Central Sierra Project Coordinator

Central Sierra Project Coordinator

The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an Exempt, Full-time, 3-Year Term position that will build partnerships and connections to support the development and implementation of conservation projects and programs across the Central Sierra Region, with a primary focus on the Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1990. 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 Central Sierra Project Coordinator reports directly to the Central Sierra Program Manager and works closely with California and Nevada-based program staff as well as 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. The position will focus primarily on projects located within the Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Central Sierra Project Coordinator will:

• Work closely U.S. Forest Service partners to identify new projects related to forest health, wildfire risk reduction, community resilience, watershed improvement, ecosystem restoration, and recreation enhancement projects.
• Lead 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.
• Work 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.
• Work with the U.S. Forest Service to help develop, modify, manage, and track Stewardship Agreements and Challenge Cost Share Agreements for new and existing stewardship projects.
• Support the expansion of the base of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing grants.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships among the U.S. Forest Service, California NGO partners, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Strengthen 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.
• Serve as a point of contact for the NFF conservation activities in the Tahoe area.
• Assist 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 Central Sierra Project Coordinator to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, in conservation, forestry, planning, landscape design, recreation planning, environmental science or related field.
• 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 Central Sierra Project Coordinator to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• A strong attention to detail with an organized approach to daily work.
• Excellent research and analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communications skills, including strong and succinct persuasive writing.
• Ability to cultivate new donor relationships.
• Ability to effectively set priorities, while managing a variety of projects and tasks to successful completion.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and maintain neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests and beyond.
• Work in outdoor conditions.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• A valid U.S. Divers License and clean driving record.

Location: The location for this position can be based in a community within or near the Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests. Preferable locations in are Grass Valley, Colfax, Auburn or Placerville. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout the Central Sierra region. 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 $75,000 to $86,250, 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 reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will close on August 15th, 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.