Forest Management Specialist

The Nature Conservancy•Abingdon, VA

2d•$60,000 - $67,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Forest Management Specialist supports the implementation of sustainable forest management and restoration practices and has responsibility for general land stewardship on 23,000 acres in the Clinch Valley Conservation Forestry Program, located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. The position also provides technical support for new forestland protection projects in southwestern Virginia through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. Under the supervision of the Conservation Forestry Program Manager, the position helps coordinate a variety of forest management activities on TNC-owned lands and Forest Management Easements included in the 23,000-acre Conservation Forestry Program. The Forest Management Specialist develops and updates management plans and provides oversight of sustainable timber harvesting, stand improvements, and forest restoration activities. They conduct timber, carbon, and other ecological inventories. They have responsibility for boundary posting, infrastructure maintenance, and relationship management with key stakeholders including landowners enrolled in the program, hunt clubs, and agricultural lessees. They also work with volunteers, interns, and agency partners to steward and improve the ecological condition of TNC managed lands. They also assist in maintaining compliance with third-party certification standards including Forest Stewardship Council® FSC® certification. Through these activities, the Forest Management Specialist assists the implementation of climate resilient forest management. Furthermore, the position also collaborates with other TNC staff to support forest protection projects through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) in western Virginia, assisting in timber and carbon inventories, monitoring, and management plan development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in forestry or another relevant natural resource field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience managing contractors, or volunteers.
Relationship building skills and ability to cultivate partnerships with a variety of program stakeholders including rural landowners, neighbors, hunt clubs, agricultural lessees, government agency partners., etc.
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
Experience using GPS and GIS Software
Experience working in physically strenuous settings sometimes to the point of physical fatigue, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and on difficult and potentially hazardous terrain.
Must have valid driver's license.
Position will frequently travel to field sites.

Nice To Haves

Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Experience working in Southwest Virginia or Central Appalachia appreciated.
3-5 years’ experience in active forest management, restoration, and/or land stewardship, preferably in Appalachian landscapes and/or hardwood systems.
Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
Familiarity with principles of sustainable forest management, preferably Forest Stewardship Council ® FSC® certification.
Familiarity with forest carbon project principles.
Familiarity with principles of land acquisition or similar asset acquisition.
Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in sustainable forestry, conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
Professional certifications and/or credentials in forestry (registered forester: preference for SAF Certified Forester (CF) or Candidate Certified forester (CCF), herbicide application (Certified Commercial Applicator or Registered Technician), chainsaw/logging (e.g. S-212, Virginia DCR Sawyer Apprentice, SHARP logger), prescribed/wildland fire (e.g. Firefighter Type 2), or other relevant natural resource topics.
Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means.

Responsibilities

Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, context, and input from the Conservation Forestry Program Manager.
May supervise volunteers and interns.
Leads stewardship activities and facilitates stakeholder relationship management relevant to Conservation Forestry Program properties.
Conducts forest and ecological inventories and develops forest management plans.
Collects and analyzes various types of data including GPS data and produces maps using GIS software.
Oversees contractors, forestry consultants and loggers.
Monitors logging and general operations on the Conservation Forestry Program, as well as restoration/ forest improvement on partner/private landowner forests as needed.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.