The Forestry Program Director oversees all aspects of The Nature Conservancy’s forest conservation strategy throughout Michigan. The Forestry Program Director will collaboratively develop and implement strategies to increase the health, diversity, resiliency and sustainability of Michigan’s forests so that they continue to provide benefits for nature and people. Through a variety of forest conservation practices, we aim to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change, provide clean air and water, and provide healthy and diverse habitat, while maintaining a viable forest-based economy, including recreation and timber-based jobs. The Forestry Program Director will ensure that the strategy in Michigan directly contributes to our regional, national and global outcomes for land and water conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, and connecting people and nature.
The Forestry Program Director will continue to develop and implement The Nature Conservancy’s Forest Strategy that informs and influences forest management policies and practices that impact private industrial and non-industrial and public (both Federal and State) forest lands. Specifically, the Forestry Program Director will oversee a portfolio of strategically designed projects that currently includes:
- Managing over 30,000 acres of FSC certified TNC Forest Reserves in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including overseeing timber harvest activities and contracts as well designing, implementing and exporting lessons on sustainable forest management;
- Engaging individuals who have statutory or legal decision-making authority for the management of forests to promote ecological and economic benefits, including benefits of Forest Certification and sustainable forestry under a changing climate;
- Further developing and overseeing a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service designed to accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration on National Forests in Michigan via Master Stewardship Agreements;
- Coordinating interactions with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources related to management of the State Forest System;
- Implementing and managing carbon market projects on TNC lands and on other private lands in Michigan, primarily via TNCs Working Woodlands program;
- Developing market-based incentives designed to create demand for sustainably produced timber products;
- Coordinating with TNC scientists and external partners to identify and test forest management practices that increase the health, resilience and productivity of native forests.
The Forestry Program Director will work closely with the Chapter’s senior management to develop, manage, and update a comprehensive conservation business plan that integrates a suite of complementary strategies (including land protection, restoration, science and policy) to achieve the goals and objectives of the portfolio of projects described above. Additionally, they will collaborate with TNC staff at regionally and nationally to ensure that forest conservation work in Michigan contributes to the outcomes outlined in TNCs Shared Conservation Agenda. Finally, the Forestry Program Director fills a leadership role within The Nature Conservancy’s Marquette office, including responsibilities for community and member relations and donor management in conjunction with communications and philanthropy staff.
The Forestry Program Director provides technical, management and operational support to Conservancy conservation operations related to forestry and forest land management. They serve as a principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community related to forestry. They maintain and expand the Conservancy’s reputation as a knowledgeable and practical forestry conservation partner, define forest conservation priorities, lead and manage a team which supports and improves conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field. The Forestry Program Director develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, and engages community support for local conservation efforts. They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that requires cross-boundary work and relationships;
- Responsible for managing recommendations and tracking actions that result from FSC audits;
- Key TNC lead for implementation of TNC-approved carbon projects in Michigan with associated subtasks and link to North America project staff;
- Supervises project staff;
- Works as part of a larger team focused on innovation and transformation of forest policies and practices;
- Collaborates closely with agency, industry and other stakeholders to accomplish project goals;
- Responsible for administration and oversight of contractors, contracts and agreements;
- Makes independent decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context;
- Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget;
- Seeks public and private funding for the program;
- Oversees grants and contracts required to execute projects;
- Frequently makes independent strategic decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context;
- Negotiates complex agreements in a dynamic environment;
- May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program;
- Frequent travel locally and regionally, evening and weekend hours;
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 7 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Education, training, and/or experience with current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) (e.g., forest management, policy, finance) and regions;
- Experience and drive in managing complex or multiple collaborative projects with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders develop innovative solutions;
- Experience communicating clearly for a wide variety of audiences (e.g., general public, governmental, business, academic) via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages;
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development and facilitation with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies;
- Experience negotiating and managing contracts and agreements, and managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
BONUS SKILLS
- 7-10 years’ experience in the forestry sector or related field;
- Politically savvy;
- Familiarity with fundraising, including identifying funding opportunities, writing proposals, and cultivating donors;
- 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.
- Ability to navigate an environment with complex social and economic drivers;
- Knowledge of current trends and practices within forest industry and federal/state agencies, especially related to FSC certification;
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations to achieve project goals;
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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.