The Conservation Forester implements forest and property management operations on The Nature Conservancy’s Washington Coast Preserves conducting active forest restoration at a landscape scale. Working in a temperate coniferous rainforest environment, the Conservation Forester is responsible for managing contracts related to the day-to-day stewardship and forest management activities to meet ambitious conservation and restoration objectives while also delivering economic and community benefits.  This position works closely with a Washington Coast Team and is responsible for a wide variety of forest and project management duties including managing contracts and grants related to forest management, implementing and monitoring restoration projects such as commercial restoration thinning, pre-commercial thinning, reforestation, invasive species treatments, forest road improvements, road decommissioning, and road maintenance and general property management. To meet the Conservancy’s goals, The Conservation Forester will also help develop and foster strong community and partner relations.

The Conservation Forester works closely with a Washington Coast Team to carry out the following essential functions:

• Contract Management & Administration (50%)
• On-the ground Land Management & Forestry (40%)
• Community Relations (10%)

Contract Management & Administration (50%)

• Write, prepare, and administer, forestry-related contracts and grants and track spending against approved budgets.
• Monitor contracts in the field related to forestry and land management activities on TNC Preserves to ensure forestry management, logging, and heavy equipment contractors perform work to TNC contract specifications.

Land Management & Forestry (40%)

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to implement a variety of forest management and restoration projects including commercial and pre-commercial thinning; reforestation; invasive species management; forest road improvements, road decommissioning; general property management; and other forest and stream-related restoration projects.
• Implement ongoing property management activities such as road, trail and gate maintenance, garbage removal, and signing.
• Obtain permits for forest management, harvest operations,  road maintenance, and road decommissioning work.
• Complete third-party audits for certification according to Land Trust Accreditation and Forest Stewardship Council’s standards.
• Collect field data on forest inventory and habitat conditions.

Community Relations (10%)

• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, contractors, and community groups to ensure community needs are considered and incorporated to maximize project benefits to nature and people.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with TNC staff and a variety of contractors, landowners, community members, the public, scientists, and TNC donors.
• Process landowner use agreements and manage public access and recreational use as necessary.

Level of Responsibility

• This position reports to the Washington Forest Manager and may supervise technical, administrative and/or professional staff, interns or volunteers, with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
• Financial responsibility includes working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.

Within the scope of the position, The Conservation Forester will:

• Perform tasks with minimal supervision and make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
• Work collaboratively with and across internal TNC teams to coordinate project work and meet project outcomes and maintain flexibility in collaborating with individuals with different work styles internal and external to TNC.
• Develop and maintain the ability to use an equity lens in planning and implementing project work.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Use Geographic Information System (GIS) to assist in managing properties and creating maps for forestry projects.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Maintain TNC equipment, vehicles, and other resources.

Work Environment and Schedule

• This position will be based in a home office located within 1-2 hours from the project sites. Preferred locations are Forks, Montesano, Aberdeen, Hoquiam, South Bend, and Raymond Washington.
• This position requires weekly travel between project areas and overnight travel, primarily within Washington State.
• This is a field-based position with approximately 50% of the work occurring alone, outside in the forest environment, often in harsh weather conditions, at remote locations, on steep, difficult, and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• This position often requires extended and/or varied work hours, including work outside of normal business hours and on weekends.