Statewide Cooperative Program Manager

Job Title: Statewide Cooperative Program Manager

FT / PT Status Full-time

Salary $37.60 - $45.91
Remote Work / In-Office In-Office

Recruiter Christa
Application Deadline 8-9-26

Job Description

Join the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands as we pioneer a new era of land management. We are seeking a dedicated professional to champion our landmark Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

In this role you will be the bridge between state and federal priorities driving the execution of high-impact projects that safeguard our watersheds and enhance public lands across Utah. By collaborating with diverse stakeholdersfrom state leadership to federal decision-makersyou will facilitate essential initiatives in forest health wildfire risk reduction recreation and timber management. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the long-term resilience of Utahs landscapes and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinating with State Federal Local and other stakeholders to:
• Identify projects that will benefit wildfire mitigation habitat restoration recreation and other resource values.
• Leverage funding and resources to accomplish on-the-ground work.
• Prioritize projects that will meet agreed-upon success metrics.
• Plan and facilitate state-wide workshops to accomplish the above efforts.
• Act as a liaison between FFSLs six Area Offices and the State Office as well as between FFSL and external stakeholders.
• Building internal and external relationships.
• Preparing an Annual Action Plan that outlines the goals strategies and opportunities that meet the intent of theCooperative Agreement.
  
• Tracking and reporting metrics from the Annual Action Plan.

Qualifications

Minimums

• Knowledge of Utahs natural resources and political landscape as well as an understanding of the importance of cross-jurisdictional work to accomplish meaningful projects.
• 5 years of experience in natural resources with a preference for experience in forestry wildfire and/or the wood products industry.
• Experience coordinating and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing projects; contracts agreements budgets etc.
• The skills to understand distill and communicate complex issues.
• A desire to change the way the State Local and Federal Governments work together to address natural resource problems across the state.

Preferred

• A Bachelors Degree in Planning Natural Resources Public Administration or a related field.
• A Masters Degree in Planning Natural Resources Public Administration or a related field is preferred.
• An understanding of U.S. Forest Service agreements contracting and funding.
• Experience forecasting and planning projects budgets and tracking progress.

Supplemental Information

This role focuses heavily on inner-agency coordination cross-boundary project execution and shared stewardship. The exact duties vary depending on whether the position is focused on field operations fuels management or administration. The key components of the role generally include the following:

A major piece of the FFSL/USFS agreement involves strengthening Good Neighbor Authority co-managing wildfire risk identifying shared opportunities around wildlife grazing water resources recreation and resource management.

This role functions as a collaborative partner representing state interests while adhering to federal standards.
Unified Planning: Bringing state data and regional priorities to the table during the early stages of USFS planning processes rather than just reacting to federal decisions after they are made.

Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as a point of contact for private landowners local fire wardens county commissioners and environmental groups to ensure local voices are integrated into broader federal forest strategies.

Federal-state partnerships are heavily tied to joint funding a significant portion of the role involves compliance.

Tracking Commitments: Ensuring both the state and the federal agency are meeting their Participation Commitments

Compliance: Ensuring all field operations comply with necessary environmental standards (like NEPA or state regulations) while managing the budgets and deliverables of federal grants allocated to the state.

About the Role

Location 1594 W North Temple Salt Lake City
Background Check Required No
Drug Test Required No
Schedule Code AX

Why You Should Join Our Team

The Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands and this role in particular offers a unique opportunity to be engaged in a multitude of projects statewide. You will learn more about forest practices wildland fire and how sovereign lands are managed. No two days of work are alike. We balance our hard work with an appreciation of the importance of life outside the office and we support training growth and taking advantage of the opportunities open to us as a diverse agency.

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 .

Required Experience:

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