Project Manager, Oregon Fuels, Forests, & Funding

ABOUT PACIFIC FOREST TRUST

Pacific Forest Trust is a nationally recognized leader in forest conservation, championing innovative solutions that reward forest landowners for delivering vital public benefits, including clean water, healthy forest ecosystems, climate resilience, and thriving rural communities. We deliver landscape-scale private forest conservation in the West and develop innovative incentives for forest conservation, natural forest management, and natural climate solutions at the state and national levels.

We’ve conserved more than 360,000 acres of forest across California and Oregon, steward conservation easements on over 130,000 acres and ow and manage forests as well. Our work is ambitious, collaborative, and practical: driven by science, grounded in partnership, and focused on creating durable, landscape-scale impact. Our projects are outstanding not only for their scale, but for their landscape impacts and high standards for delivering multiple public benefits. PFT is accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission Learn more at http://www.PacificForest.org

If you want to shape the future of resilient Western forests while advancing bold natural climate solutions, we’d love to meet you.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We’re launching a first-of-its-kind financing initiative to restore and conserve fire-and climate resilient landscapes across Oregon, particularly where communities, forests, and utilities meet. To lead this effort, we’re seeking an experienced Project Manager who thrives at the intersection of policy, financing, natural resources, and coalition building.

This role offers a rare and exciting opportunity to shape not only a groundbreaking statewide initiative with national visibility, but also its long-term governance. If the initiative’s enabling legislation is successfully passed, PFT anticipates the formation of a new entity to oversee and implement the financing, forest resilience, and partnership activities established through this program. The Project Manager will be strongly positioned to transition into a senior leadership role and potentially the executive leader of this new organization.

Candidates who excel in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and building durable coalitions will find this a unique chance to help design, launch, and lead an institution with lasting impact on Oregon’s forests and community resilience. This is a highly relational, strategic role with direct visibility and influence across Oregon’s climate resilience and utility‑related fire mitigation landscape.

As the Project Manager, you will:

Drive Strategy & Implementation: Co-develop and execute the initiative’s full implementation strategy with PFT leadership and the Core Project Steering Committee.

Build & Empower Partnerships: Identify, cultivate, and support key community and stakeholder partners—including utilities, landowners, tribes, agencies, environmental groups, and the insurance industry.

Guide Consulting & Technical Teams: Manage a multidisciplinary team advancing policy design, forest and fuels analysis, and communications.

Engage Policymakers: Lead and participate in conversations with legislators, regulators, and other government partners.

Advance Innovative Financing: Drive development of revenue bond financing in collaboration with public, private, and financial partners.

Amplify the Initiative’s Voice: Serve as a spokesperson and help shape media strategy and public messaging.

Ideal Candidate

This role is ideal for candidates who have:

• Demonstrated success in policy development and legislative engagement
• A track record of building trust with diverse Oregon stakeholders including utilities, tribes, conservation groups, agencies, and forest industry partners.
• A background in, or solid understanding of, infrastructure or revenue bond financing
• Solid experience or a fast-learning ability in forest resilience, fuels management, or natural resource systems

Qualifications and Experience

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Leadership in complex, multi-stakeholder projects involving public policy, infrastructure development, or large-scale project implementation.
• Deep Oregon-based experience navigating diverse stakeholder groups.
• Expertise in (or ability to quickly master) fire management, fuels treatments, and forest ecosystem dynamics.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consulting teams.
• Strong communication skills, especially in public/policy/media settings.
• Experience with Revenue Bond Financing, Joint Power Authorities and Public Private Partnerships is a plus.
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial approach and a passion for PFT’s mission.

Position Details

Reports to: President, Pacific Forest Trust

Location: This is a full‑time role based in Portland, Oregon (preferred). Some travel is required primarily within California and Oregon.

Language: English (Required)

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary: $110,000–$150,000, plus an excellent benefits package.

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; 4+ weeks paid time off; retirement benefits with employer match after one year.

To Apply

Please send your resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, to jobs@pacificforest.org, with Subject: Your Name – Project Manager, Oregon Fuels. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.