Conservation Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $61,884.16 - $102,119.68 Annually
Location : Klamath, CA
Job Type: Full Time Exempt
Job Number: 202600078
Division: Natural Resources
Department: Forestry
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Yurok Forestry Department, the Forest Carbon Project Manager is responsible for managing multiple forest carbon sequestration projects in accordance with California Cap and Trade Program protocols, tribal land management plans and agreements, tribal ordinances, and all other applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The Forest Carbon Project Manager will oversee and supervise all tribal staff, contractors, and consultants necessary to successfully manage and sustain multiple forest carbon sequestration projects. The position will work under the supervision of the Forestry Director to integrate carbon project actions with existing resource plans and agreements, while complimenting and supporting sustained yield management of all tribal forestry resources. Works to integrate forest carbon management with ongoing trust and fee timber harvest rotations, cultural burning programs, and other resource management efforts. This position is responsible is responsible for all forest carbon project planning, development, management, sales, policy, and public relations needed for successful management of tribal forest carbon projects; and serves as primary tribal lead on for carbon offset sales, public policy, and public relations needed for successful management of tribal forest carbon projects.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Forest Carbon Project Manager develops, registers, manages, and assures that forest carbon projects are consistent with existing tribal resource plans, programs, and projects, as well as current state forest carbon program protocols and regulatory requirements.
2. Reviews timber harvest plans, restoration and conservation plans, road construction and maintenance plans, and cultural and prescribed burning plans to ensure integration with tribal forest carbon projects.
3. Provides leadership, coordination, and direction to:
4. Develop and register forest carbon projects.
5. Guides staff and/or consultants to establish and survey forest carbon inventory plots.
6. Reviews and quality controls all carbon plot inventory data
7. Prepares quantitative estimates of standing forest carbon, and future carbon sequestration.
8. Works with third-party carbon verifiers to ensure compliance with all CA program protocols and regulations.
9. Inform Tribal Council and relevant Yurok staff of ongoing carbon project issues.
10. Prepares and revises short- and long-range carbon sequestration projections in collaboration with sustainable timber harvest, and land management, and restoration and conservation plan for tribal forest lands.
11. Reviews annual and/or periodic carbon project plans and schedules to determine compliance with long-range resource management plans; and to set up areas and priorities for carbon project development, timber stand improvements, and other forest treatments to increase forest carbon sequestration.
12. Develops, overseas, manages, and advises the Yurok Tribal Council on all contracts and agreements required to support forest carbon projects.
13. Directs and supervises tribal forestry staff to collect forest inventory plot data, implement forest improvement projects, ensure access, and other field tasks to support carbon modelers/contractors, and third-party carbon sequestration modeling verifications.
14. Reviews, interprets, and verifies all carbon inventory data, sequestration model estimates, and works with verifiers to ensure full compliance with CA Air Resources Board regulations.
15. Responsible for advising NR Division and Executive staff, and Council on state and federal forest carbon policy matters, as well as other public relations.
16. Collaborates and cooperates with other staff to support and successfully execute compliance and voluntary carbon offset sales agreements.
17. Develop long-term tribal carbon management vision in order to create additional economic opportunities for tribe and tribal members.
18. Performs other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
1. G10: Bachelor of Science degree in related field with two years of job specified experience.
2. G11: Bachelor of Science degree in related field with three years of job specified experience.
3. Employees must be willing to acquire any special certifications or attend any training that is determined to be relevant or becomes required of the position in the future.
4. Candidates with equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. A broad and fundamental knowledge of, and experience using, intensive forestry practices, multiple land use management principles, forest ecology, and conservation concepts and applications in order to advance and execute plans and programs consistent with existing policies, and agreements.
2. Knowledge of factors and trends affecting maximum utilization of the forestry resource in order to meet all legal and administrative requirements regulating forest carbon projects and sales agreements.
