Description
Great Basin Institute (GBI), founded at the University of Nevada, Reno, is a mission-driven non-profit organization headquartered in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Institute advances ecological literacy, professional development, and environmental resource management through educational outreach and direct service programs.
GBI’s Forestry Stewardship Contracting (FSC) program seeks a Forestry Operations Manager (FOM) to collaborate with FSC program leadership, program staff, federal and non-federal partners, and the forestry industry to oversee the implementation of collaborative stewardship projects across multiple national forests. The FOM will have primary responsibility for supporting and growing the FSC program work on forests with smaller or developing portfolios, while providing targeted support to larger, more established units and programmatic systems as needed. This role combines program leadership, project oversight, and operational management, with responsibility for coordinating and overseeing all phases of project planning and implementation in support of forest health and restoration objectives. Depending on experience and qualifications, this position may be filled at a senior level with expanded responsibility for program oversight and development.
The FOM independently and collaboratively manages grants and agreements, contract administration, harvest inspection, project planning, and NEPA compliance. The position supports partnership development through coordination of annual work planning, development of requests for proposals, facilitation of bid processes, contract awards, and ensuring project specifications align with best management practices and applicable federal and state requirements. This position serves as a key liaison between contractors and agency partners, while supporting invoicing, financial tracking, and performance reporting across multiple agreements. The FOM also contributes to program development by strengthening partnerships and identifying opportunities to expand stewardship work. The FOM ensures quality and consistency across current projects while helping to build and scale programmatic work in emerging areas. This role requires a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional capable of managing multiple projects across different forests within GBI’s growing FSC program.
U.S. Forest Service units currently engaged in FSC projects include the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Mendocino, Sequoia, and Eldorado National Forests, with emerging work on the Six Rivers and Lassen National Forests. This position operates in a largely remote environment, requiring the ability to effectively supervise staff, coordinate with partners, and manage projects across multiple locations. Regular travel is required to project sites and partner offices to support field operations, maintain partner relationships, and ensure successful project implementation.
Essential Job Functions may include the following and other duties as assigned:
1. Leadership
Serve as the primary program lead for assigned forests, particularly those with emerging or developing bodies of work, supporting program growth, partner engagement, and long-term stewardship planning across a distributed and largely remote work environment.
Assist FSC Program Leadership with programmatic needs, including supporting larger forest units as needed and contributing to process and policy development.
Coordinate with agency partners to ensure project design and implementation appropriately account for land status, environmental constraints, and applicable NEPA and regulatory considerations.
2. Mentorship / Professional Development
Supervise and provide leadership to FSC program staff, including Stewardship Coordinators, Forestry Specialists, Sale Administrators, and Harvest Inspectors.
Support staff development, performance management, and seasonal workforce planning in a primarily remote setting.
3. Project Management Accountability
Provide overall management and oversight of active stewardship projects, including contractor coordination, field presence as needed, and resolution of operational challenges.
Ensure contractor performance meets contract specifications, productivity expectations, and applicable federal and state requirements; implement quality control measures across projects.
Manage grants and agreements, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, timelines, and reporting requirements.
Develop and manage contracting packages, review and authorize invoices, and support financial tracking, reporting, and performance documentation across multiple projects and agreements.
Oversee collection and management of field and project data to support planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Provide technical oversight of project planning and layout, including review of silvicultural prescriptions, harvest systems, and operational plans to ensure consistency with project objectives and regulatory requirements.
Ensure the accuracy and quality of project documentation, including maps, timber sale appraisals, environmental compliance materials, and reporting deliverables.
4. Administration
Provide direct supervision of FSC program staff, including hiring input, onboarding, work assignment, performance management, and corrective action in coordination with program leadership and organizational policies.
Coordinate seasonal staffing needs, including recruitment support, scheduling, and workload distribution across project teams and field operations.
Travel regularly to project sites, partner offices, and field locations to support implementation, conduct oversight, and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors, and partners.
LOCATION
While a hybrid remote/in-person work schedule out of GBI’s offices in Reno, NV is expected for this role, the potential for fully remote status in or near the northern or central Sierra Nevada may be considered for the right candidate. Please bring your unique needs or ideal scenario to the interview for discussion.
Based at GBI offices in Reno, NV The “Biggest Little City in the World” the greater Reno-Sparks metropolitan area has a population of over 435,000. The city is a high desert landscape ~4,500 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains along the Truckee River, as it flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Weather is mild, but with distinct four seasons. Reno offers easy access to world-class outdoor recreation including driving distance to Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks, the Pacific Ocean, and California redwood forests. Closer to home, Nevada offers more natural hot springs than any other state in the country, over 150 named mountain ranges, and 30 peaks over 11,000 feet. Recreation and entertainment includes eight major ski resorts in proximity to the Reno-Tahoe airport; fishing and boating on Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake; cultural festivals throughout the summer along the banks of the Truckee River; a thriving food scene and more.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, salaried position. Due to the billable nature of the role, compensation is structured using an hourly equivalent rate for billing purposes. The anticipated hiring range is $33.00 – $41.00 per hour ($68,640 – $85,280 annually), depending on experience and qualifications. For highly qualified candidates, the position may be filled at a Senior Forestry Operations Manager level.
In addition to a competitive hourly rate, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is equivalent to $78k - $95k per year, DOE. This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts for advancing environmental research, education, and conservation.
Requirements
To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential job function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Great Basin Institute invites any applicant who feels their combined experience and education align with the advertised role to apply. Applicants who meet 75% or more of the criteria identified within the "Required" section are strongly encouraged to apply.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with forestry initiatives within or alongside public/private land management agencies, members of the public, and/or non-profit organizations;
Minimum of three (3) years of applicable forestry project management;
Substantive knowledge of current forestry practices and methods, including project layout, timber cruise, stand exams, harvest inspection and project monitoring;
Well developed cartography and spatial analysis skills using ArcPro and similar software;
Proven skills in contractor oversight and collaborative management;
Effective problem solving skills and ability to share skills and knowledge with others;
College degree in forest management, natural resources, or related discipline;
Proven track record of taking initiative and working independently without direct supervision;
Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license, an insurable record, and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
Meet requirements of federal agency security background checks (e.g., FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry, Department of Interior Security Screening);
Willingness and ability to travel to partnering forests and active projects regularly. Travel will generally taper to less frequency in the non-fieldwork season.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Graduate Degree in Forestry, Ecology, or similar field;
Current status as a Registered Professional Forester in the State of California;
Five (5) years’ experience managing multiple forest stewardship projects and personnel in Region 4, 5 & 6 of the US Forest Service;
Relevant or related field experience – deep knowledge of and/or experience in Sierra Forest types, and/or high desert Great Basin ecology;
Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of GBI;
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately;
High level of organization and attention to detail with demonstrated field and leadership skills;
Demonstrated experience in areas such as grant writing and management, project development, training, team building, and problem solving;
Familiarity with regional forest community-based agencies, services and resources.
TO APPLY
Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact jpelak@gbinstitute.org
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.
The overall nature of the position is often sedentary and office-based, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. During field visits, there is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes, along with potentially long hours working outside walking over uneven terrain to inspect project sites
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs
