Forest Health Manager

Description & Details:

The Forest Health Manager plans, directs and coordinates Forest Health Monitoring and Management Program efforts state-wide to address North Dakota’s need for healthy native and planted forests. The Manager conducts state-wide surveys of insect and disease issues, emphasizing introduced and invasive forest pests like spongy moth and emerald ash borer. The manager provides forest managers with technical assistance in detection, identification and control of insect and disease pests. Technical transfer includes conducting training sessions on a wide range of forest health topics including insects and diseases of ND, pest management, tree health care, tree planting, and others. The position includes travel, office duties and field duties. The manager represents the State Forester on state, regional, and national committees and events concerning forest health.

Office Location:

This position has a choice of office locations at the NDFS office/lab on the NDSU campus in Fargo, or at the Walhalla, Bottineau, or Lisbon Field Office.

Work Schedule:

40 hours/week; 8 - 5 or similar with occasional evening and weekend work.

Advertised Salary: $53,808 DOE

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, entomology, plant or forest pathology or related field plus two years of directly related experience.
• Valid Driver's license.
• Competencies:
• Familiar with forest health issues - insects, diseases, biotic and abiotic.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate forest health surveys.
• Communicate concisely and professionally with various audiences.
• Engage in respectful/professional deliberation and discussion.
• Enter, organize, maintain, analyze and summarize data using apps and software including GIS.
• Able to work without direct supervision, travel, stay overnight and work in semi-remote areas.
• Build productive relationships and work cooperatively with others within and across boundaries.
• Work outdoors in all types of weather and safely traverse uneven terrain.
• Work safely.
• Develop and conduct training, presentations, workshops and other technology transfer activities.
• Able to supervise and lead.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry plus 3 years of forestry experience or Master’s degree in forestry, entomology, plant or forest pathology.
• Supervisory experience.

Applicant Materials, Please Submit:

• Resume.
• A one-page letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how you meet the qualifications.

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university – with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include: wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include: supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us:

The North Dakota Forest Service is part of North Dakota State University, and is the state agency which administers cooperative forestry programs statewide. The agency provides technical assistance relating to the management of private forest lands, state forest lands, urban and community forests, tree planting, and wildfire protection. The agency works in cooperation with rural landowners, urban residents, communities, rural fire districts, schools, and other government entities to direct and strengthen forestry services. The Forest Service also operates a tree seedling nursery and manages state forest lands.

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Diversity Statement:

NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.

Veteran’s Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.