Position Function:
This position will be responsible for managing forest properties of the Forest & Wildlife Research Center (FWRC) in south Mississippi, including but not limited to the Wolf River Coastal Forest Research and Education Center, ensuring compliance with the University, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
September 2025.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Coastal Forest Supervisor Job Description
1. Responsible for managing forest properties of the Forest & Wildlife Research Center (FWRC) in south Mississippi, including but not limited to the Wolf River Coastal Forest Research and Education Center, ensuring compliance with the University, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
2. Supervise assigned personnel, which includes work allocation, safety, training, and problem resolution. Evaluate performance and make recommendations for personnel actions. This is a combination of being active on the ground managing forest, and leading and managing assigned staff to do the same.
3. Oversee the activities of external and/or internal contract personnel, including timber sales, site preparation, planting operations, invasive species control. Monitor and inspect work to ensure adherence to contract specifications and industry standards.
4. Consult and interact with the FWRC, CFR/FWRC Forest Supervisor, Budget Manager(s), Development Director(s), and external consultants as appropriate regarding management options, strategies, policies, procedures, revenues, and costs.
5. Develop project specifications and bid documentation, coordinate reporting for all timber sales.
6. Develop and implement forest management plans for university coastal forestlands. Coordinate activities to meet planned objectives as outlined for each property and to ensure compliance with environmental requirements, best management practices, and forestland certification programs.
7. Maintain forest inventory of type, amount, and location of standing timber to appraise worth of timber and ensure a sustainable harvest of the forest.
8. Implement timber sales including marking of stands and timber, preparation of sale documents, coordination of bid procedure, execution of sale purchase, and oversight of timber harvest.
9. Coordinate maintenance of property boundary lines, signage, gates, locks, and roads. Manage schedule of prescribed burning activities on forestlands, and assist with wildfire suppression.
10. Maintain and implement the Geospatial Database system as a tool for record-keeping, mapping, management, and information dispersal to user groups.
11. Manage records of research plot locations, and provide support to project leaders and faculty.
12. Provide outreach through cooperative efforts with partner agencies, provide presentations, tours, and information regarding forest properties, and provide support to various user groups such as landowners, lease holders, university faculty and staff, researchers, donors, student organizations, and the public.
13. Manage recreational activities on forestlands. Oversee the issuance of recreational hunting and fishing leases.
14. Remain available on a 24-hour, 7-day a week on-call basis as principal respondent to emergencies and off-standard situations, such as wildfire and alarm system breaches, related to forestlands.
15. Support the functions of the FWRC Director and the CFR/FWRC Forest Supervisor and assist with duties as assigned.
16. Obtain and/or maintain professional certifications as a MS Registered Forester/SAF Certified Forester and Prescribed Burn Manager.
17. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
• B.S. degree in forestry from an accredited forestry program
• 3 years of experience managing coastal long leaf forest systems
• A valid Mississippi driver's license
• Able to obtain professional certifications as a MS Registered Forester/SAF Certified Forester and Prescribed Burn Manager
Preferred Qualifications:
• 5 years prescribed fire experience and Prescribed Burn Manager Certification
• Supervisory experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Registered Forester or Certified Forester Credentials
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with and lead university officials, alumni, friends, and various constituencies of the College of Forest Resources, the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, and the MSU Foundation.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., with one often to the point of being objectionable. Injuries may require professional treatment.
Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.
Job frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Job occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting more than 100 pounds.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants must apply online at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach cover letter, resume, and transcript. Applicant should redact social security number if it appears on their transcript prior to submitting online.
Screening Date:
August 18, 2025, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
