Please see the following announcement for a Silvicultural Program Manager at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resource Research Institute.
---- Job Opening Announcement UMD Natural Resources Research Institute 5013 Miller Trunk Hwy Duluth MN 55811 Job Title: Researcher 6: Silvicultural Program Manager Job Code: 9742R6 Required Qualifications • M.S. in forestry, natural resources, ecosystem management, or related field from a regionally-accredited college or university • Demonstrated experience leading research teams (academic or industry job experience) • Established and demonstrated presence in the field of silviculture (publications, memberships, presentations) • Demonstrated experience working with or in forest industry (e.g. industry position, grant activity, board or committee memberships) • Demonstrated experience to lead complex research efforts, execute research program objectives, write reports, train, mentor and manage direct reports and manage project budgets • Excellent written communication skills; demonstrated skills in technical writing, editing and organization of data Preferred Qualifications • Ph.D. in Forestry, natural resources, ecosystem management or related field regionally-accredited college or university • Detail-oriented, self-motivated and possessing strong organizational skills and excellent interpersonal skills • Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgment in strategic decisions on the basis of organizational mission and input from peers and organizational leaders • Demonstrated leadership experience. • Demonstrated record of identifying, writing and winning federal, state and industry grants and contracts • Experience building networks and demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively in a diverse and multidisciplinary team environment • Experience applying strategic thinking and collaborative principles to the development of silvicultural programs that influence the evolving practice of forestry • Demonstrated experience with intellectual property development, management and technology transfer • Clear verbal communication skills in the English language Background: The Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth is an applied research organization whose charter is "To deliver research solutions to balance our economy, resources and environment for resilient communities". As a key asset to the University of Minnesota system, NRRI engages in collaborative, applied research to deliver excellence in science, engineering and economic analysis in support of natural resource use and management decisions. Position Description: This position develops and leads an Institute research group focused on developing cutting-edge applied forest management research leading to stabilization and expansion of forest-based industry in Minnesota. This includes development of a full range of silvicultural strategies from intensive forest management and multiple-use forestry to conservation forestry. Existing programs include research on intermediate stand treatments for aspen and red pine ecosystems, regional resource analyses to assess timber availability, field evaluations of logging operation efficiency and management of an internationally-renowned program on genetic improvement of hybrid poplar. The position will be located at the Duluth Miller Trunk Highway facility. Regional travel will be required. The position will engage and work closely with NRRI research, information, and financial managers, University of Minnesota research and extension departments, public and private sector groups, federal, state and county agencies, tribal governments and agencies, and industry and business communities. The position will have both direct and indirect supervisory responsibilities. The Program Manager will demonstrate a commitment to working with diverse individuals in industry, agencies and from the public. We are committed to attracting candidates from diverse cultures and communities because we believe that diversity enriches the research experience and specifically will lead to a better connection between research results and implementation. Job Duties: a. Coordinate and expand a silvicultural research and outreach program that develops ecologically sound forest management strategies consistent with the Institute’s mission and providing forest industry with a social license to operate. b. Develop, evaluate and demonstrate site-level silvicultural practices that maintain or enhance productivity while preserving the ecosystem services provided by northern forest ecosystems. c. Contribute to the development of landscape-scale management plans that provide forest industry with a sustainable and predicable supply of wood. d. Use knowledge of site potential to identify the optimal wood products (veneer, sawtimber, pulp, biomass) suited to particular landscape positions. e. Build collaborative alliances – internal (NRRI, UMD, UMN) and external (industry, government, tribal governments, academia) - to pursue research and development leading to enhanced sustainable use of Minnesota’s forest resources. f. Lead research teams in identifying and pursuing funding sources in concert with NRRI and University resources. g. Identify strategic laboratory and analysis infrastructure for supporting forest research and funding approaches to support program and Institute growth. h. Identify critical science and engineering skill sets and develop succession plans to replace retiring personnel and allow group to evolve into an enhanced research program. i. Provide industry, agencies and private landowners silvicultural options for the management of northern forest ecosystems. Balance wood production with ecosystem management setting new standards by which society can measure performance. Operational Role The Silviculture Program Manager organizes research group programs and deliverables consistent with Institute mission and goals. The Manager will engage with Institute senior leadership to influence direction and operation of the Institute and be responsible for long-term assembly and development of the research team, including developing sustainable funding through grants and other funding sources. The Manager will coordinate and assure quality of both written and oral communications of research teams and be responsible for group safety performance and compliance with University, state and federal safety regulations. Scope of Measurable Impact Key short-term measureable impact will be the formation of a coherent silviculture research team with suitable, consistent funding. Longer-term impacts include industrial, public and academic recognition of NRRI’s silviculture program, consistent delivery of results within budget and timeline and attraction of key internal and external collaborators. Independence and Decision-Making The Silviculture Program Manager primarily works independently in accordance with agreed-upon objectives; generally responsible for keeping processes moving in a productive direction, and will look for supervisory approvals when changes to process steps are considered and when additional resources for task completion are required. Complexity and Problem Solving The Program Manager will need to have demonstrated sufficient intellectual breadth, flexibility and creativity to incorporate multiple perspectives from industrial, regulatory, governmental and academic sources, to adapt research programs to the needs of society and to incorporate future technology advances. Supervision The Program Manager has the authority to hire, transfer, promote, discharge, suspend, assign work, reward, discipline, and direct the work of both full-time and part-time University employees within the program. The University is interested in an individual whose record of scholarly achievement has been enhanced by exposure to diverse ideas, opinions and people. We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the ability to respond effectively to the growing diversity of the Universities students, staff and faculty, to work with tribal governments, agencies and their natural resource staff, local and federal agencies, industry and woodland owners APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Review of complete applications will begin December 1, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted online. To apply for this position, go to http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/and search for job opening 320686. Complete applications must include: ● Letter of application ● A current resume/curriculum vitae ● Contact information for three professional references The cover letter and CV/resume will be attached during the application process. First submit the application and then return to the “My Activities” page to attach the additional documents. Please send any inquiries to Patrice Hell, [email protected]. -- Salli Dymond, PhD Assistant Professor - Earth and Environmental Sciences Associate - UMN Institute on the Environment University of Minnesota Duluth Heller Hall 217 1114 Kirby Drive Duluth, MN 55812-3036 218-726-6582 | www.dymondlab.weebly.com http://environment.umn.edu/
