The Forest Project Manager serves as the principle contact to various, but targeted, audiences within the Okefenokee/Osceola O2) conservation area. This person is designated as a Local Implementation Team (LIT) by America's Longleaf Conservation Initiative and will serve as the Coordinator for the O2 LIT. The primary goal of the O2 LIT is to encourage the protection, restoration and management of the longleaf pine ecosystem at an ecologically significant scale within the conservation area. The Forest Project Manager will also serve as The Nature Conservancy’s lead for forestry-related needs on Osceola National Forest, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and with private landowners in the O2.
The Forest Project Manager supports and leverages the work of the O2 Local Implementation Team and manages stewardship contracts on Osceola NF. They provide technical leadership and support to the O2 landscape and addresses critical threats to the longleaf pine ecosystem through protection, restoration and management activities. They foster cross-site learning among conservation community and supply conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information. They develop and implement conservation strategies and implement a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. They coordinate community support and multiple projects, set deadlines and manage to completion. Additional work may include grant writing, contract administration, collecting and analyzing data, producing maps using GIS software and production of reports.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with federal, state and private landowners and other O2LIT partners.
- Builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity for implementing conservation objectives.
- Develops key local partnerships with both public and private organizations as well as individuals to foster support
- Develops and implements outreach strategies such as workshops, field tours, community events, volunteer activities, and presentations in support of the conservation program.
- Supervises technical, administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 3 years’ experience in forestry, natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing staff or volunteers.
- Experience building relationships and working closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, internal scientists.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Experience communicating via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
- Experience in training.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree and 3-5 years’ experience in forest management, natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated partnership-building experience.
- Knowledge of ecological forestry and land management principles.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in forestry, conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
- Familiarity with natural systems in South Georgia.
- GIS mapping skills.
- Experience with prescribed fire.
- Experience with timber sales.
- Contracts administration experience
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are 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.