Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities and natural spaces today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Restoration Forester, Private Lands (MS) to join our Southeast Region program team.

Who You Are

The Restoration Forester, Private Lands (MS) is a full-time, field-based position focused on restoring and sustainably managing longleaf pine ecosystems on private (family-owned) lands in southern Mississippi. In partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Forester will provide technical and financial assistance to landowners through cost-share programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This position will play a critical role in implementing longleaf pine silviculture, including site preparation, planting, prescribed fire, midstory management, and thinning. The Restoration Forester will work closely with NRCS field staff, landowners, and other partners to ensure the effective design and delivery of forestry practices that contribute to climate resilience, biodiversity, and the long-term recovery of longleaf pine ecosystems.

What You’ll Do

As a part of the team, you will help grow American Forests’ Gulf Coast field office and private lands program more broadly in the Southeast. The Forester will collaborate with other partners in the region, including USDA Forest Service, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, private companies, contractors, and nonprofit organizations. We are seeking a candidate with strong field forestry skills and experience but also experience and interest in helping grow and manage programs and projects in the Southeast. Ideally, we are seeking a candidate that can help coordinate with partners, identify new opportunities, and contribute towards American Forests’ vision for the Southeast. Major responsibilities include:

Landowner Engagement & Forest Management Planning (40%)

• Lead and participate in education and outreach activities for private (family) forest landowners, including direct mailings, workshops, field tours, and demonstration events.
• Develop and implement forest inventories, including sampling design, field data collection, and data analysis.
• Utilize technical decision-support tools to inform silvicultural prescriptions, including the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) software application.
• Prepare forest management plans aligned with NRCS cost-share programs, including interpreting forest stand data, preparing graphs and tables, delineating stands, making maps in ArcGIS, and writing silvicultural prescriptions.
• Assist landowners with enrollment in NRCS federal cost-share programs and contract development.

Practice Implementation & Field Work (40%)

• Design and layout longleaf pine restoration practices, including marking treatment area boundaries and flagging or painting take or leave trees for tree planting, thinning, midstory control, and invasive species treatments.
• Provide landowners with a list of available contractors, implement contractor inspections, and final contract certifications to ensure compliance with technical standards and forest management plans.
• Implement post-treatment monitoring to assess treatment efficacy and to inform adaptive management.
• Connect landowners to resources to implement prescribed burns, including facilitating prescribed burn plan development.

Partner Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Coordinate closely with NRCS field offices, state and federal agencies, private companies and contractors, and nonprofit partners to align goals and leverage resources.
• Participate in regional meetings, trainings, workshops and initiatives that support longleaf pine restoration.
• Help develop outreach materials and presentations that promote longleaf restoration practices and incentives.

Data Management & Reporting (5%)

• Maintain accurate field records, practice maps, GIS data, and landowner files.
• Support reporting requirements to NRCS and American Forests, including metrics tracking and site documentation.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Assist American Forests’ staff in the delivery of relevant in-person meetings, conferences, and events.
• Conduct public presentations at conferences and meetings.
• Plan and lead site visits and field tours as appropriate.

What We’re Looking For

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

• A registered forester’s license in the state of Mississippi or ability to obtain one within first 6 months on the job.
• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in applied forest management, including field experiencing marking silvicultural treatments and preparing forest management plans.
• Knowledge of longleaf pine ecosystem restoration and management practices.
• Strong organizational skills with experience working independently and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in using technological tools for field data collection (e.g., tablets) and ArcGIS Pro software.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license.

Reporting and Supervision

The Restoration Forester, Private Lands (MS) reports to the Director, Southeast Forest Restoration. This position will work closely with American Forests’ Resilient Forests team and partners at USDA NRCS in Mississippi. This position does not have any direct reports at this time.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, hourly non-exempt position. The budgeted hourly rate is between $25.64 and $33.33. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional perks, such as a technology stipend and pet benefits, further enhance the overall employee experience.

Working Conditions

This position is based on-site at an NRCS field office in Hattiesburg, MS. The work will take place primarily in outdoor, forested environments (80%), with some administrative tasks performed remotely or at partner facilities (20%). Exposure to hot, cold, or wet conditions is to be expected. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices will be required. A rental vehicle will be provided for regular travel for field work and periodic travel to meetings and conferences. The Restoration Forester will be provided with necessary equipment and support from both American Forests and NRCS. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job.

About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years.

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.