Job Description

Job Title - Division Director and State Forestor

FT / PT Status – Full-time
Salary – $60.61 - $88.83
Remote Work / In-Office – In-office

Recruiter – Christa Rowland | crowlan@utah.gov | 801-538-4826
Application Deadline – 8-30-26

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

This is an executive-level position responsible for serving as the Division Director and State Forester for the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL). The position reports to the Commissioner and Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and oversees the division’s management team, programs, personnel, budget, and operations.

The Division Director and State Forester provides strategic direction and makes final decisions regarding division goals, priorities, resource allocation, and forestry, fire, sovereign lands, and applicable state mineral policy. The position oversees statewide forestry and fire management programs, including forest and watershed conservation, wildfire prevention and suppression, and forest management on state and unincorporated private lands.

The Director/State Forester advises the DNR Commissioner and other state leaders on forestry, fire, sovereign lands, applicable state minerals policies, and natural resource issues and represents the division with local, state, and federal agencies, committees, boards, and partner organizations. The position also provides policy and technical guidance to staff, communities, lawmakers, landowners, and other stakeholders; oversees personnel matters; and serves as a spokesperson to the media and public.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversees statewide fire suppression, fire prevention, sovereign lands, applicable state mineral resources, and forest management program(s).
• Insures forestry preservation, conservation, and wildland fire prevention across state and private cooperative lands.
• Serves as representative for the division on state, national, and local committees, advisory boards, and councils regarding Division programs.
• Provides technical and policy guidance to staff members for Division programs also providing services to communities and organizations.
• Oversees subordinate field personnel and fire crews, including assigning workload, delegating fire incident assignments, training, and monitoring field performance.
• Develops, directs, and/or evaluates statewide division programs.
• Sets division goals, establishes priorities, manages high-level resources, develops administrative concepts and approaches, and reviews project progress and results.
• Evaluates, plans, and directs the overall business and management operations of the organization.
• Prepares and recommends the division's annual budget to the Legislature; monitors division fiscal activity to assure conformity to goals and budget constraints; develops short and long-range budget plans.
• Represents the agency with federal, state, and local government units, in the media, or with private organizations regarding Division programs.
• Listens and responds effectively to elected and appointed officials, holding public hearings and rendering formal administrative decisions.
• Supervises top-tier subordinate personnel, overseeing hiring, workload delegation, performance evaluation, and division-wide personnel matters.

Qualifications

Minimums:

• Applicants must meet the requirements of State Code 65A-8-102 The State Forester shall be a graduate of an accredited school of forestry, technically and professionally competent and experienced in administration.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing services, assessing customer/lessee needs, and meeting quality standards.
• Identifying complex structural or legal problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• The ability to apply general rules and state administrative codes to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Preferences:

• Candidates with a Masters degree or higher in a natural resource related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in the career field along with political affiliations and stakeholder engagement.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience managing a multi-dimensional organization.

Supplemental Information

Work is typically done in the office. However, there will be exposure to hazards associated with wildland fire zones, rugged forest terrain, varying weather conditions, and active field operations. Requires walking, standing, navigating steep wilderness slopes, and maintaining high physical stamina during emergency incidents.

About the Role

Location – 1594 W North Temple, Salt Lake City
Background Check Required – Yes
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – AD

Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency
For more information about working for the Department of Natural Resources please click here.

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.