The Conservation Forester is responsible for launching and building TNCs Working Woodlands program in West Virginia. Working Woodlands helps landowners conserve their forests while earning long-term revenue by leveraging forest carbon markets with sustainable forest management and working forest conservation easements. The program is a critical contributor to TNC’s goals of protecting critical lands and waters and tackling climate change. The Conservation Forester will oversee all aspects of management and implementation for this important program and may also contribute to several other important forest restoration and conservation initiatives in West Virginia and adjacent states within the Central Appalachians.
The Conservation Forester oversees the development and implementation of the Working Woodlands program in West Virginia and fulfills the following essential functions:
- Collaborates with West Virginia’s Director of Conservation, Director of Lands and other West Virginia and Central Appalachians Whole System staff to plan and implement science-based forestry, forest carbon and land protection objectives, outreach and communications strategies, monitoring and adaptive management frameworks for the Working Woodlands Program in West Virginia.
- Works with landowners, partners, contractors and other staff to evaluate project sites, perform or oversee forest resource inventories, and develop sustainable forest management plans, working forest conservation easements, and forest carbon projects.
- Works closely with West Virginia external affairs and Central Appalachians staff to showcase the potential of forest carbon and conservation forestry projects as a climate-friendly and/or economic diversification approach in West Virginia.
- Builds, cultivates, and maintains key partnerships and relationships with public agencies, private organizations and key stakeholders in West Virginia to promote forest carbon and other conservation forestry actions.
- Serves as a key working group member within TNC’s seven state Central Appalachians Whole System team.
- Seeks out and pursues significant public and private funding opportunities that will deliver resources needed to advance the West Virginia and Central Appalachians Whole System vision focused on advancing natural climate solutions, forest carbon projects, and conservation forestry actions
- Collaborates with philanthropy staff to support effective fundraising for the West Virginia chapter, including participation in donor events, communications and marketing efforts, and gift solicitations.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Leads the implementation of TNC’s Working Woodlands program in West Virginia including landowner outreach and engagement, managing contractors, and developing effective partnerships with state and federal agencies and other technical service providers and non-governmental organizations.
- Supports TNC’s role as a key player in the economic transition of West Virginia towards nature friendly economic sectors
- Programmatic scope may require cross-boundary work and relationships.
- Leads and manages team or project to support and improve conservation efforts.
- May manage multi-disciplinary administrative and professional staff, with responsibility for performance management, training and career development. Establish clear directions and set stretch objectives.
- Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the department or program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
- Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
- Builds 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.
- Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and context
- Demonstrated knowledge or experience with forest inventories, forest management plans for timber and wildlife outcomes, and forest certification programs.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
- Experience managing contractors
- Experience in landowner outreach and engagement
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
- Experience negotiating.
- Experience developing, leading, and participating in cross-functional teams.
- Experience with and knowledge of key conservation issues and partners in West Virginia and the Central Appalachians.
- Experience with and knowledge of current conservation and forestry/natural resource management trends and practices.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance
- Experience with written and verbal communication skills.
- A valid driver’s license and compliance with the Conservancy’s Auto Safety Program
- Experience in basic computer literacy, including experience with Microsoft Office suite of programs and ArcMap GIS
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5-7 years’ experience in forestry practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge or experience in forest carbon markets.
- Knowledge of or experience with the development of conservation easements and other land protection tools
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Experience fundraising and/or writing, securing, and managing grants.
- Advanced experience working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including spatial data analysis and map development.
- Experience with prescribed burning and supportive of fire as a management tool
- Politically savvy
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.