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Seed Operations Division Supervisor - Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

Seed Operations Division Supervisor
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)

This position is located in Davis, CA.
Obtains training and maintains qualification and certifications to operate all seed lab and cone processing equipment required, which includes receiving training from the Department in accordance with CalOSHA policies and procedures on how to safely operate a forklift as well as x-ray machine usage.
May be subject to working nights, weekends, or holidays in support of emergency incidents or program operational needs. Extended travel away from assigned headquarters may be required, locally or statewide, and may involve overnight stays, up to 10% of the time.
Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License.

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state civil service performing the duties of an Environmental Scientist, Range C. OR
Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience as a scientist in environmental analysis, research, management, planning, regulation, or investigation, two years of which have included responsibility in the development or implementation of environmental policies, programs, plans, or research projects; or conducting an environmental monitoring and surveillance, enforcement, or environmental management program; or in the direction of the work of a multidisciplinary environmental investigatory or regulatory staff, at a level equivalent to that of an Environmental Scientist, Range C, in the California state civil service. Possession of a master's degree in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline may be substituted for one year of the required general experience; possession of a doctorate in the above-named disciplines may be substituted for two years of the general experience.

This position supports the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE’s) Reforestation Services Program (RSP). Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Reforestation Services, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) has lead responsibility for all aspects of scientific analysis and development of genetically superior seeds and wild field acquisitions of cones, acorns, and other parent materials for forest and woodland plant species. The incumbent will apply scientific principles, ecological information, and analytical data to guide seed conservation, forest genetics, and reforestation decisions. Supervision: *Supervises and directs the routine and seasonal work of professional or technical staff within the Seed Bank and Cone Processing Divisions at the Reforestation Center and in field settings. *Provides resources for subordinates to obtain required and career-development training, conducts regular employee performance evaluations, imparts progressive discipline if needed, and ensures employees are adhering to written expectations, defined duties, and related policies and directives. *Serves lead role in Division workforce planning, hiring, recruitment, retention, transfers, and terminations. *Acts as direct representative for all employee support needs liaising with Personnel, Administrative, Information Technology, Training, Forestry Logistics, and other support staff within the Department. Seed Operations Direction: *Directs all aspects of seed operations, providing scientific oversight to all lab and banking activities associated with forest seeds. *Responsible for all aspects of seed lab to ensure seed growth and health of the species, including selection of the number/weight, species, seed zone and elevation of seeds processed for contracted need and speculation. *Maintains system for taking seed orders from interested parties, prioritizes requests for agreements. *Advises sowing plans in conjunction with Divisional staff and Nursery staff inputs. *Oversees performance of all necessary activities related to seed processing including x-ray analysis, air separation, purity, and germination testing. *Develops seed storage plans addressing seed bank capacity concerns, devising protocols for organization and excising lots as appropriate, to include privately banked options. *Leads seed stratification, lab germination sowing and analysis, grading, biological treatments, storing, packaging, and distribution to customers adhering to site safety and workplace procedures.

Establishes prioritization schedule for testing and tracking of seed lots. *Trains subordinates in all aspects of seed lab management and maintains proper best practices guidance and related training aids. *Provides technical assistance to clients and makes internal operational adjustments based on data collected from out-plantings. *Oversees creation, acquisition and maintenance of inventory, operations, and sales. *Tracks seed requests and requests for service within the Division, establishing metrics and analytical statistics to monitor and report on to Program Manager and other necessary parties no less than monthly and especially yearly as it relates to the RSP Annual Report. Programmatic Support: *In consultation with Program Manager, proposes and monitors program budget relative to Seed and Cone Division to include crafting and revising of Budget Change Proposals (BCPs). *Acquires and maintains CAL FIRE Certified Purchaser distinction or supports Division staff that do. *Determines need and makes purchases, where appropriate, for Divisional supplies, services, and equipment within authority, to include x-ray, kilns, extraction and processing equipment, seed lab and bank infrastructure, lab testing materials and tools, cone and seed storage racks / shelves / containers, labels, utilities, and cone/seed surveying, monitoring, layout, and collection tools. *Consults with Technical Services staff and contractors on master plan components relative to seed lab expansion and improvements, as well as ongoing and routine development and maintenance needs. *Acts as project representative for contracts, grants, and direct awards to include development, review, and adherence to scopes of work and project budgets. *Attends meetings, gives presentations, and generally acts as liaison on behalf of the Division, Program and Department with internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to RSP staff, other CAL FIRE staff and Executive leadership, Board of Forestry, tour groups, and many other partner organizations. Works to maintain a professional presence at industry and related events. *Coordinates communications and outreach related to Divisional work in various mediums, reports and newsletters. *Provides strategic development for the Division to include creation and revision of seed lab/bank and cone policies and procedures contained within CA Public Resources Code, Board of Forestry guidance and internally within the program. *Provides bill analysis, materials and services fees, and recommendations for pertinent proposed legislation. *Reviews Divisional goals routinely and leads the development of an annual reforestation needs assessment based on forests impacted by events such as wildfire, drought, disease, or insects. *Responsible for seed and cone facility development, maintenance and determines future needs for operations. *Serves in program leadership/liaison role in absence of Program Manager on occasion. *Coordinates operational activities, best practices and safety protocols with Nursery Operations Supervisor and periodically supports that division’s objectives to include seed stratification, sowing, cultivation, and landowner or client engagement activities.