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Description

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an exempt, full-time, two-year position that will build connections and programmatic growth to support the acceleration of reforestation activities on National Forests in the Northwest. This is a two-year 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 Northwest Reforestation Specialist reports to the Reforestation Program Senior Specialist and works closely with NFF’s Enterprise and Field Programs staff, USDA Forest Service partners, and other regional partners to advance reforestation activities on National Forest System lands. The Specialist will provide technical support and subject matter expertise for reforestation projects, working in collaboration with the Forest Service, NFF staff, and partner organizations. In coordination with staff on NFF’s Enterprise and Field programs, this position will guide the development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of reforestation activities that enhance ecological integrity, increase forest resilience, and help close the reforestation backlog on National Forest System lands.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Northwest Reforestation Specialist will:

• Serve as a member of the National Enterprise Program to 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 the NFF as a recognized thought leader in reforestation efforts.
• Work closely with the NFF Enterprise and Field teams to develop and expand NFF’s scope of reforestation work and coordinate activities across the Pacific Northwest. This includes helping to develop, manage, and track large-scale agreements associated with projects.
• Collaborate with the NFF Enterprise team, NFF Field teams, and Forest Service partners to develop a system of regional technical guidance resources. Resources shall include but not be limited to seedling handling specifications, workflows, training materials, standard operating procedures and best practices, and procurement templates.
• On Umpqua National Forest and in geographic areas where NFF Field staff aren’t currently supporting National Forests locally, manage 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.
• In coordination with the Forest Service and NFF Field staff, help train and support reforestation staff in the Pacific Northwest on best practices and techniques. May be responsibility for supervising staff.
• Assist the Forest Service in developing long-term strategies to address accumulated stand-tending needs that promote innovative approaches to overcome current reforestation challenges.
• Collaborate with Forest Service certified Silviculturists, Geneticists, and Ecologists to develop site-specific diagnoses of treatment needs and reforestation prescriptions, including interpreting seedlot and breeding zone codes and using the seedlot selection tool to ensure optimal planting and survival.
• Collaborate with NFF GIS team and other departments to advance and implement data management practices, tools, and resources that track activities, seedling survival, and stocking rates across Forest Service data systems. This includes, but is not limited to, FACTS tabular and FACTS spatial, and digital tools, such as Exams Mobile, Survey 123, Field Maps, Avenza, and QuickCapture.
• Work with NFF Advancement and Marketing teams to support project fundraising and engaging storytelling efforts that enhance public awareness.
• 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.
• Stay abreast of scientific advances, current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in reforestation and forest management to enhance NFF’s strategic efficacy.

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

• Degree in forestry, natural resource management, 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, reforestation, ecological restoration, and/or project planning.
• Knowledge of Northwest Forest ecosystems, native tree species, silvicultural practices, and general reforestation needs and challenges on National Forest System lands.
• Experience with nursery operations, seed collection, and tree planting methods.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Northwest 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 in remote settings and under varying weather conditions, 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.
• Ability to utilize ArcGISPro to design/create maps and carry out geospatial data analysis.
• Excellent analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Pacific Northwest.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record, as frequent travel to remote work sites is required.

Location: The location for this position is in a community near the Umpqua National Forest in Southwest Oregon. Applications must be able to travel regularly within the Umpqua National Forest. This position is a remote/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 June 6th, 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.

Salary Description

$83,800 to $101,275