Director, Forest Ranger Services

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Public Protection, the Director of the Division of Forest Protection plans, directs and oversees the delivery of all programs and services provided by the Division of Forest Protection (DFP).

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct the DFP programs to ensure that managerial and resource programming processes are properly applied and executed on a timely basis.
• Advise the Deputy Commissioner for Public Protection on the formulation of policy relative to the Department’s responsibilities for statewide management of the Division’s programs.
• Directly supervise the Assistant Director of DFP, the regional and the central office Forest Ranger 3’s (Captains). Indirectly supervise all other staff within the Division.
• Perform executive functions required for the effective management and administration of the Division’s programs.
• Oversee and direct the budget processing, program evaluation and reporting; participate in labor/management meetings, negotiations and the development of memoranda of understanding.
• Oversee all personnel transactions including staff placement, hiring and complaints against division members.
• Maintain a wildfire program to extinguish wildfires in as short a time interval from detection as possible utilizing modern suppression techniques to limit acreage burned.
• Provide a State Land Stewardship Program utilizing Division personnel who are responsible for care, custody and control of lands administered by the Department.
• Maintain a program of Search and Rescue to ensure high level of preparedness of the Forest Ranger force and volunteers for the purpose of locating and rescuing individuals who become lost or injured in the wild and remote areas of the state.
• Oversee Licensed Guide Program.
• Ensure all Division members receive necessary/mandated training in law enforcement health and safety, fire management and search & rescue.
• Represent the Department on various commissions and task forces and advises Executive staff on major issues.
• Promote inter-division and inter-agency cooperation and coordination through meetings and work groups.
• Prepare correspondence to other Division heads, outside agencies and the public on various topics related to program delivery. Oversee and prepare various reports and correspondences for the Commissioner’s office.
• Work to advance the agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by assessing and addressing barriers and opportunities in recruitment and hiring practices and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competency.

Qualifications

• Eleven years of police law enforcement experience in emergency response related to environmental conservation, protection, or natural resources; or eleven years of police law enforcement experience.
• Two years of this experience must have been managerial and included responsibility for implementation of program goals and objectives within established budgets and supervision or coordination of staff to achieve specific objectives; or an associate’s degree and nine years of experience described above, at least two years of this experience must have been managerial and included responsibility for implementation of program goals and objectives within established budgets and supervision or coordination of staff to achieve specific objectives.

Preferred Experience: Candidate has emergency response experience.

Education Substitution: A bachelor’s degree can substitute for four years of the non-managerial experience. A master’s or higher level degree can substitute for one year of non-managerial experience.

Schedule and travel

Actual work schedule, duties and travel requirements may vary and will be discussed at the interview. Transportation needs of this position require use of a state vehicle and adhering to the Department’s Vehicle Policy. You must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for this position. Travel may be required. Overnight travel may be required. Weekends and holidays may be required. Must be available for emergency response. Must be available to respond to after-hours emergencies. Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, will be discussed at interview.

Benefits

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds