Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist

National Forest Foundation • NA- Remote, MT

5d • Remote

About The Position

The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is seeking an Exempt, Full-time Contracts and Procurement Associate Specialist to coordinate outgoing service contracts, purchases, and other similar actions to advance the organization’s operational and administrative procurement needs. The NFF, chartered by Congress in 1990, is the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS) and works with communities and organizations across the country to advance forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all. The Foundation has experienced significant growth in programmatic impact, revenue, 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Paralegal Certification with 7 years of relevant experience in procurement and contracting.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to collaborate with internal clients on procurement transactions and contract negotiations.
• Ability to synthesize or translate procurement and contract concepts into lay terminology.
• Ability to identify and minimize legal, financial, reputational, and operational risks in procuring software and goods and services related to marketing and communications and fundraising.
• Ability to make strategic procurement decisions that effectively balance operational speed with compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and prioritize effectively.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong customer service, troubleshooting, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong self-motivation and the ability to meet deadlines independently in a remote setting.
• A good sense of humor, flexibility, resilience, and ability to work well under tight deadlines.
• Clear and professional written and oral communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills, with high proficiency in Microsoft 365, including SharePoint, Teams, and Word.
• Willingness to be available to train, mentor, or assist program staff.

Nice To Haves

• JD and 4 years of relevant experience in procurement and contracting.
• A foundational understanding of federal procurement regulations, contracting principles and guidelines, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supporting colleagues/direct reports.
• Familiarity with the USDA Forest Service preferred.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF.

Responsibilities

• Work with staff to develop procurement strategies for purchases.
• Assist in the development and review of solicitations.
• Conduct vendor due diligence, including financial stability assessments, past performance reviews, and compliance checks.
• Lead the review and negotiation of procurement contracts, identifying, analyzing, and making recommendations to mitigate legal, financial, reputational, and operational risks to the organization.
• Develop and implement policies, standards, requirements, and processes to reduce legal, financial, reputational and operational risks.
• Lead, mentor, and support colleagues and direct reports (if assigned), fostering a culture of trust, engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
• Train and advise staff on NFF procurement processes and requirements.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Training & Development Programs.
• Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year.
• The opportunity to support an incredible mission.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level