Central Appalachian Forest Manager

The Central Appalachian Forest Manager establishes the Conservancy as a premier forest manager and conservation leader across the Central Appalachians. In Kentucky and Tennessee, the Forest Manager leads a team of foresters who are actively managing and restoring working forestland managed by the Conservancy. S/he manages all forest operations and general land management obligations on Conservancy properties, including: forest management planning, managing experienced forest consultants and contractors to accomplish conservation objectives, monitoring and managing budget, wood product marketing, and ensuring compliance with all contractual and permittee obligations pertaining to forest management (including forestland certification, carbon projects, and activities associated with 3rd party resource use activities). The Forest Manager ensures that the Conservancy’s forest practices balance sustainability and a commitment to long-term forest resiliency while demonstrating proof of concept for a novel economic model of conservation in the Central Appalachians. The Forest Manager will have direct oversight of prescriptions and responsibility for active forest management outcomes, including harvest operations and restoration projects implemented by forest consultants and contractors. S/he works in close collaboration with colleagues in Kentucky and Tennessee and from across the Conservancy with expertise in science, government relations, human resources, philanthropy, finance, and marketing to reach the Conservancy’s goals. The Forest Manager reports to the Kentucky Central Appalachians Project Director, and will work closely with the Conservancy’s NatureVest team.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE 

• Directs forest management planning, forest operations and certification across the Conservancy’s Appalachian working forestland in Kentucky and Tennessee.         
• Leads development of long-term forest planning regarding timber operations.
• Develop budgets and administer forestry operations to meet established financial targets.
• Responsible for oversight of an established forest carbon project registered with the California Air Resources Board.
• Responsible for obtaining and maintaining Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on the property.
• Establishes and maintains optimal standards of performance for the program while controlling costs.
• Responsible for oversight of forestry consultant who will conduct day-to-day operations of property.
• Manages contractor and consultant relationships, including preparing, negotiating and monitoring scope of work, issuing requests for proposals and selecting qualified contractors.
• Ensure forestry consultant maintains forest inventory, management, and forest harvest and sales data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) database.
• Ensures forest management meets conservation objectives and exceeds regulatory standards. Builds cooperation from outside partners and consultants/contractors to accomplish program goals.
• Monitors (and assists as needed) wood marketing in conjunction with contractors/consultants.
• Facilitate management of pre-existing mineral leases on the property, including maintaining relationships with coal and natural gas operators with operations on the property.
• Provides timely and accurate input to staff and contractors negotiating forestland acquisitions and sales.
• May work in variable and difficult weather conditions (including heat, heavy rain, and snow), at remote locations, on steep, difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned consistent with property management philosophy.