Southeast Reforestation Specialist

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an exempt, full-time, position that will provide technical support to successfully plan, develop, implement, and manage a complex portfolio of restoration and forest resilience projects on National Forests in the Southern Region. The Southeast Reforestation Specialist will facilitate collaborative efforts, manage complex funding mechanisms, and help oversee the reforestation program, working collaboratively with NFF’s technical advisory and field teams and the U.S. Forest Service.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy. 

Position Function: The Reforestation Specialist reports directly to the Senior Reforestation Specialist and works closely with NFF’s Reforestation and Southeastern Field programs, U.S. Forest Service staff, and other local partners. The incumbent will provide technical support and subject matter expertise for forest restoration and reforestation projects, working in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and partner organizations. In coordination with Reforestation staff on NFF’s National Enterprise and Field Programs, this position will support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of reforestation activities that enhance ecological integrity, improve wildlife habitat, increase forest resilience, and support local communities.

Initial priorities include supporting projects aimed at restoring forests heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. The objectives are to restore desirable tree species and composition in storm-impacted areas in hardwood, mixed pine and hardwood, pine-dominated systems, and high elevation red spruce systems. Other priorities include longleaf and shortleaf pine restoration and oak restoration across other Southern Region National Forests.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Southeast Reforestation Specialist is responsible for the following duties: 

Project Planning & Guidance

• Work closely with the U.S. Forest Service, and NFF Reforestation and Southeastern-based Field teams to develop and expand the NFF’s scope of reforestation work and activities across the Southeast, with an initial focus on National Forests in North Carolina.
• In geographic areas where NFF Field staff aren’t currently supporting National Forests locally, remotely manage a strategic portfolio of projects through their full life cycle, including project planning and treatment recommendations, contracts, and related budgets for services related to the on-the-ground implementation and coordination with various partners.
• Projects may include, but not be limited to, data collection, site assessments, forest inventories, monitoring, and recommending treatment units and unit sequencing, unit layout.
• Work closely with the Forest Service and partners to develop reforestation implementation plans and associated activities; identify and prioritize reforestation sites using ecological, silvicultural, and climate adaptation criteria.

Technical Support & Guidance

• Serve as a member of a National Enterprise Program to rigorously develop best practices and deepen expertise in all aspects of reforestation, based on a national portfolio of projects, to provide guidance and support to NFF Field Teams and position NFF as a recognized thought leader in reforestation efforts.
• Collaborate within NFF Enterprise team, Field teams, and Forest Service partners to develop a system of national and regional reforestation technical guidance resources for implementing staff. Resources shall include, but not be limited to, workflows, training materials, standard operating procedures and best practices, planting protocols, procurement templates, and standard technical guidance.
• In a similar manner, identify and document critical needs and challenges to address reforestation in the Southeastern Region. Provide silvicultural and ecological expertise, recommend adaptive management strategies, and provide seed and species selection guidance to Field staff to ensure restoration strategies align with regional forest management goals.
• Maintain knowledge of scientific advances, current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in reforestation and forest management to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
• In coordination with NFF GIS, Impact, and additional NFF teams, support implementing Field staff by collecting, analyzing, and reporting out on impact metrics, including leveraging GIS datasets to prepare progress reports, technical summaries, and communication materials for funders and agency partners.
• Work with the NFF Advancement and Marketing teams to support project fundraising and engaging storytelling efforts that enhance awareness of Southeastern reforestation.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships among federal and state agency partners, local government, tribal partners, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners to carry out effective collaborative partnerships.

education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Southeast Reforestation Specialist to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, ecology, natural resource management, a related field; or, professional certification or equivalent experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of forestry and renewable resource management.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in forestry, ecological restoration, reforestation, and/or project planning.
• Knowledge of southeastern forest ecosystems, native tree species, and silvicultural practices, and general reforestation needs and challenges, especially on National Forest System lands (preferred).
• Experience with nursery operations, seed collection, and tree planting methods preferred.
• Familiarity with federal land management practices, especially U.S. Forest Service procedures.
• Proficiency with GIS, GPS, and data management systems.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work in remote field settings and under varying weather conditions; willingness to travel regionally.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service’s purpose and National Forest lands management.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Southeast Reforestation Specialist to possess the following proven abilities and skills: 

• Ability and drive for continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about forest restoration projects.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to represent the NFF clearly and professionally through excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Experience with GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record, as frequent travel to remote work sites is required.

Location: The ideal location for this position is in the central southern Appalachians, ideally Western North Caroline/Southwestern Virginia/Eastern Tennessee. This position is a remote/work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace. Frequent travel will be required.

Compensation: Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The starting salary range for this position is $83,800 to $101,275, with the ability to grow to $118,750 based on performance outcomes over time and assessed annually.

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.

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.