Project Manager, Oregon Fuels, Forests, & Funding

About Pacific Forest Trust

Wood, water, wildlife, and wonder. Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) delivers landscape-scale private forest conservation in the West and develops innovative incentives for forest conservation, natural forest management, and natural climate solutions at the state and national levels. We do so in ways that reward private landowners for managing for public benefits such as clean water, a healthy climate, and abundant native wildlife. Our work reinvigorates and sustains rural economies and restores resilient forest landscapes across ownership boundaries. PFT is recognized nationally as a leader in developing new payment systems for ecosystems services, from climate to carbon, working forest conservation easements, watershed and habitat services, and sustainable, renewable biomass energy. PFT has led the conservation of over 360,000 acres of forestland in California and Oregon, stewards conservation easements on 130,000 acres, manages and own forestland. 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.

About this Opportunity

PFT is seeking an experienced project leader with a strong background in infrastructure financing, or equivalent, and successful policy initiatives to further and manage an innovative financing initiative focused on restoring and conserving fire-resilient landscapes impacted by utility operations and liability exposure in Oregon.

This role requires demonstrated experience with revenue bonds and the policy development and legislative processes necessary to secure bond authorization, as well as either direct experience/understanding of fire management and forest ecosystem function, or a proven ability to quickly learn and apply new subject matter within natural resources management.

Successful candidates will bring substantial experience in Oregon stakeholder and community engagement, along with a strong track record in successful policy development and management of consultant teams. Experience working with Joint Powers Agreements (JPAs) and/or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is a plus. Experience navigating and helping resolve complex challenges involving high emotional content is also highly valued. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.

Reports to: President and Core Project Steering Committee (CPSC) 4 members.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Help develop and lead the full implementation strategy in collaboration with CPSC.
• Work with the CPSC to identify, cultivate, and engage key stakeholder and community leaders, build and manage the broader Stakeholder Engagement Committee in order to improve the proposal, and build understanding and support for the initiative. This stakeholder group includes but is not limited to: utilities, the forest industry and landowners; conservation and environmental groups; tribes, state and federal agencies; the insurance industry.
• Engage and manage a multidisciplinary consulting team supporting policy development, forest and fuels management objectives, communications.
• Build and manage relationships with relevant utility partners.
• Lead and/or participate in discussions with state legislators, regulatory agencies, and other governmental stakeholders.
• Participate in fundraising activities related to the initiative.
• Drive the development of revenue bond financing in coordination with all relevant public, private, and financial partners.
• Coordinate and support the Stakeholder Engagement Committee.
• Serve as a spokesperson with the media, overseeing and directing media strategy and exposure.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives involving infrastructure financing, public policy, or equivalent large-scale implementation efforts.
• Substantial experience with revenue bond financing and the associated policy development and legislative processes required to secure bond authorization.
• Direct experience with, or strong working knowledge of, fire management, forest and fuels management, and forest ecosystem function, or a demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply technical subject matter within natural resources management.
• Proven success in Oregon-based stakeholder and community engagement, including work with utilities, landowners, conservation organizations, industry partners, and state and federal agencies.
• Experience managing and coordinating multidisciplinary consulting teams supporting policy development, technical analysis, and communications.
• Familiarity with Joint Powers Agreements (JPAs) and/or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and help resolve complex, high-stakes challenges involving competing interests and high emotional content.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience serving as a spokesperson or representing initiatives in public, policy, or media settings.
• Systematic, results-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.
• Passion for, and commitment to, PFT’s mission, vision, and values.

Location, Benefits, and Compensation

This is a full-time position based in Portland, Oregon (preferred). Salary range is $110-150,000/year with an excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please send a resume and 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. Put your name and Project Manager, Oregon Fuels in the email Subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.