Would you enjoy a career where you could lead statewide efforts that sustain healthy and productive forest ecosystems? The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) is seeking an innovative Silviculture Section Chief to lead our team overseeing critical forest management programs with the Bureau of Forestry. Your leadership will represent the sustainable stewardship legacy and accomplishment of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, coordinate the application of forest regeneration projects, direct the Bureau’s $20 million dollar plus annual timber sale program, foster positive relationships with our state’s forest product industry, guide and work towards continuously improving our silvicultural practices and timber program administration, seek and build collaborative networks among other state agencies and non-governmental partners to accomplish landscape-level conservation work on state forests and support silvicultural and forest products utilization-related research partnerships. Apply today to step into an influential role where your expertise directly shapes the future of Pennsylvania's forests.
This position directs statewide silviculture operations, timber program administration, and research coordination to support long-term forest sustainability. As the Silviculture Section Chief, you will perform the following duties:
- Silvicultural Management: Review timber proposals, support and perform quality control of sale administration and regeneration fund project work, and review and improve silvicultural guidance utilized by the Bureau’s field staff
- Program Oversight: Manage the business enterprise of bidding and contracting state forest timber sales, ensuring practices align with Commonwealth policies and management objectives
- Technical Leadership: Provide expertise on applied silviculture techniques and coordinate research needs to advance sustainable forest management
- Training Support: Develop and lead training for foresters, technicians, and program staff on silvicultural practices and timber sale procedures
- Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the bureau at meetings and events to communicate forest management strategies and strengthen conservation partnerships
- Program Collaboration: Coordinate Good Neighbor Authority activities with federal partners including planning, agreements, and reporting requirements
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment
- Standard 37.5 hour/week work schedule, starting between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, with a half-hour lunch.
- This position may be eligible for alternate work schedule (AWS).
- Headquarters is the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year of experience as a Natural Resource Program Specialist 2 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- Four years of professional experience in natural resource management or natural resource education; and a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.