Wildfire Jobs (NOW HIRING)

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time, exempt, 5-Year term position that will play a lead role in the development of a cohesive suite of cross-boundary wildfire resilience activities. The Wildfire Resilience Systems Specialist will collaborate closely with NFF conservation staff to provide materials, advice, and support for developing a core portfolio of high-priority, cross-boundary landscape initiatives.

About the NFF: The NFF works with communities and organizations to conserve and enhance the watersheds, wildlife habitat, wild places, and recreational opportunities across the 193-million-acre National Forest System. The NFF seeks to engage all Americans in this work. 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 Wildfire Resilience Systems Specialist reports to the Wildfire Resilience Enterprise Director. NFF Enterprise Programs provide subject matter expertise, organization-wide coordination, and support to NFF Field Programs to ensure programs and projects align with our mission, shared goals, and address cross-cutting risks. Positioned with a comprehensive view of all NFF efforts, these programs surface lessons learned, catalyze and incubate new initiatives, and may offer surge capacity and early project management. The incumbent is a leading member of an internal team responsible for the development, deployment, and continuous improvement of replicable approaches to enhance wildfire resilience across all jurisdictions leading to healthy ecosystems and resilient communities. The Specialist, in close collaboration with staff across a range of internal NFF teams and partners, will establish tools, resources and analytical systems to ensure efficient program delivery. The Specialist will work with partners both locally and nationally to support program goals.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Wildfire Resilience Systems Specialist will:

• Work closely with NFF Staff to plan and support cross-boundary fire resilience efforts across multiple years including landowner and partner engagement and technical and financial assistance.
• Design, implement, and refine analytical systems that generate output- and outcome-based performance indicators, including tools for tracking, modeling, and evaluating program efficiency, scalability, and long-term impact.
• Conduct research and systems analysis to improve operational processes, strengthen program delivery and support adaptive management across a diverse landscape portfolio.
• Develop, maintain, and disseminate a coherent suite of tools, data systems and resources to support cross-boundary wildfire resilience planning and implementation.
• Provide technical expertise and effectively communicate internally and externally to support program goals.
• Drive innovation of new approaches tailored to local landscape dynamics while ensuing broader applicability and replicability.
• Work closely with NFF Staff to leverage partnerships locally and nationally.
• Build and develop a close and mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. Forest Service, the NFF, and other state, federal, local government, and NGO partners.
• Inform outyear program budget and capacity forecasts and, as applicable, develop capacity building efforts to align with current and projected on-the-ground needs.
• Provide leadership and potential supervision for staff performing related systems and program support functions.
• Lead team meetings, synthesize lessons learned, identifying system bottlenecks, and coordinating troubleshooting across teams.
• Support NFF’s Advancement team in identifying, pursuing, and stewarding new and additional program funding opportunities.
• Review and provide due diligence for incoming and outgoing grants, contracts, and agreements ensuring alignment with program goals and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with Enterprise staff to integrate applicable systems, processes, and tools that institutionalize lessons learned and enhance organizational efficiencies and impact.
• Effectively communicate with and engage the public in caring for their National Forests and Grasslands through community-based conservation initiatives.
• Stay current on emerging trends, policy developments, and innovations in conservation, wildfire resilience, and systems-based program design to strengthen NFF’s strategic effectiveness.

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Wildfire Resilience Systems Specialist possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a natural resources-related field (or equivalent experience).
• A minimum of 5 years of experience with proven results in conservation programming and success in developing data driven analyses, tools, and methodologies to advance landscape scale work. Proficiency in GIS applications preferred.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with fire risk reduction activities across jurisdictions, including the U.S. Forest Service.
• Experience in project planning, management, accomplishment, budget tracking, and project operations management that involve multiple implementation partners, contractors, contracts for services, and funding sources.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
• A deep understanding of natural resources and conservation issues across the Western U.S.
• Familiarity with and knowledge of the history and peoples the Western U.S., including lived experience, work, and/or training based in or connected to Native communities and/or other groups underrepresented in conservation.
• Familiarity with social marketing approaches and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects simultaneously and clearly bring projects to completion.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Wildfire Resilience Program Manager to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Strong analytics and innovative problem-solving skills, focused on producing measurable results.
• Both personable and flexible with the ability to work under pressure and adapt based on what is learned through experience
• Results-oriented with a keen understanding of the steps necessary to achieve goals on deadline and within budget.
• Time management skills, with the ability to prioritize, coordinate and manage multiple priorities.
• A sound work ethic with the ability to act both independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong initiative; a self-starter with tenacity, resilience, and high energy. A strong team player.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to effectively plan and problem solver.
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about community-based conservation and forest restoration projects.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to represent the NFF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record.

Location: The location for this position is flexible throughout the lower 48 continental United States. This position is a remote/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 $95,000 to $106,875, with the ability to grow to $118,750 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 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.