The Forest Stewardship Project Director oversees implementation of the Conservancy’s Master Stewardship Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in northern Arizona, a project designed to accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration within the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, the largest restoration effort undertaken by USFS to date. The position advances innovation and transformation in the preparation, administration and implementation of forest thinning projects focused on small-diameter timber to help stimulate investment in wood-products infrastructure and foster a collaborative relationship between USFS and industry that can succeed in challenging and dynamic economic environment.
The position works as part of a larger cross-departmental team of Conservancy Staff that includes the Conservancy’s contractor and agent overseeing restoration work. There are two primary areas of focus for the Forest Stewardship Project Director. The first is to work with USFS to streamline business practices associated with preparation of timber sales to achieve the supply certainty needed to reach the restoration goals of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. The position is responsible for driving technological and business practice innovations to reduce the time and cost of releasing timber for harvest, and for documenting efficiencies to facilitate time and cost-comparisons with traditional practices. The second is to work with USFS and industry partners to simplify implementation of forest operations and reduce the cost of mechanically harvesting timber. The position works with the Conservancy’s agent, providing input and oversight for implementation of the Conservancy’s agreements with USFS. The Project Director serves as liaison to the USFS coordinator responsible for the Stewardship Agreement with TNC. The position works alongside the Conservancy’s agent to negotiate work plans and related budgets with USFS and is responsible for tracking financials and project accomplishments to fulfill reporting requirements. The Project Director supervises project staff and works as part of a larger team advancing the Conservancy’s Future Forests Project.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Responsible for leading a project across a 2.4 million-acre forested landscape managed primarily by USFS.
- Supervises project staff; Works as part of a larger team focused on innovation and transformation of agency business controls and forest operations.
- Collaborates closely with agency, industry and other stakeholders to accomplish project goals.
- Negotiates complex agreements, in a dynamic environment.
- Responsible for administration and oversight of contractors, contracts and agreements.
- Prepares budgets, reviews financials and responsible for project reporting.
- Makes independent decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
- Frequent travel within Arizona.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Experience negotiating in a dynamic environment.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
- Inclusive leadership skills and experience managing teams with a commitment to respecting team dynamics, and a strong ability to understand and credit diverse perspectives, and synthesize multiple perspectives to achieve the best outcome.
- Experience in partnership development with government agencies, business/industry, non-profit partners, and stakeholders.
- Valid driver’s license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 7-10 years’ experience in the forestry sector related field.
- Driven to work in collaborative environment with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders to solve organizational and economic challenges and successfully facilitate change management.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and successfully implementing conservation policy and practice.
- Institutional savvy to navigate environment with complex drivers and levers.
- Multi-cultural, multi-lingual, cross cultural experience and background an asset.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices within forest industry and federal/state agencies.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations to achieve project goals.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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.