Northern Sierra Project Coordinator

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer two 3-year term positions that will build partnerships and connections to support the development and implementation of conservation projects and programs across the California National Forests, with a primary focus on the Plumas National Forest. 

About the NFF: The National Forest Foundation inspires all people to embrace and protect our awe-inspiring natural world. In cooperation with hundreds of partners, we lead natural solutions that restore the health of our people and planet.

position Function: The Northern Sierra Project Coordinator reports directly to the Northern Sierra Program Manager and works closely with California-based program staff and other NFF staff to provide project management, contract management, and program development support. The incumbent is responsible for helping develop and implement conservation programs with the U.S. Forest Service, communities, conservation NGOs, and private sector partners to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals in California. The position will focus their work primarily within the Plumas National Forest. 

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Northern Sierra Project Coordinator is responsible for:

• Working with the U.S. Forest Service partners to help develop scopes of work for forest health, wildfire risk reduction, community resilience, watershed improvement, ecosystem restoration, and recreation enhancement projects.
• Leading the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to on-the-ground implementation of fuel reduction, commercial thinning, habitat restoration, critical access improvement, and community resiliency projects.
• Working directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, partners, and the U.S. Forest Service to coordinate on-the-ground implementation of fuel reduction, commercial thinning, habitat restoration, critical access improvement, and community resiliency projects effectively and efficiently.
• Working with the U.S. Forest Service to help develop, modify, manage, and track large-scale Stewardship Agreements and Challenge Cost Share Agreements associated with forest restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, commercial thinning, prescribed fire).
• Supporting expansion of the base of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing grants.
• Building and maintaining close and mutually beneficial relationships among the U.S. Forest Service, California NGO partners, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Strengthening the NFF ability to support on-the-ground restoration and recreation projects by supporting activities that reinforce existing collaborations and help build new partnerships; Maintaining a breadth of knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in the field of conservation programming to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
• Serving as a point of contact for the NFF conservation activities in the Plumas National Forest area.
• Assisting as necessary with the NFF program of work in the State of California, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.

education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Northern Sierra Project Coordinator to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or professional certification in conservation, forestry, environmental science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of work experience with conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation, preferably on federal lands.
• You must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Northern Sierra Project Coordinator to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• A strong attention to detail.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Creativity and initiative; ability to respond quickly to last-minute needs and changing priorities.
• Highly organized approach to daily work.
• Ability to represent the NFF clearly and professionally with excellent written and oral communications.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Strong and succinct persuasive writing.
• Ability to quickly synthesize or translate technical requirements into lay terminology.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Team player with a positive attitude and desire to solve complex technical problems.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Strong time management and organization skills to align workload with competing requests and departmental priorities.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Plumas National Forest and beyond.
• Work in outdoor conditions.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to understand and interpret conservation topics and project information.
• Ability to understand forest restoration treatment types and systems, including restoration prescriptions, on-the-ground operations, treatment specifications, guidelines, and desired conditions for a diversity of forest and watershed ecosystem projects.
• Ability to understand recreation infrastructure, community-based conservation, and forest and watershed restoration projects.
• Ability to understand wildfire mitigation and forest and watershed restoration projects.

Location: The location for this position can be based in a community within or near the Plumas National Forest. Preferable locations in California are Chico, Oroville, Quincy and Portola, and in Nevada, Reno. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout the Plumas National Forest. This position is a remote/work from home position and requires reliable internet access.

Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The starting salary range for this position is $68,000 to $82,750, with the ability to grow to $97,500 based on performance outcomes over time and assessed annually. NFF monitors mandated state minimum wage updates. Individual state conditions will be honored during the offer process.

Benefits: NFF is proud to offer our staff: 

Health and Wellness:

• Medical and dental insurance paid at 75% by the organization for you and any dependents.
• Vision insurance paid 50% by the organization for you and any dependents.
• Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878-$3,750 per year, predicated on coverage type.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one (1) year of service.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
• Whole life insurance at a discounted rate

Flexibility and time off:

• Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and holidays (annual leave accrual rates increase with years of service)
• Family & medical leave for up to sixteen (16) weeks with up to four (4) weeks paid.

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year.

Journey of a Lifetime:

• The opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to / work in spectacular locations.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Applications will be revied on a rolling basis. This posting will close on December 19th, or earlier if filled. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.

Apply Here

PI279995215