3. Familiarity with forest inventory metrics, data collection, analyses, QA/QC, and computer-based forest inventory and carbon modeling applications to support successful management of forest carbon projects, and subsequent sales agreements.
4. Knowledge of natural resources management, ecology, ecosystems, zoology, wildlife habitat and habitat rehabilitation is sufficient to formulate harvest plans designed for the preservation, protection of natural and cultural resources, while maximizing carbon capture rates.
5. Knowledge of capacities, capabilities and skills of personnel, equipment, materials, and budgetary requirements to formulate and execute viable strategies to maximize forest health, resource restoration, and forest carbon sequestration.
6. Knowledge and ability to read and interpret maps, surveys, and plats; and to locate boundaries and markers.
7. Physical fitness capable of meeting physical demands of the job required while making on- site examinations of conditions and/or activities. Includes walking and climbing or driving over very rough terrain.
8. Ability to work safely in the field, especially during logging and forest improvement operations or other hazardous conditions.
9. Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
10. Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on short notice, sometimes on weekends.
11. Excellent technical and formal professional writing skills.
12. Knowledge base of forest ecology of Coastal Temperate Rainforest-Yurok Reservation.
13. Modeling and quantitative projections of forest carbon capture/sequestration.
14. Analyzing and interpretation of forest carbon sequestration model estimates.
15. Development of carbon projects that are fiscally and ecologically responsible.
16. Familiarity with Voluntary Carbon and Cap and Trade markets in California and CA Air Resources Board Regulations.
17. Analyzing and assessing preexisting forest inventory data.
18. Ability to prepare carbon and timber inventory review and planning and biomass and carbon volume modeling.
19. Working knowledge of Forest Project Protocol Versions 3.1 and 3.2 prepared by the Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
20. Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret forest measurements, summarize field work, estimate carbon stocks, and estimate forest inventory precision.
21. Cost benefit analysis between sustainable timber harvest and future carbon potential.
22. Experience working with a wide range of people, such as tribal members, environmental NGOs, landowners, corporate executives, and government officials.
23. Experience negotiating complex jurisdictional, legal, and sales agreements.
24. Grant writing and grant management experience.
25. Supervisory experience and experience managing diverse teams.
26. Experience in developing and managing multiple projects and timelines.
27. Experience working with computers, including quantitative database management.
28. Knowledge of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Forestry Rules and California Forest Practice Rules.
29. Recognition that in order to serve Yurok People one must know as much as possible about Yurok history, culture and values.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs the full range of supervisory duties and responsibilities. Plans work of subordinates based on priorities, nature of assignment. Develops work performance plans and evaluates the performance of subordinates. Provides advice, instruction, and guidance to subordinates on work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary actions and determines developmental training needs of employees. Supervises subordinate employees including assigning and reviewing work, evaluation performance, training, taking necessary disciplinary action and making hiring and termination decisions with Director. Use and promote a team approach to management and ensure accountability throughout the workplace.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
1. All applicants are subject to the Tribe's Drug and Alcohol Policy including pre-employment screening.
2. All applicants will acknowledge and follow all Yurok Tribe personnel and other policies and procedures.
3. The Yurok Tribe is an equal opportunity employer who exercises Indian preference; Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472).
4. Valid state issued driver's license and/or the ability to obtain a California driver's license. Must be insurable on the Tribe's insurance policy.
5. Must pass a background investigation and fingerprint clearance.
6. Position could require travel and occasional work outside of regular work schedule.
We offer complete benefits package to full-time employees including:
*Medical *Dental *Vision
*Life Ins. *Rx *AirMed (Air Ambulance)
*401k *401k match (up to 4%)
*16 Paid Holidays *free Calm app (meditation/music channel)
*Employee Assistance Program
Part-time employees who work an average of 30 hours per week
over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
01
Did you upload your Tribal ID? Type N/A if not applicable.
02
Did you upload your documentation for Yurok Spouse or Yurok Household? Type N/A if not applicable.
Required Question