Description of Work

• Develops situational awareness from our leadership down to our line employees regarding our land management practices developing standards of excellence with a focus on our natural and working lands, forests, farms and waters.
• Collaborates with peers to develop and implement biological and ecological policies and procedures for management of natural forests, wildlife populations and habitats, and managed timber lands.
• Collaborates with peers and executive leadership to develop departmental goals and strategies to restore our lands and waters to their native state where possible, and sustainably manage our working forests and farms and softscaped landscaping
• Promote the protection of the department’s natural resources through development of prescribed fire plans and wildfire suppression planning
• Develops and implements best practices and processes through use of a continuous improvement model / culture
• Develops programs, projects, goals, objectives and metrics including baselines and benchmarks to ensure the ecological restoration program meets our desired level of success including but not limited to carbon storage and sequestration, ecological functionality, resilience, sustainability, and internal and external return on investment
• Mentors, leads, and coaches team members to ensure they meet goals and objectives
• Builds and maintains positive business relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborates with other agencies and programs to develop restoration plans and conservation agreements where appropriate
• Keeps up to date with applicable federal, state and local wildlife and forestry standards and regulations and new technological developments.
• Discusses / negotiates contract terms and conditions with vendors and clients.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of the Experience and Education listed on the application.
To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, and policies that govern or influence environmental, energy or natural resource management programs.
• Demonstrated experience guiding teams within organizations toward successful implementation of biological and/or terrestrial efforts to restore lands and/or waters to their native state.
• Demonstrated experience in ecological restoration, sustainable forestry management or similar experience.

• Knowledge of the research processes needed to evaluate and make recommendations for concrete sustainable land and water restoration practices.
• Knowledge of data gathering techniques and procedures.
• Skills and ability to plan lengthy and/or complex studies, contracts, or research/projects.
• Ability to analyze, manipulate, and evaluate information/data, including the use of software.
• Considerable knowledge of wildlife habitat, wildlife management, wildlife disease, and species propagation
• Ability to formulate or assist in the development of management alternatives and
• recommendations.
• Ability to organize and supervise the work of others
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form to a variety of audiences including the general public and clients of the Department
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other biologists, members of the general public, members of groups interested in wildlife or fisheries, local government officials and internal customers to accomplish concrete restoration efforts.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.
See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.
Master's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.
DAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.