Georgia’s 25 million acres of forestland are a natural wonder. They are also an enormous responsibility for the many people who own, manage and enjoy them for the multitude of benefits they provide.

The Georgia Forestry Commission has a rare opportunity for an individual to lead the agency as it takes on the challenges of a flourishing resource in changing times. While honoring its roots in protection from wildfire and sound land management for wood production and economic return, the GFC is seeking a visionary Director who personifies the mission: to provide leadership, service, and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia’s natural resources.

The Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission holds a myriad of critical responsibilities that directly impact millions of people and one amazing natural resource. Does that describe someone you know? Does that describe you?

Candidates for this position should possess the following:

  • Ability to develop and successfully communicate a vision of leadership in establishing and maintaining a successful top level forestry organization;
  • Ability to work effectively with legislative and executive branches of state government;
  • Demonstrated leadership and communication skills to work effectively with forest landowners, industry, the environmental education community, and a wide range of natural resource agencies and NGO partners;
  • Demonstrated experience with budgetary development and management;
  • Emphasis will be placed on candidates who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry or who have significant experience in forest management; and
  • Candidates with relevant state agency leadership experience (GFC or other state agencies) will be preferred

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The application deadline is Friday, October 30, 2020 with interviews as soon as possible thereafter. Complete applications in a single PDF file with a cover letter no more than three pages, a complete resume, and contact information for 3-5 professional references should be sent to the address below. Permission will be obtained from applicants before references are contacted.

Complete applications must be received by the deadline and should be e-mailed to:

gfcdirectorapplications@gmail.com

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

The State of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity 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.
  • Work in conjunction with the Forestry Commission Board to develop and implement the strategic direction for the agency.

Government Relations

  • Serve as the primary advocate and representative in front of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Hearings.
  • 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 counsel 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 government, NGOs and other key stakeholders for the betterment of forestry in Georgia (including, but not limited to, Georgia Forestry Association, Association of Consulting Foresters, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, tree improvement cooperatives, Department of Public Safety, Department of Agriculture, National Department of Defense, Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Farm Bureau, Southeastern Wood Producers Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Division, GA State Firefighter’s Association, UGA Warnell School of Forestry, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Forest Landowners Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Agricultural Innovation Center, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Department of Education, Joseph P. Jones Ecological Center and Tall Timbers).

Agency Management

  • Prepare and present agency budget for state general funds.
  • Supervise senior staff to include administration, human resources, information technology, 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.
  • Provide support for leadership development and training of agency management to ensure ongoing supervisory and human resource development, as well as succession planning.

 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 entire fire community to implement sound fire prevention and suppression strategies and practices.
  • 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 to ensure the populace is aware of the economic and environmental benefits derived from Georgia’s forest resources for all its citizens.