National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time position that will build partnerships and connections to support the development and implementation of restoration, conservation, recreation, and forest health projects across assigned National Forests within the Rocky Mountain Region. The Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager will also facilitate collaborative efforts, manage complex funding mechanisms, supervise program staff, and oversee broader program work in the Rocky Mountain Region.

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 Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager reports to the Rocky Mountain Region Director and provides leadership for NFF’s conservation and recreation portfolio across the Rocky Mountain Region. In close partnership with NFF staff, the U.S. Forest Service, and a broad network of local and regional partners, the Program Manager oversees complex, multi-site programs across the Pike San-Isabel National Forest, San Juan National Forest, and others, aligned with regional priorities and community needs. Working collaboratively with fellow Rocky Mountain Region Program Managers, the position helps advance NFF’s strategic pillars of Land and Watershed Restoration, Wildfire Resilience, and Recreation.

The Program Manager supervises up to five regional Project and Program Coordinators; leads the planning and implementation of integrated projects within these focus areas; manages aggregated funding mechanisms; and facilitates cross-boundary collaboration and project implementation. This role supports the development and delivery of landscape-scale initiatives that improve forest and watershed health, reduce wildfire risk, and enhance sustainable recreation opportunities. The Program Manager works closely with communities, partners, conservation organizations, private landowners, and state, federal, and private-sector partners to advance NFF’s strategic conservation goals and ensure durable, community-supported outcomes.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Rocky Mountain Region Manager will:

• Develop, manage, and guide new and existing NFF’s growing programs of work across assigned National Forests within the Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) of the US Forest Service.
• Work with the U.S. Forest Service to develop, modify, manage, and track large-scale Stewardship Agreements, Challenge Cost Share Agreements, and Participating Agreements associated with forest restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, etc.), recreation enhancement projects, and collaborative conservation efforts.
• Work with local, state, and federal partners and private landowners to develop scopes of
• work for large-scale, cross-boundary forest health and wildfire risk reduction projects.
• Work with local, state, and federal partners to develop scopes of work for complex recreation infrastructure projects.
• Lead the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to on-the-ground implementation of forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation infrastructure projects.
• Work directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, agency partners, and private landowners to manage the effective and efficient implementation of forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation infrastructure projects.
• Develop and manage innovative funding mechanisms.
• Expand the base of private sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities and creating new development opportunities.
• Provide collaborative conservation expertise and facilitation support for priority regional initiatives.
• Manage program and project budgets and reporting associated with grants from federal, state, and local government sources, as well as philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Support expansion of the base of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing grants.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships among federal and state agency partners, local government, tribal partners, nonprofit organizations, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Maintain a breadth of knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in the field of conservation programming to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
• Serve as a point of contact for the NFF’s conservation activities in the Rocky Mountain Region.
• Supervise up to five project and program Coordinators in the Rocky Mountain Region, as needed. Provide oversight, coaching, and regular guidance for a broader team across the Region.
• Assist as necessary with the NFF program of work throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects and various NFF-led functions, initiatives, and work groups.

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Rocky Mountain Region Program Managers to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, Professional Certification, or equivalent experience in conservation, forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of work experience with conservation programs, project planning, and/or managing project implementation.
• Involvement in project planning, management, accomplishment and budget tracking, and project operations management that involve multiple implementation partners, contractors, contracts for services, and funding sources.
• Experience with land and watershed science, policy, and management, including fire science, vegetation management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream restoration.
• Experience supervising and managing project-level staff.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest lands management.
• An understanding of Colorado and Wyoming's natural resources and community-based issues.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Rocky Mountain Region Program Managers to possess:

• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about recreation infrastructure, community-based conservation, and forest and watershed restoration projects.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to represent the NFF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS online, journal builder, and basic cartography and map design.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

Location: The location for this position is in Colorado or southern Wyoming. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout assigned sub-regions of the Rocky Mountain Region. This position is a remote/work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access.

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 $118750 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 March 25th, 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.