Natural Resource Specialist - Statewide Interpretation Coordinator

Initial Posting Date: 08/18/2026 Final date to receive applications: 08/26/2026 Agency:
Forestry Department Salary Range: $6,276 - $9,644 Position Type:
Employee

Natural Resource Specialist 4 – Statewide Interpretation Coordinator

Our Mission – To protect and promote resilient forests that benefit all Oregonians.

This position requires working at the Tillamook Forest Center with a Wednesday – Sunday schedule from March – November from 8 am – 4:30 pm in the spring and fall and 9 am – 5:30 pm during the summer. An alternate schedule is available December – February.

• Work/life balance
• 11 paid holidays a year
• flexible work schedules
• competitive benefits packages and so much more

ODF is looking for a Natural Resources Specialist 4 – Statewide Interpretation Coordinator to lead Interpretation and Education (IE) for State Forests. This will consist of guiding a team of full-time IE staff in developing and delivering programs that build public awareness of ODF’s mission and the laws and policies that govern its work, particularly within the State Forest division. This position works closely with the Tillamook Forest Center Director to determine the program goals and priorities.

• Guides a team of full-time interpretive staff in developing and delivering both formal (person-to-person) and informal (signs/exhibits/brochures) interpretive services that increase public awareness of the Agency’s broader mission and the laws and policies governing its work.
• Serve as the State Forests subject matter expert on interpretation and environmental education, across topics such as agency-wide natural resource management issues (e.g. the history of catastrophic wildfires on State forests), forest ecology, and active forest management.
• Plans and administers all aspects of the Tillamook Forest Center’s volunteer program including day volunteers, site hosts, and episodic volunteers.
• Partner with an interdisciplinary team (wildlife biologists, riparian specialists, roads specialists, and marketing foresters) to ensure interpretive and education opportunities are considered within the larger planning arena for current and future forest management.
• Provide consultative feedback and technical guidance to supervisors, peers, and staff on relevant IE subjects.
• Help ensure State Forest policy work, such as the Habitat Conservation Plan and Forest Management Plan, reflects the broad set of social, economic, and environmental values embodied in the Greatest Permanent Value mandate that guides all State Forest work.

• Three years of experience in Natural Resource Communication/Interpretation.
• At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities AND A bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Communication/Interpretation or a closely related degree such as Tourism.
• OR Three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
• A master's degree in Natural Resource Communication/Interpretation will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

Note:

This position requires a criminal history background check

Note:

Driver’s License Check – This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for official State business. As part of the hiring process, the agency uses Advanced Reporting LLC to conduct all required DMV and CDL driving‑record checks. Advanced Reporting LLC will obtain and review the driving record for the top candidate to verify possession of a valid license and an acceptable driving record.

• Extensive knowledge and practice of interpretive principles, concepts, and techniques;
  Knowledge of PNW forest flora and fauna preferred.
• Ability to plan, lead, and administer established and new interpretive and educational programming for the Tillamook Forest Center and State Forests across the landscape.
• Exercises sound judgment and independent decision‑making around all aspects of program planning and execution.
• Experi…