Senior Forestry and Fire Protection Planning Manager

Who You Are

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented
, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation
.

Dudek is seeking a Senior Forestry and Fire Protection Planning Manager to support the growth of our natural resources team in the Pacific Northwest. The successful candidate will possess a well-established network within the region and contribute to the development and diversity of our natural resource services. The candidate will build client relationships while also ensuring high-quality work products and regulatory compliance.

This seller/doer position requires a minimum of twelve years’ experience in arboriculture, urban forestry, fuels planning, wildfire mitigation, and/or hazard tree and vegetation risk assessment within the Pacific Northwest. Proven ability to independently conduct tree assessments, prepare comprehensive reports, engage effectively with clients, and manage complex projects within multi-disciplinary teams is essential. Additional responsibilities include pursuing and securing business opportunities through networking, marketing, and client referrals.

Based in Dudek’s Seattle or Portland office, this role involves regular travel throughout the region for project-related assignments. Responsibilities include leading or contributing to public and private sector projects, including those for utilities, land managers, and local governments. Previous agency, consulting, or utility operations experience is highly valued.

• Builds strong relationships with clients, including key decision makers and agency representatives working to proactively identify and pursue new business prospects.
• Coordinates and facilitates client, partner, and regulatory agency meetings where Dudek work products are presented and reviewed.
• Cross-sells other disciplines within the company and actively seeks opportunities for collaboration.
• Leads proposals for projects of varying complexity, scopes of work, budgets, and bids for new projects.
• Actively engages in the professional community, including attending and speaking at industry conferences and training sessions.
• Draft chapters for urban forest management plans, encompassing best practices, municipal budgeting, work performance metrics, tree inventory sustainability assessments, canopy cover study applications, community engagement strategies, as well as ordinances and policies.
• Oversees projects from initiation through completion, ensuring timely execution and optimal efficiency.
• Conducts thorough individual tree evaluations and risk assessments; utilizes tablets, field computers, and GPS units for data collection in the field.
• Produces arborist and technical reports on tree and urban forest management, including written recommendations for tree management.
• Offers expert consultation and guidance to clients regarding tree care, preservation, and management strategies.
• Performs individual tree evaluations and risk assessments with precision.
• Presents research findings to decision makers, project teams, and industry groups.
• Remains current with advancements in industry methods, techniques, and best practices.
• Leads or supports the development of Silvicultural Analyses, Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Fuels Assessments, or Vegetation Management Plans, according to expertise.
• Utilizes FVS, Flam Map, or similar vegetation/fire behavior modeling tools to inform treatment planning and prioritize risk assessments.
• Conducts or supervises hazard tree identification, post-fire risk evaluations, or vegetation risk reduction efforts across utility corridors, roadways, or public lands.
• Authors or contributes to wildfire and forestry sections for NEPA documentation, as part of multidisciplinary project teams.

• A bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field.
• 12 years’ experience in arboriculture, urban forestry, fuels planning, wildfire mitigation, and/or hazard tree…