Director - Nebraska Forest Service

Director of the Nebraska Forest Service and State Forester Overview

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln invites applications for a visionary, collaborative and dynamic leader to serve as the Director of the Nebraska Forest Service and State Forester. The Director will lead a premier, 21st‑century conservation agency embedded within a world‑class land‑grant university. The role bridges cutting‑edge research, extension education, and statewide operational impact, requiring strategic leadership to champion forest health, pioneer climate‑resilient landscapes and protect communities from wildland fire threats across a diverse geography.

• Wildland Fire Protection:
  Partnering with rural fire districts to provide training, equipment and fire suppression strategies.
• Community Forestry & Sustainable Landscapes:
  Partnering with communities to elevate urban canopy through training, funding and outreach; overseeing Plant Nebraska – formerly the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, a member‑based nonprofit organization.
• Rural Forestry:
  Assisting private landowners with forest management, wildfire mitigation, agroforestry and wood product utilization.
• Forest Health:
  Diagnosing and mitigating threats to forest health.

• Administrative Leadership:
  Provide strategic direction, operational management and financial stewardship for the agency’s personnel, facilities and diverse funding portfolio.
• Partnership & Advocacy:
  Cultivate deep, trusted relationships with the U.S. Forest Service, Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF), the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), state legislators, commodity groups and private landowners.
• University Integration:
  Align NFS goals with the broader research, teaching and Extension missions of IANR and the School of Natural Resources.
• Public Voice:
  Serve as the primary advocate and public face of the Nebraska Forest Service.

• A degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Fire Science, Public Administration, Environmental Sciences or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated administrative experience within a forestry, natural resources or public agency.
• A proven track record of managing and operationalizing substantial budgets, including grants and cooperative agreements.
• A proven track record of leadership experience managing people, resources and complex projects across multiple programs or divisions.
• Demonstrated experience advocating for agency priorities, funding or policy support.

• A Master’s degree in forestry.
• A Ph.D. in forestry, fisheries and/or wildlife or a closely related field.
• Proven experience working in forestry, wildland fire or forestry‑related professions.
• Proven leadership in a public service agency, including transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Demonstrated excellence in communicating with internal and external audiences.
• Experience setting and carrying out strategic direction for an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead employees in a way that supports and encourages professional growth and career advancement.
• Demonstrated success securing external funding and developing strategic partnerships to advance organizational priorities, expand capacity and support long‑term sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets and distribute resources to accomplish strategic goals.
• Experience leading organizations through crisis situations, emergency response or complex operational challenges.
• Demonstrated understanding of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards, Incident Command System (ICS) principles and interagency wildland fire management practices.
• Experience working in an academic institution.

Lincoln, NE

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or political affiliation in its programs, activities or employment. See (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..