Community Forest Catalyst

The Nature Conservancy•Forestville, MD

5d•$78,480 - $83,400

About The Position

The Nature Conservancy in Alaska seeks a Regional Community Forest Catalyst to support and grow community forest partnerships in Southeast Alaska, currently operating in Hoonah, Kake, and Klawock. These partnerships bring together local coordinators, community councils or steering committees, technical teams, and field crews to carry out habitat restoration, young-growth forest treatments, fish passage and watershed work, subsistence access improvements, and monitoring on the Tongass National Forest and adjacent lands. The partnerships support local stewardship jobs, community decision-making in forest management, and funding for community projects. Working at community and regional levels, the Catalyst provides technical leadership, facilitation, coordination, and capacity-building. The role supports fundraising and grant writing, workforce development, land-management planning, project coordination, stewardship implementation, and regional collaboration while ensuring community priorities guide decisions. It works closely with Regional and Community Catalysts in the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP), and reports directly to the Southeast Alaska Program Director. The position is based flexibly within Southeast Alaska and requires frequent travel throughout the region, including travel by small aircraft and boat. Work may involve variable weather, remote locations, difficult or hazardous terrain, and physically demanding circumstances. The position may also work with youth through stewardship and partnership programs. A valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program are required; employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review. The U.S. starting pay range is $78,480–$83,400, with actual pay dependent on factors including location, qualifications, skills, and experience.

Requirements

BA/BS in forestry, natural resources, or a related field and five years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience coordinating partnerships or collaborative projects among multiple organizations.
Experience writing grants, managing awarded funds, and completing reporting.
Experience organizing training events or working with field crews.
Experience traveling by small aircraft or boat to rural communities and/or staying multiple days in remote areas.
Experience with common office software, including Microsoft Office, Teams, Box, and web browsers.
Valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement is required and may include review of the applicant’s motor vehicle record.
Ability to work in variable weather, remote locations, difficult or hazardous terrain, and physically demanding circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Experience working directly with Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, or other Indigenous communities through employment or partnership.
Experience working effectively in rural, remote, or Indigenous-led communities.
Experience across Southeast Alaska landowner contexts, including the Tongass National Forest, Alaska Native corporations, State and municipal lands, and Tribal stewardship interests.
Experience with USDA Forest Service processes and partnership pathways, including NEPA, agreements, stewardship contracting, and Good Neighbor Authority.
Experience with forest restoration, young-growth management, fish passage, or watershed restoration in Southeast Alaska or similar systems.
Experience facilitating or convening organizations that have no formal obligation to one another.
GIS, spatial analysis, or data-management skills, including ArcGIS Online.
Experience supervising or training field crews.
Specialized field training, such as chainsaw, first aid, CPR, or wilderness first aid certifications.
Experience explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience working independently, managing multiple project timelines, and exercising sound judgment far from the office.

Responsibilities

Represent the Sustainable Southeast Partnership as a regional catalyst by attending regional gatherings, collaborating within the network, and connecting partners to broader TNC networks, including the Emerald Edge Network.
Provide technical assistance and coordinate projects supporting community forest partnerships in Hoonah, Kake, and Klawock.
Build relationships and cooperation with partner organizations, Tribal governments, agencies, and community groups to advance shared goals, influencing without formal authority.
Help communities connect economic opportunities related to non-old-growth forest products with long-term forest stewardship based on community priorities and needs.
Develop grant proposals, funding agreements, budgets, reports, and funding calendars.
Provide and facilitate field instruction, workforce development support, and training opportunities.
Coordinate regional collaboration among Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, nonprofits, agencies, and TNC staff.
Maintain shared partnership metrics, project data, maps, and reporting systems.
Ensure compliance with TNC policies, funder requirements, and partnership reporting obligations.
Support regional training, shared funding opportunities, and projects that require several crews to work together during part of a season.
May work with youth through stewardship and partnership programs.