Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, but will consider living in close surrounding communities.  The Forest Program Director oversees implementation of the Conservancy’s Future Forest Project with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in northern Arizona and in furtherance of the Chapter’s strategic goals.

At the Chapter level, primary duties include representing the forest program in developing strategic goals for the Chapter and assisting the Director of Conservation in managing the overall conservation program as part of the Conservation Leadership Team.

At the program level, primary duties include:

(1)  implementation of the Master Stewardship Agreement, a project designed to accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration within the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, the largest restoration effort undertaken by USFS to date, and

(2) leading efforts to scale up the digital harvest management technology platform the Conservancy has developed on a national level and may have responsibility for other components of the Conservancy’s efforts to advance forest restoration at scale, including a regional approach to influence the forest service, statewide policy efforts and collaborating with industry and other stakeholders on the economics of forest restoration.

Overall, the position advances innovation and transformation in the preparation, administration, and implementation of forest restoration projects and serves as the primary internal and external contact for the forest program.  In this capacity, the position is responsible for developing multi-year and annual plans for the program, managing complex budgets and agreements, and working with operations, finance, development and leadership staff to ensure smooth operation of the program.

The position works as part of a larger cross-functional team of Conservancy staff and external partners including the Conservancy’s contractor and agent overseeing restoration work. Primary areas of focus for the Forest Program Director include:

1) Working with USFS to streamline business practices associated with preparation of timber sales to achieve the supply certainty needed to reach the restoration goals of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. The position is responsible for driving technological and business practice innovations to reduce the time and cost of releasing timber for harvest, and for documenting efficiencies to facilitate time and cost-comparisons with traditional practices. Approximately 25%

2) Working with USFS and industry partners to simplify implementation of forest operations and reduce the cost of mechanically harvesting timber. The position manages the contract and relationship with the Conservancy’s agent, providing input and oversight for implementation of the Conservancy’s agreements with USFS. The Program Director serves as liaison to the USFS Coordinator responsible for the Stewardship Agreement.  Approximately 35%

3)  Leading efforts to scale up the technology platform the Conservancy has developed on a national level.  This includes working with the Washington, DC office of the US Forest Service. Approximately 5%

4) Working with the Conservation Director to (1) assist in managing the overall conservation program by participating on the Conservation Leadership Team, (2) develop the Chapter strategic goals through the strategic planning process, and (3) work to develop position description for the Forest Director position.  Approximately 35%

 

• Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that requires cross-boundary work and relationships.
• Responsible for leading a program across a 2.4 million-acre forested landscape managed primarily by USFS.
• Supervises forest program staff; Works as part of a larger conservation team focused on innovation and transformation of agency business controls and forest operations.
• Collaborates closely with agency, industry and other stakeholders to accomplish project goals.
• Negotiates complex agreements.
• Responsible for administration and oversight of contractors, contracts and agreements.
• Prepares budgets, reviews financials, responsible for project reporting; and establishing and maintaining optimal performance standards within budget.
• Makes independent strategic decisions based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
• Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
• May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
• Frequent travel locally within Arizona which may include occasional overnight/weekends; and occasional travel out of state.
• May work in variable weather conditions at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.  May be walking or standing on varying types of terrain.
• Lift, push, pull, move 25 pounds.
• Other duties as required.