Southeast Region Coordinator

Who we are:

The Forest Stewards Guild, a national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals, is dedicated to practicing and promoting responsible forestry as a means of sustaining the integrity of forest ecosystems and the people dependent upon them. The Guild has 700 members, over half of whom are professionals who manage over 42 million acres of forestland in the United States and Canada. The Guild has programs and staff offices in New Mexico, Maine, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

position description:

A key focus of the Southeast Coordinator will be to support the planning, implementation, and coordination of forestry projects across a range of programs in Central Appalachia. This position will conduct forestry site visits, inspections, and monitoring, assist with contractor management and reporting, and help oversee and support a seasonal forestry crew. Key projects include seasonal crew coordination in New River Gorge National Park and site inspections in Virginia and Pennsylvania. This position will require frequent summer travel. The coordinator will also contribute to outreach, education, and community engagement efforts and may support fire projects as funding and capacity allow. This position will work closely with the Southeast Manager, regional field staff, contractors, and partners to ensure successful implementation of forestry and stewardship initiatives.

This position is intentionally designed to be flexible and responsive to organizational needs. While there is sufficient funding and workload to support a primary focus on National Park Service projects in the near term, this role is structured to evolve over time based on emerging priorities, funding opportunities, and the coordinator’s strengths and interests.

Primary Job Duties:

• Conduct forestry site inspections and monitoring to support NPS project implementation and compliance
• Frequent travel during the field season, including regular summer travel to New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia and throughout Virginia (e.g. Fredericksburg & Richmond Nat. Battlefield Park) and Pennsylvania (e.g. Delaware Water Gap & Gettysburg)
• Assist with training, oversight, and support of seasonal forestry crews and interns, including coordination of field logistics and day-to-day activities
• Assist with contractor oversight and contract management, including inspections, documentation, and communication with partners
• Assist with networking and program development in the Virginia’s Central Appalachian region
• Organize and host educational workshops (virtual & in-person) for forest industry partners
• Maintain organized records, field notes, and project documentation,
• Support outreach, education, and community engagement efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry, forest ecology, natural resources, or similar field
• Knowledge of Central Appalachian forest ecosystems and communities
• experience with field-based forestry work
• Experience planning facilitating workshops or other meetings or trainings
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Comfort working independently and as part of a remote team across multiple projects
• Willingness to travel frequently during the field season
• Valid driver’s license
• Flexibility and humility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience implementing, inspecting, and/or monitoring forest restoration projects
• Experience supervising/instructing implementation of natural resource management projects (or outdoor education instruction experience)
• Familiarity in implementing silvicultural techniques (e.g. thinning, crop tree release, mid-story removal) using chemical methods (e.g. hack & squirt, cut stump, basal spray)
• Experience, interest, or qualifications in prescribed fire
• Experience with producing print and digital media content
• Competency with using Esri ArcGIS
• Relevant Certifications (e.g. Wilderness First Aid, CPR)
• State Pesticide Applicators License or experience as a Registered Technician

Location

This is a remote position and the individual will work with the Southeast team. The individual will be required to travel to North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Applicants living in the southwest or west central regions of Virginia are preferred though not required.

Compensation and Benefits Package  

• The position is a regular, full-time position.
• $27.50 – $29.00 per hour.
• Up to 64 hours paid sick leave per year accrued from the first day of employment.
• Paid leave is accrued monthly from the first day of employment.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Employer-sponsored comprehensive health and dental care coverage is available after 30 days of employment.
• Short and long-term disability policies paid by the Guild after 60 days of employment.
• Life insurance provided by the Guild after 60 days.
• Flexible compensation plan is available after 60 days.
• Retirement plan with an employer match is available after 90 days.
• Family Leave after 12 months, including up to six weeks paid leave and six weeks unpaid leave.
• Compassionate leave after first day of employment

The Guild is dedicated to providing an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting staff from underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a work culture that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports a healthy work-life balance, and provides an environment that supports career, and personal growth.