Position Function:
This position will provide leadership and management responsibilities for the research, teaching, demonstration, and recreation of all university forestland.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
October 2023.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Manage the office overseeing all forest properties of the Forest & Wildlife Research Center (FWRC), the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and Mississippi State University Foundation (MSUF), ensuring compliance with all University, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
2. Develop forest management plans for university forestlands. Coordinate activities to meet planned objectives as outlined for each property and to ensure compliance with environmental requirements, best management practices, and forestland certification programs.
3. Maintain forest inventory of type, amount, and location of standing timber to support management decisions and appraise worth of timber to ensure the sustainability of university forestlands.
4. Implement timber sales including marking of stands and timber, preparation of sale documents, coordination of bid procedure, execution of sale purchase, and oversight of timber harvest.
5. Plan and implement prescribed burning and projects for the control of floods, soil erosion, tree diseases, forests pests, and invasive species. Coordinate maintenance of property boundary lines, signage, gates, locks, and roads.
6. Maintain and implement the Geospatial Database system as a tool for record-keeping, mapping, management, and information dispersal to user groups.
7. Oversee the activities of external and/or internal contract personnel. Monitor and inspect work to ensure adherence to contract specifications and industry standards.
8. Supervise assigned personnel, which includes work allocation, safety, training, and problem resolution. Evaluate performance and make recommendations for personnel actions. This is a combination of being active on the ground managing forest, and leading and managing assigned staff to do the same.
9. Respond to emergencies and off-standard situations, such as wildfire and other possible situations related to forestlands.
10. Manage recreational activities on forestlands. Oversee the issuance of hunting/trapping and special use permits and the maintenance of Dorman Lake Lodge and the John W. Starr Memorial Forest RV Park.
11. Consult and interact with the FWRC/MAFES Directors, Budget Manager(s), Development Director(s), and external consultants as appropriate regarding management options, strategies, policies, procedures, revenues, and costs, and provide support to various user groups such as landowners, lease holders, university faculty and staff, researchers, donors, student organizations, and the public.
12. Obtain and/or maintain professional certifications as a Mississippi Registered Forester and Prescribed Burn Manager.
13. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Supervision Received and Given:
• Receives supervision from the Director of FWRC.
• Supervises assigned personnel associated with management of the forest properties.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: B.S. degree in forestry from an accredited forestry program.
Experience: Three (3) years of experience similar to duties described above.
Licensure: A valid driver's license.
Substitution: An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
Mississippi registered forester or similar credential.
Certified prescribed burn manager.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent oral and written skills.
Knowledge of computers, databases, and mapping.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with university officials, alumni, friends, and various constituencies of the College of Forest Resources, the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the MSU Foundation.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc.
Job frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds. Job occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting more than 100 pounds.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants must apply online at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter, resume, and transcript. Applicant should redact social security number that appears on their academic transcript prior to submitting online.
Screening Date:
August 17, 2023 until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
