Oak Foundation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an Exempt, Full-time, 3-Year Term position that will create and implement an adaptative management framework for restoring ecological function in oak ecosystems in the Southern Tier National Forests of the USDA Forest Service Eastern Region. This is a 3-year term position, with the intent to grow into a permanent position, provided the incumbent’s success and adequate funding is established.

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 Eastern Oak Restoration Technician reports to the Eastern Reforestation Specialist and works closely with NFF Reforestation and Eastern Field Program staff, Forest Service partners, and other regional partners to increase and accelerate active oak management focused on the Southern Tier Oak Restoration Initiative (STORI) landscape. This includes the Shawnee, Hoosier, Wayne, Mark Twain, and Monongahela National Forests, and with an initial priority on Shawnee, Hoosier, and Wayne National Forests due to ecological need and agency capacity. In coordination with Reforestation staff from NFF’s National Enterprise Program, the incumbent will assist in supporting NFF staff by contributing to the development of programs of work, coordinating project implementation activities, supporting partner engagement, and utilizing technological tools that advance Southern Tier oak restoration initiatives.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Eastern Oak Restoration Technician will:

• Serve as a member of a National Enterprise Program to assist in the development of best practices and deepen expertise in reforestation to provide guidance and support to NFF Field Teams and position NFF as a recognized thought leader in reforestation efforts.
• Work closely with the U.S. Forest Service, and NFF Reforestation and Eastern-based field teams to develop and expand the NFF’s scope of reforestation work and activities related to oak ecosystem management.
• Support the completion of forest integrity assessments within defined project timelines and summarize baseline conditions through data analysis and reporting.
• Develop or contribute to reports that summarize baseline conditions, restoration needs, and project outcomes.
• In close coordination with the Forest Service, utilize technology, data visualization tools, and mapping platforms to support implementation actions, plans, and restoration strategy for forest establishment and improvement efforts.
• Coordinate implementation of restoration activities including scheduling, partner coordination, and planning meetings across project lifecycles.
• In geographic areas where there are no local NFF Field staff, remotely coordinate projects through their full life cycle, including procurement, contracting, and budgeting related to project implementation and coordination with various partners.
• Projects shall include forest vegetation improvement and establishment activities that increase the acreage assessed and under effective oak ecosystem management in the STORI landscape in accordance and consultation with the Forest Service.
• Stay abreast of oak restoration scientific advances and policy trends and incorporate and communicate those throughout this work.
• Work with the NFF Marketing and Advancement teams to develop engaging storytelling content that enhances awareness and supports fundraising efforts for oak restoration in the Southern Tier Landscape.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships and coordinate participation in regional meetings and collaborative efforts with federal, state, tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector partners.

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Eastern Oak Restoration Technician to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental sciences, a related field, or equivalent experience that demonstrates working knowledge of forestry and renewable resource management.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in forestry, conservation programs, ecological restoration, project planning, and/or project implementation.
• A strong understanding of forestry and oak ecosystem management and restoration in the Eastern US.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Eastern Oak Restoration Technician to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Ability and drive for continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to work independently, attend meetings, and manage projects with minimal oversight.
• Ability to conduct field assessments, including forestry implementation and monitoring data capture in the field, involving some travel on remote Forest roads, occasional hiking on rough terrain, occasional light tool use.
• Ability to represent the NFF with diverse constituents in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaboratively manage programs across multiple forests and landscapes and evaluate their outcomes against quantifiable measures of success.
• Ability to effectively manage a variety of projects and tasks to successful completion.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience with or willingness to learn GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis.
• Must have valid U.S. driver’s license and clean driving record, as frequent travel to remote work sites is required.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the STORI landscape.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail.

Location: The location for this position is in proximity to the STORI landscape which includes: Shawnee, Hoosier, Wayne, Mark Twain, and Monongahela National Forests, with a priority for a location near Shawnee, Hoosier, or Wayne. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout this region. This position is a work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace.

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.

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 1st, 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.