Rural and Community Forestry Division Chief; Natural Resource Program Manager

Position: Rural and Community Forestry Division Chief (Natural Resource Program Manager)

THE POSITION
As a Rural and Community Forestry Division Chief with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will lead major programs that support forest health and community landscapes. This position gives you the chance to work with partners, manage funding, and support critical restoration efforts. You will help expand tree canopies, improve watersheds, and guide private forest stewardship. This role offers a rewarding path for someone who wants to make a lasting impression in conservation.

THE POSITION
As a Rural and Community Forestry Division Chief with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will lead major programs that support forest health and community landscapes. This position gives you the chance to work with partners, manage funding, and support critical restoration efforts. You will help expand tree canopies, improve watersheds, and guide private forest stewardship.

This role offers a rewarding path for someone who wants to make a lasting impression in conservation.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position oversees key forestry programs that support private forest stewardship, watershed restoration, tree canopy growth, and habitat improvements across Pennsylvania. It leads funding efforts, manages contracts, coordinates with partners, and provides guidance to public and government officials. As a Rural and Community Forestry Division Chief, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Oversight:
  Guide Woodland Stewardship, Watershed Forestry, and Community Forestry program activities
• Funding Management:
  Secure funding, manage grants, and oversee accounts that support program implementation
• Contract Administration:
  Manage partnership contracts and ensure successful completion of program goals
• Budget Coordination:
  Prepare budgets and monitor expenditures to support Division operations
• Public Engagement:
  Meet with officials and stakeholders to address questions about private and community forests
• Interdepartmental Work:
  Collaborate with other offices and divisions to coordinate forestry initiatives

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position may be eligible for alternate work schedule (AWS)
• 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
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• One year of experience as a Natural Resource Program Supervisor ( Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration ); or
• Five years of professional experience in natural resource management or outdoor recreation management, which includes one year of professional supervisory experience and a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, parks and recreation, education, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related natural resources major; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional supervisory experience in natural resource management or outdoor recreation management.

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.

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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). 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,…