The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Nature Conservancy seeks a knowledgeable, energetic conservationist for the position of Conservation Forester to develop and monitor FSC certified forest management plans for working forest conservation easements, and to plan and implement ecological management and forest conservation projects for the chapter’s stewardship program. The Pennsylvania Chapter is known in the Conservancy and beyond as a leader in innovative, effective strategies that benefit both people and nature at a scale that matters. Our past successes include protecting over 90,000 acres of key habitat and helping to restore natural, healthy flows to Pennsylvania’s three great river systems. The Conservation Forester will play an important role in achieving the Chapter’s goal to protect the lands and waters of Pennsylvania, the region, and the world for future generations.
The Conservation Forester provides technical leadership and support to the Pennsylvania Chapter’s Land and Freshwater Conservation Teams and acts as the liaison between the Stewardship Team and the Conservancy’s Working Woodlands Program. The Conservation Forester is based in our Harrisburg, PA office and contributes to the maintenance, management and monitoring of the Pennsylvania Chapter’s portfolio of preserves and conservation easements while developing sustainable forestry and ecological management plans and projects. This may include one or more of the following functions:
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Develop FSC certified forest management plans for stakeholders, partners and TNC preserves;
- Implement ecologically sound forest management projects to advance our habitat management goals;
- Collect and analyze various types of data including GPS data and produce maps using GIS software;
- Maintain conservation easement and preserve areas frequented by the public, property boundaries and signage, tools and equipment, and data for monitoring and project management;
- Manage project teams and supervise staff, contractors, volunteers, interns, and AmeriCorps crews in the field;
- Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements, including annual monitoring;
- Perform tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment;
- Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals;
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances;
- Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development and grant management.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Experience using Microsoft Office; Outlook, Word, Excel.
- Experience with GPS and ArcGIS and/or similar applications.
- Experience communicating with the public both in writing and verbally.
- Experience performing physical work outdoors.
- Must have valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Experience with forest management planning and/or forest certification programs, certified forester preferred.
- Experience with prescribed fire, invasive species control, and recreational management.
- Experience with ecosystem service markets, specifically forest carbon credit markets.
- Knowledge of the natural history and ecosystems of Pennsylvania and/or the Central Appalachians.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and climate change adaptation.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.