Forest Manager | Whangarei

Job Description

Forestry Manager

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Northland

Salary range & band: General Salary Range D: $100,934 to $135,076 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

We are on the hunt for an enthusiastic and driven Forestry Manager for our Northland region.   You'll provide management support to the National Operations Manager in line with Crown Forestry's business objectives and strategic vision, with a particular focus on working collaboratively with our forest management contractors to plan, budget and control forest development, tending, maintenance and harvesting operations.

We currently utilise two forest management contractors to service our Northland portfolio which comprises 21 forests covering over 14,300 hectares. This is a great opportunity to have significant influence and support the management of our Northland assets.  

This role will require a mixture of office and field work. There is also scope for travel outside the region to assist with the wider Crown Forestry Kaupapa as needed.

A typical day will see you

• Implement and maintain forestry operations systems and processes including monitoring and reporting on physical and financial performance; and review contractor/sub-contractor performance
• Act as the Crown's steward in respect of the maintenance and improvement of the forest assets
• Implement and maintain assurance processes for forestry operations as set out in Crown Forestry's Quality Management System
• Ensure Environmental compliance as required under NES-Commercial Forestry, Resource Management Act and relevant local authority District and Regional Plans
• Ensure Health and Safety compliance and continuous improvement in accordance with the Crown Forestry H&S plan
• Develop and maintain forest management plans
• Work with existing management contractors and joint venture partners
• Assist in the selection and induction of new management contractors
• Build and sustain positive working relationships with stakeholders (lessors, grantors, neighbours, iwi, territorial local authorities, regional councils, and forest user groups)
• Monitor forest operations (access, land preparation, planting, releasing, tending, pest control, forest health, earthworks and harvesting)
• Ensure tree crop and land is adequately protected and kept secure

This role is the opportunity for the right candidate to grow within Crown Forestry.

Mōu - About You

We're searching for someone with experience in managing forest operations. You'll be used to achieving strong results through the relationships you build and possess an open and honest communication style. You will be dedicated to meeting the expectations of your stakeholders and work to gain their trust and respect. Proactive management of your work and a reliable, steadfast nature will also be key to your success.

Alongside this we are seeking:

• Familiarity with the regulatory environment for the forestry sector (specifically health & safety and the environment)
• A tertiary qualification in forestry management or equivalent industry experience
• Experience in managing forest and harvesting operations including supplier appraisal, negotiation, performance, and delivery
• Financial management capability including budgeting and control
• An ability to consult with and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders
• An ability to analyse issues, evaluate options and agree on a solution
• The ability to work as part of a team or independently
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• A willingness to share and learn knowledge and experience

This role can be physically demanding, often requiring on the ground auditing of work, walking among trees and through understory vegetation, often over steep and undulating terrain.

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence or equivalent full foreign driver licence.

Mō te peka - About the branch

Crown Forestry is a commercially focused business unit within MPI.  As the Governments's principal forester, Crown Forestry manage a portfolio of the Crown's commercial forest assets, totalling approximately 45,000 ha across the motu. Our role is to prudently manage and administer this portfolio of forestry assets to achieve the best return for the Government while ensuring the Crown's legal and contractual obligations are met. As a direct participant in the New Zealand forest industry, Crown Forestry stands apart from the fundamental policy, regulatory and service delivery roles of MPI. Nationally, we manage over 50 different forest assets working with multiple forest management contractors.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

We're a team of 11, geographically dispersed (Masterton, Northland, Wellington, and Rotorua), but joined by our passion for the industry and a goal of becoming industry leaders. Our field operations team regularly work remotely from one another but often closely with forest management contractors. We stay in touch with regular team meetings and informal chats. People enjoy working in our team for its united and connected culture and the variable and dynamic nature of our work. We work diligently, enjoy a laugh or two and provide a supportive network for each other. We're looking forward to welcoming our new Northland Forestry Manager to the team to continue the meaningful work we are doing for the Crown and our partners.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a NZ citizen, who has resided continuously in NZ for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, NZ, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm on 22nd of April

If you have any questions about the role, please email ryan.pink@mpi.govt.nz 

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