Title: Forest Landowner Outreach Coordinator

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist III

Hiring Range: $55,000.00-$65,000.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forestry

Location: CHESTERFIELD-COLONIAL HEIGHTS

Agency Website: www.dof.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Virginia's forests are largely privately-owned, comprising 80 percent of forestland. Effectively reaching and engaging all landowners in active forest management is critical to keeping forest healthy, sustainable and productive.

The purpose of this position is to build relationships and understanding between the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and underserved landowners in Virginia. This position will help connect landowners to an array of agency incentives, programs and markets to meet the landowners' goals, and increase property productivity and value.

The Landowner Outreach Coordinator will:
• seek out and establish connections with private forest landowners historically underserved by DOF services and programs.
• develop an outreach plan to outline goals, objectives and strategies (to involve identifying communities, individuals, stakeholders and identifying barriers and lessons-learned).
• build local networks and connect with resource experts and landowner associations.
• build relationships with communities and share benefits and value of forest management.
• serve as a liaison between landowners, communities and DOF staff.
• become familiar with DOF staff, programs, and strategic initiatives related to forest management and landowner assistance.
• communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers and partners.
• serve as a liaison, bridge gaps, and serve as a validator for DOF and the forestry community.
• meet with individuals and groups, plan and conduct meetings, conferences, events and listening tours.
• coordinate with the Office of Communications to develop outreach materials, presentations and remarks.
• develop relationships with the overall forestry community, including private foresters, loggers, sawmills and forest industry representatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies required to successfully perform outreach work.
• Ability to assess, analyze or use evidence-based approaches to planning outreach activities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Skills and experience in community organizing, community outreach, culturally sensitive and that can build relationships.
• Experience collaborating with diverse populations including descendant communities.
• Demonstrate ability to effective communication orally, and in writing, with persons at all levels, particularly with those in underserved communities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret instructions and data and can communicate elements of forest management.
• Skill at providing service and communication with people in the English language both in person and over the telephone. Regarding communication, be bilingual in terms of the use and sensitivity of words used.
• Demonstrate relationship building within communities and resolve conflicts as they occur.
• Ability to work indendepently, plan, schedule time and be productive.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer bend, stoop, drive a car, van, or other similar vehicle. Virginia Driver’s License or ability to obtain. Ability to walk, at times on uneven ground. Regular and reliable attendance required.

Additional Considerations

• Background and knowledge of forestry, natural resources, and farming.
• Knowledge of Virginia history, culture, landscapes, and socio-demographic conditions.
• Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating initiatives in natural resources or related field.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Kristina Clore

Phone: 434-529-7244

Email: kristina.clore@dof.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.