Search for new Director of Georgia Forestry Commission

Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission

The Georgia Forestry Commission is seeking applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission.  The Director is responsible for supervision of approximately 700 Commission personnel with an annual operating budget of more than $50 million.  In addition, the Director serves as administrative officer and executive secretary of the Commission and represents the Commission in other forestry related organizations.

The Georgia Forestry Commission traces its roots back to 1925 when the Georgia legislature created the Forestry Department to coordinate efforts to suppress wildfires.  Since then the Commission has evolved to touch all aspects of Georgia's vast forest resources.  The main office of the Commission is located in Macon, Georgia.  The Commission operates 10 district offices and 129 county units spread across the state as well as an Urban Community Forestry Program, a Forest Products Marketing Program, and a Nursery.  The mission of the Georgia Forestry Commission is to provide leadership, service, and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia's forest resources.

Candidates for this position should possess the following:

1). Demonstrated leadership and communication skills;

2). Ability to communicate and interact with individuals, industries, and governmental entities associated with natural resources;

3). Demonstrated experience with budgetary development and management;

4). Ability to develop and successfully promulgate a vision of leadership in establishing and maintaining a successful top level forestry organization.

Emphasis will be placed on identifying individuals who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry or who have significant experience in forest management. A degree in forestry is not required.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The application and nomination deadline is October 31, 2007 with interviews as soon as possible thereafter. 

Complete applications must include a resume with the names and addresses of at least three professional references.  These materials should be sent to:

GFC Search Committee
c/o Wesley Langdale
PO Box 1233
Forsyth, GA 31029

For more information about the Georgia Forestry Commission visit: www.gatrees.org

The State of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Director - Georgia Forestry Commission
State Forester
Individual Responsibilities

GFC Board Liaison

• Serve as the executive secretary and administrative officer to the Georgia Forestry Commission Board of Directors
• Work in conjunction with the Forestry Commission Board to develop and implement the strategic direction for the agency

Government Relations

• Interact with legislative committees on natural resources to develop and support legislation concerning matters affecting forest resources
• Work with members of the Georgia General Assembly and legislative council to develop and support legislation to benefit forestry.
• Work with Georgia's Congressional Delegation on federally funded programs impacting forestry in Georgia

Working with Other Groups

• Work directly with the USDA Forest Service Regional Forester and staff to develop and deliver federal forestry funding and technical assistance to users in the State.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with leadership in other (non-USDA Forest Service) federal and state governments in both the Executive and Legislative branches and provide leadership in formulating proposals for state policy on forestry and forest resources
• Represent the Georgia Forestry Commission and State of Georgia in working with and as a part of the National Association of State Foresters and the Southern Group of State Foresters
• Work with responsible natural resource focused NGOs and other key stakeholders for the betterment of forestry in Georgia

Agency Management

• Prepare and present agency budget for state general funds
• Supervise senior staff to include field operations and program managers overseeing wildland fire protection, rural forestry assistance, urban and community forestry, reforestation,  nurseries and tree improvement, state forests, conservation education, forest products marketing and forest inventory
• Oversight of  leadership development and training for the agency management so as to ensure continuous talent in supervision and human resource development

Forestry Practices

• Develop and implement all actions appropriate to foster, improve and protect the forest resources of Georgia
• Provide leadership in the development and continuous improvement of Georgia's wildland fire planning and work with the total fire community to implement
• Provide leadership in forestry conservation education to develop educational messages and materials targeted toward those audiences
• Provide leadership in Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) to ensure that Georgia's forestry community has current and useful data
• Provide leadership in tree improvement and reforestation so that Georgia's forest resources will remain sustainable
• Provide leadership in forest management activities to ensure forest health and sustainability of Georgia's forest resource

Forest Advocacy

• Serve as an advocate for forestry and forest resources economic development by working in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development
• Provide leadership in education and outreach to Georgia's increasing urban population so as to ensure the populace is aware of the economic and environmental benefits derived from Georgia's forest resources for all its citizens