Position Description:  

Great Basin Institute (GBI), founded at the University of Nevada, Reno, is a mission-driven non-profit organization headquartered in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Institute advances ecological literacy, professional development, and environmental resource management through educational outreach and direct service programs.

GBI’s Forestry Stewardship Contracting (FSC) program seeks a Program Manager (PM) to support a remote largely field-based team of coordinator roles and the overarching stewardship operations.  With the direction and mentorship of GBI’s Forestry Programs Director, this FSC PM role will guide and support numerous field personnel across California and Nevada. Crucial roles of this position include oversight and monitoring of dozens of active federal and non-federal agreements and contracts, and those subcontracted relationships (emphasis on scope, schedule and budget).  Communicating with FSC coordinators, agency partners, logging and forest industry professionals, and cooperatively upholding GBI policies, standards and procedures are key duties. This position regularly supports and enables the work of six (6) or more remote/autonomously operating FSC Coordinators and is responsible for hiring/backfilling, performance management and mentorship in cooperation with the Forestry Programs Director, and US Forest Service Partners.

This critical program manager position requires a collaborative team player to engage and support a growing Forest Stewardship Contracting program. The PM will deliver quality assurance with current/existing projects, while exploring options to further strengthen and develop new partnerships and stewardship opportunities.  USFS Forests currently in the FSC repertoire include the Sequoia, Eldorado, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and Mendocino, among others.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Regularly communicate FSC program details, implementation timelines, and project updates to GBI administrative staff, Director of Forestry Programs and GBI Leadership;
• Administrative functions as supervisor of FSC Coordinators and Senior Coordinators.  (ie LMA: lead, manage and hold accountable);
  • team of 6 forestry stewardship coordinators
• Strategic partnership development/cultivation (with FS and state agencies, grantors).  This includes contributing as subject matter expert to GBI Forestry grant opportunities in collaboration with other GBI programs;
• Contract oversight review; industry and RPF engagement with subcontractors:
  • Requests for Bids/Proposals: Assist with the development and evaluation of project proposals
  • Scope: Ensure projects align with Forest-wide (and often multi-party) objectives and ongoing implementation activities
  • Schedule: Coordinate, provide oversight for, and collaboratively maintain project implementation schedules
  • Budget: Maintain, manage, and as needed, direct project budgets with Coordinators
• Organize and coordinate regular forest-wide meetings with FS, GBI, and relevant contractors to maintain project implementation timelines and associated cash flows consistent with budgets.

LOCATION

While a hybrid remote/in-person work schedule out of GBI’s offices in Reno, NV is available, the potential for fully remote status anywhere in or near the northern or central Sierra Nevada will be considered for the right candidate.  Please bring your unique needs or ideal scenario to the interview for discussion.

Based at GBI offices in Reno, NV The “Biggest Little City in the World” the greater Reno-Sparks metropolitan area has a population of over 435,000. The city is a high desert landscape ~4,500 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains along the Truckee River, as it flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Weather is mild, but with distinct four seasons. Reno offers easy access to world-class outdoor recreation including driving distance to Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks, the Pacific Ocean, and California redwood forests. Closer to home, Nevada offers more natural hot springs than any other state in the country, over 150 named mountain ranges, and 30 peaks over 11,000 feet. Recreation and entertainment includes eight major ski resorts in proximity to the Reno-Tahoe airport; fishing and boating on Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake; cultural festivals throughout the summer along the banks of the Truckee River; a thriving food scene and more.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Due to the billable nature of the role, hourly compensation is required. Starting hourly rate is $33/hr to $38/hr DOE. In addition to a competitive hourly rate, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.  Mental health support resources are employer provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is equivalent to $78k - $87k per year, DOE.  This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts for advancing environmental research, education, and conservation.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references to the application portal.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact ssveiven@gbinstitute.org. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the position is often sedentary and office-based, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. During field visits, there is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes, along with potentially long hours working outside walking over uneven terrain to inspect project sites 

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential job function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Great Basin Institute invites any applicant who feels their combined experience and education align with the advertised role to apply. Applicants who meet 75% of the criteria identified within the "Required" section are strongly encouraged to apply.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with forestry initiatives within or alongside public/private land management agencies, members of the public, and/or non-profit organizations;
• Minimum of five (5) years of landscape scale project or program development experience;
• Substantive experience and knowledge of current forestry practices and methods, including project layout, timber cruise, stand exams, harvest inspection and project monitoring;
• Proven skills in business and financial management; strong collaborative management, delegation and leadership skills and speaking/presentation abilities;
• Effective problem solving skills and ability to share skills and knowledge with others;
• Degree in natural resource or forest management or related discipline;
• Proven track record of taking initiative and working independently without direct supervision;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license, an insurable record, and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
• Meet requirements of federal agency security background checks (e.g., FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry, Department of Interior Security Screening);
• Willingness and ability to travel on average one to two weeks per month during peak operating field season.  Travel will taper to less frequency (less than once per month) in the non-fieldwork season.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced Degree in Silviculture with a research focus on western US forests;
• Current status as a Registered Professional Forester in the State of California;
• Five (5) years’ experience managing multiple forest stewardship projects and personnel in Region 4, 5 & 6 of the US Forest Service;
• Relevant or related field experience – deep knowledge of and/or experience in Sierra Forest types, and/or high desert Great Basin ecology;
• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of GBI;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately;
• High level of organization and attention to detail with demonstrated field and leadership skills;
• Demonstrated experience in areas such as grant writing and management, project development, training, team building, and problem solving;
• Familiarity with regional forest community-based agencies, services and resources