Program Manager
Job Description
Full job description
National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time position that will provide programmatic leadership to successfully plan, develop, implement, and manage a complex portfolio of restoration, conservation, recreation, and forest resilience projects across the state of Oregon. The Oregon Program Manager will also facilitate collaborative efforts, manage complex funding mechanisms, supervise program staff, and oversee broader program work throughout the state.
About the NFF: The NFF works with communities and organizations to conserve and enhance the watersheds, wildlife habitat, wild places, and recreational opportunities across the 193-million-acre National Forest System. The NFF seeks to engage all Americans in this work.
Position Function: The Oregon Program Manager reports directly to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Director and works closely with other NFF staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, and other local partners to manage robust and growing programs. The Program Managers will manage programs across multiple National Forests based on need and location. With the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Director, the Program Manager provides leadership across NFF’s conservation activities in Oregon. The incumbent is responsible for supervising NFF’s projects and Program Coordinators within the state, managing complex recreation projects, managing aggregated funding mechanisms, facilitating collaborative efforts, and helping develop and implement cross-boundary forest health and fuels reduction projects with communities, conservation NGOs, private landowners, state and federal agencies, and private-sector partners to support strategic conservation initiatives.
Position Duties and Responsibilities. The Oregon Program Manager will:
- 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.), outdoor recreation infrastructure projects, and collaborative conservation efforts.
- Support and supervise up to four staff in the state by helping develop their scopes of work, provide networking and fundraising support, and professional development guidance.
- Work directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, agency partners, and private landowners to manage the effective and efficient implementation of forest health, wildlife habitat improvement, and 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.
- 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 knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in conservation programming to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
- Assist as necessary with the NFF program of work throughout the Pacific Northwest Region, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.
Location: The location for this position is in Oregon. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest Region. This position is a remote/work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access.
Compensation: The NFF offers competitive compensation and benefits and has recently implemented a new compensation program as part of our commitment to transparency. The salary range for this position will be in the $72,433 to $111,870 range. Please note that the indicated salary range describes the full range for an incumbent in this position. New staff generally start at the 35th percentile of the range percentile to ensure internal salary equity.
To Apply: Applicants must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. The position is open until March 27th . Please visit our careers site to apply online.
The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in this search. For more information about the National Forest Foundation, visit the website at: www.nationalforests.org
Requirements:Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Oregon Program Manager to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:
- Minimum of an undergraduate degree, in conservation, forestry, planning, landscape design, recreation planning, environmental science or related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least five years of experience helping lead restoration or conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation, preferably on federal lands.
- Experience helping lead project planning, accomplishment and budget tracking, and project operations management that involve multiple implementation partners, contractors, contracts for services, and funding sources.
- Experience supervising and managing project-level staff.
- Experience with land and watershed science, policy, and management, including fire science, vegetation management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream restoration.
- Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
- An understanding of Oregon natural resource issues.
- Strong 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 Oregon Program Manager 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 clearly and professionally 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 clean driving record.
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