National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an Exempt, Full-time, 3-Year Term position that will build connections and partnerships to support the implementation of reforestation activities across the USDA Forest Service Eastern Region. This is a term position, with the intent to grow into a permanent position, provided the incumbent’s success and adequate funding is established.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

Position Function: The Eastern Reforestation Specialist reports to the Senior Reforestation Specialist and works closely with NFF’s Reforestation and Eastern Field Programs, Forest Service partners, and other regional partners to advance reforestation activities on National Forest System lands in the Eastern Region. In coordination with Reforestation staff on NFF’s National Enterprise Program, the incumbent will be responsible for providing subject matter expertise to NFF staff by leading or supporting the negotiation and development of new programs of work, implementing and managing complex projects, building and maintaining collaborative relationships, managing agreements, and handling funding mechanisms that drive NFF strategic reforestation initiatives. Projects shall include but are not limited to: field assessments and implementation, seed collection, stand tending needs, and other associated site-specific treatments that increase the quality and quantity of available seed stock and increase acreage reforested.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Eastern Reforestation Specialist will:

• Serve as a member of a National Enterprise Program to rigorously develop best practices and deepen expertise in all aspects of reforestation, based on a national portfolio of projects, to provide guidance and support to NFF Field Teams and position NFF as a recognized thought leader in reforestation efforts.
• Work closely with the U.S. Forest Service and NFF Reforestation and Eastern-based Field teams to develop and expand the NFF’s scope of reforestation work and activities across the Eastern Region of the National Forest System, with an initial focus on National Forests in the Lake States and New England.
• In geographic areas where NFF Field staff aren’t currently supporting National Forests locally, remotely manage a strategic portfolio of projects through their full life cycle, including contracts and related budgets for services related to the on-the-ground implementation and coordination with various partners.
• Collaborate within NFF Enterprise team, with Field teams and Forest Service partners to develop a system of national and regional reforestation technical guidance resources for implementing staff. Resources shall include, but not be limited to, workflows, training material, standard operating procedures and best practices, procurement templates, and standard technical guidance. In a similar manner, identify and document critical needs and challenges to address reforestation in the Eastern Region.
• Supervise and support staff (a minimum of one) by helping develop their scopes of work, providing networking support, and professional development guidance.
• Work closely with the Forest Service to develop forest-based reforestation implementation plans and associated activities to accelerate reforestation on various National Forests, based on need and priority and in service to shared, measurable outcomes.
• Assist the Forest Service in developing a long-term regional strategy to address accumulated stand-tending needs that promote innovative approaches to overcome current reforestation challenges.
• Stay abreast of scientific advances, current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in reforestation and forest management to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
• Work with NFF Marketing staff to create engaging annual storytelling products that enhance awareness of National Forest reforestation needs, successes, and benefits.
• Work with NFF Advancement staff to support fundraising for project needs.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships among federal and state agency partners, local government, tribal partners, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners to carry out effective collaborative partnerships

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Eastern Reforestation Specialist to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental sciences, a related field, or equivalent experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of forestry and renewable resource management.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in forestry, conservation programs, ecological restoration, project planning, and/or project implementation.
• Knowledge of eastern forest ecosystems, native tree species, and general reforestation needs and challenges, especially on National Forest System lands (preferred).
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service's purpose and National Forest lands management.
• A strong understanding of forestry and restoration in the Eastern US.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Eastern Reforestation Specialist to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Ability and drive for continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about forest restoration projects.
• Ability to work independently, perform fieldwork, attend meetings, and manage projects with minimal oversight.
• Ability to represent the NFF with diverse constituents in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaboratively manage programs and evaluate their outcomes against quantifiable measures of success.
• Ability to effectively manage a variety of projects and tasks to successful completion.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience with or willingness to learn GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Eastern Landscape.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record, as frequent travel to remote work sites is required.
• Excellent analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.

Location: The location for this position is flexible within the Eastern Region of the US Forest Service with a preference for Wisconsin, Michigan, or Pennsylvania. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout the Eastern Region. This position is a work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace.

Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The starting salary range for this position is $83,800 to $101,275, with the ability to grow to $118,750 based on performance outcomes over time and assessed annually.

Benefits: NFF is proud to offer our staff:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical and dental insurance paid at 75% by the organization for you and any dependents.
• Vision insurance paid 50% by the organization for you and any dependents.
• Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878-$3,750 per year, predicated on coverage type.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one (1) year of service.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
• Whole life insurance at a discounted rate

Flexibility and time off:

• Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and holidays (annual leave accrual rates increase with years of service)
• Family & medical leave for up to sixteen (16) weeks with up to four (4) weeks paid.

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year.

Journey of a Lifetime:

• The opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to / work in spectacular locations.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will close on February 7th, or earlier if filled. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.