service. Applicants with a foreign degree must provide this documentation upon the close of the announcement. An Accredited University or College is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accrediting agencies it recognizes for schools within the United States.  

Other Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

1. Two (2) or more years of supervisory experience.
2. Experience with managing forestry programs, conservation, and preservation efforts, including working with a diverse group of stakeholders.
3. Experience with public outreach and education programs in the areas of forestry management, conservation, reforestation, and preservation. 
4. Experience using Microsoft Office software (Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint) and ARCGIS
5. Licensed Forester in the State of Maryland
6. Maryland Licensed Tree Expert, ISA certified arborist, or MD DNR Qualified Professional.
   
   
   

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