Forest Legacy Program Manager

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

In partnership with local, county, state, and federal agencies, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) protects Arizona’s people by: providing coordination and resource response for the suppression and management of wildland fire; delivering education to aid in wildland fire prevention; providing integrated management strategies, technical assistance and information through various Department programs; collaborating in forest restoration projects; and ensuring fire and life safety through permitting, plan reviews and building inspections.

Address:1110 W Washington St, Ste 500 Phoenix, AZ 85007 or

700 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or

1133 West Road 3 North Chino Valley AZ 86323 or

1100 N Beeline Highway Payson AZ 85541 or

316 W. White Mountain Blvd., Unit A Lakeside AZ 85929

Salary: $32.4840-$33.6539 Hourly

Grade: 22

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Forest Legacy Program Manager is responsible for administering all aspects of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management's (DFFM) Forest Legacy and Community Forest Legacy (CFLP) Programs. This position develops and implements strategies, plans and budgets, recruits projects for submission to available national Request for Project Proposals, conducts stakeholder engagement and outreach, coordinates due diligence and land acquisitions, and monitors and reports on all funded projects.

This position is 100% grant-funded; funding is reviewed annually.

This position offers the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Work with partners to administer the Forest Legacy Program (FLP) and Community Forest Legacy Program (CFLP). Liaise, build and maintain relationships with the US Forest Service, Local and Regional governments, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, contractors and other partners and stakeholders in FLP and CFLP initiatives.
• Oversee grant and budget administration for all aspects of the FLP and CFLP. Compile and review applications; draft narratives and submit comprehensive funding proposals for federal consideration; manage multi-million dollar budgets, ensuring proper allocation of federal capital and partner match; track metrics and compile annual accomplishment reports for federal partners and state leadership.
• Navigate terms for complex land acquisitions with private landowners. Draft and review legally binding conservation easement documents. Coordinate due diligence processes, including property appraisals, mineral evaluations, and baseline documentation reports. Oversee annual monitoring of all existing FLP-funded conservation properties to ensure easement compliance.
• Develop, manage, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive Forest Legacy and Community Forestry Program Strategic Plan. Review, revise, and maintain the Assessment of Need Report delivered with the 10-year USFS Forest Action Plan. Participate in annual and 5-year program reviews, maintain state program guidance document for FLP and CFLP. Implement program priorities, funding, and policies and maintain program records.
• Administer FLP and CFLP cost-share project awards and other related programs, including awards and master agreements. Manage pass through awards, projects, contracts, and annual program budgets for staff and special projects. Engage and oversee providers, manage contracts for services (legal, survey, appraisal, minerals determination, stewardship plans, etc.). Track project status using the USFS data management systems.Conduct site visits.
• With the Stewardship Program Manager, co-coordinate and provide oversight to the Forest Stewardship Statewide Advisory Committee and participate on statewide and national FLP advisory boards.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• State and Federal Forest Legacy Program and Community Forest Legacy Program policies and protocols., and grant regulations (Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200).
• Basic forestry measurements, stewardship planning, and best practices.
• Conservation easements, property titles, boundary surveys, due diligence and land appraisal standards.
• Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation.

Skills in:

• Legal and process document review.
• Communication, including writing, editing, talking, listening, educating, and public speaking.
• Project and budget management and use of project management tools and databases. Organizing internal and external teams to complete work by stated deadlines.
• Legal document review.
• Organization of ideas and documents.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis.
• Creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
• Research and analytical skills.

Ability to:

• Review and understand complex legal and process documents.
• Plan work independently, adhere to schedules and set and meet deadlines.
• Envision and execute strategies.
• Build diverse partnerships, recruit and motivate partners to submit project elements on a deadline.
• Translate complex environmental metrics, legal property terms, and federal rules to non-technical private landowners.
• Tactfully interact with regulatory authorities and other governmental agencies and private land owners.
• Drive on state business with possible overnight stays.
• Some out of state travel.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Conservation, or related field.
• Experience with land acquisitions and conservation easements.
• Three years work experience in a relevant profession, vocation, or activity.

• A valid Arizona Driver's License.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• The current contribution rate is 11.98%

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at for assistance.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 623-236-6664. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.