Position InformationPosition Information
Working Title Director - Nebraska Forest Service
Department Nebraska Forest Service-0889
Requisition Number F_260069
Posting Open Date 07/02/2026
Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 08/10/2026
Posting Close DateOpen Until Filled Yes
Description of Work The Director provides leadership for a multi-faceted statewide organization with offices across the state. Managing an agile team of professionals and a complex budget comprising state, federal, and private funding, the Director will oversee key program areas:
- Wildland Fire Protection: Partnering with rural fire districts to provide training, equipment, and fire suppression strategies.
- Community Forestry & Sustainable Landscapes: Partnering with communities to elevate urban canopy through training, funding and outreach. Overseeing PlantNebraska - formerly the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, a member-based nonprofit organization.
- Rural Forestry: Assisting private landowners with forest management, wildfire mitigation, agroforestry, and wood product utilization.
- Forest Health: Diagnosing and mitigating threats to forest health.
Key Responsibilities- Administrative Leadership: Provide strategic direction, operational management, and financial stewardship for the agency's personnel, facilities, and diverse funding portfolio.
- Partnership & Advocacy: Cultivate deep, trusted relationships with the U.S. Forest Service, Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF), the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), state legislators, commodity groups, and private landowners.
- University Integration: Align NFS goals with the broader research, teaching, and Extension missions of IANR and the School of Natural Resources.
- Public Voice: Serve as the primary advocate and public face of the Nebraska Forest Service.
Minimum Required Qualifications - A Master's degree.
- A Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Fire Science, Public Administration, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated administrative experience within a forestry, natural resources, or public agency.
- A proven track record of managing and operationalizing substantial budgets, including grants and cooperative agreements.
- A proven track record of leadership experience managing people, resources, and complex projects across multiple programs or divisions.
- Demonstrated experience advocating for agency priorities, funding, and/or policy support.
Preferred Qualifications - A Master's degree in forestry.
- A Ph.D. in forestry, fisheries and/or wildlife, or closely related field.
- Proven experience working in forestry, wildland fire, or forestry-related professions.
- Proven leadership in a public service agency, including transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources.
- Demonstrated excellence in communicating with internal and external audiences.
- Experience setting and carrying out the strategic direction for an organization.
- Demonstrated ability to lead employees in a way that supports and encourages professional growth and career advancement.
- Demonstrated success securing external funding and developing strategic partnerships to advance organizational priorities, expand capacity, and support long-term sustainability.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets and distributing resources to accomplish strategic goals.
- Experience leading organizations through crisis situations, emergency response, or complex operational challenges.
- Demonstrated understanding of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards, Incident Command System (ICS) principles, and interagency wildland fire management practices.
- Experience working in an academic institution.
Work Location (City, State) Lincoln, NE
Pre-Placement Driving Record Review RequiredCriminal History Background Check RequiredPosted SalaryHow to Apply Click "Apply for this Job" and then "Faculty Application." Complete the application and attach the following required documents:
- A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job.
- Your curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three professional references.
- A statement describing your philosophy and approach to:
- Budget and resource management.
- Addressing current and emerging challenges in Forestry and Natural Resources.
- Establishing intermediate and long-term goals for the Nebraska Forest Service.
- A statement describing your experience working in teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to environments where every person and every interaction matters (2 page maximum). See https://go.unl.edu/ianrguide for guidance in writing this statement.
Please combine the statements (items 4 and 5) into a single document and attach as "Other Document."For questions or accommodations related to this position contact Rachel Szelag
[email protected]Job CategoryJob Category (old) Academic Administrative
Job Type 12 Month (Faculty Only)
Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? No
If Temporary, indicate end datePlanned Hire DateAppointment End DateOrganizational Location Default Location
