Director, Pacific Northwest

ABOUT US 

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.  

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Resilient Forests team supports American Forests’ efforts to advance landscape scale, collaborative, climate informed forest restoration through place-based partnerships and workforce development. The team consists of managers, coordinators, foresters, scientists, analysts, and partnership experts who work collaboratively to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders and land managers. We are seeking an exceptional leader with significant experience with diverse teams covering large geographies, forest management, and partnership building. 

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Director will lead American Forests’ growing PNW Team in creating resilient forest landscapes through collaborative restoration and resilience treatments. This includes both managing and leveraging a robust portfolio of restoration projects on public and private lands with public and private funds and the overarching goal of accelerating the pace and scale of collective forest restoration across the PNW. The position directly reports to the Senior Director of Forest Restoration, but success in this position will require constant and two-way communication with all members of the PNW and Resilient Forests Teams. 

American Forests has a long history of partnering with the USDA Forest Service, State of Oregon and Washington, tribal nations, Conservation Districts, and others to implement restoration projects. This position will uphold the deep-rooted American Forests brand in the PNW through authentic and need-driven problem solving and exceptional project and program execution while empowering both the team and PNW partners to build back better! 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

Project Development and Completion (35%) 

• In collaboration with regional and national leadership, develop relationships and place-based projects with federal, state, local, and tribal governments as well as universities, NGOs, and private land managers.
• Produce necessary proposals, plans, applications, contracts, and agreements to implement regional projects.
• Function as the project lead on region wide projects and assist region staff on projects which they are lead.
• Conduct necessary data analysis, working group meetings, writing, presenting, etc. as specified in project agreements.
• Ensure projects are fully executed meeting expectations of the land managers, funders, and American Forests.
• Conduct site visits to evaluate restoration projects.

Strategic Scaling & Program Development (20%) 

• Build upon and grow the current PNW portfolio to replicate regional models across forested regions as appropriate with both local ecological and place-based considerations.
• Guide the strategic direction of the portfolio by identifying and developing impactful projects in other important landscapes to restore PNWs forests in partnership with state and federal agencies, local governments, tribes, and private land managers.
• Align and secure public and private funds to support such projects and ensure development goals align with the organizations Climate-Smart restoration goals and impact model. This includes providing strategic pathways through relationship building followed by guidance and review of contracts and grant applications wherever appropriate or necessary.
• Strategic Scaling and Program Development efforts should take place in partnership with the Sr. Director of Integrated Landscapes as well as the Director of Forest and Restoration Science.

Team Supervision/Support & Project/Program Oversite (15%) 

• Provide support for regional staff including developing and maintaining organization required employee specific work and development plans and ensuring staff have access to necessary tools and resources.
• Track and manage project financials, work closely with program and operations staff to find creative funding solutions and financial efficiency.
• Encourage cross-region consistency and collaboration mechanisms to ensure partner experiences and expectations are met while identifying and implementing efficiencies wherever possible in coordination with the Sr. Director of Landscapes Integration.

Partner Collaboration & Communication (10%) 

• Build, maintain, enhance, and grow relationships with nonprofit conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, tribal governments, and other public and private forest resilience stakeholders.
• Serve as an external spokesperson for the organization on matters of forest restoration. This will include speaking at conferences and meetings as appropriate.
• Gather and share information from forest restoration and resilience projects in partnership with the Sr. Director of Landscapes Integration and the American Forests team. This could include contributing to blog posts, magazine articles and other communications pieces.

Administration (10%) 

• Provide review and oversight of projects, including tracking project progress and documenting outcomes.
• Manage program budgets and financial reporting in close collaboration with the Finance and Business Operations team.
• Manage staffing and staff resource needs working closely with Human Resource and Finance teams.

Other Tasks and Duties (10%) 

• The incumbent will provide input and assistance on projects in other regions based upon their specific area of expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS 

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, Environmental Science or a related field desired; equivalent experience accepted in lieu of
• 7 years of relevant experience working for a non-profit organization and/or state or federal agency
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex management and scientific topics to a variety of audiences
• Region and expertise appropriate licenses, certificates, and credentials are preferred (e.g., California Registered Professional Forester, SAF Certified Forester, Certified Soil Scientist, ISA Certified Arborist, etc.)
• Extensive experience with Pacific Northwest forest types and operational reforestation, restoration, and resilience treatments and planning
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and employee well-being
• A proven track record in managing and guiding teams and an outstanding commitment to leadership
• Demonstrated experience in risk management, financial overview, and creative program development
• Experience developing innovative and creative initiatives
• Ability to generate measurable, on-the-ground results improving forest resilience

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS 

This position is a remote position that requires physical residence in Oregon or Washington state. Up to 15% of travel may be required to engage in key stakeholder meetings, events, and projects as funded, across the U.S and/or to 

American Forests’ headquarters in downtown Washington, DC. 

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.  

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS 

This position will support and supervise a growing team across the Pacific Northwest including a four-person field crew and the PNW Seed and Workforce Manager.  Additional positions are likely to be added to the program as workload and funding permit. 

COMPENSATION 

As required by local law, American Forests provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in California, Colorado, New York or Washington as set forth below. The salary range for this position is $72,041 to $129,673 with hired candidates likely falling between $80,000 to $100,000. The pay range is based on quartiles that correspond to education, experience, certifications and other qualifications. 

BENEFITS 

Benefits for full-time American Forests employees include:  

Medical, Dental, and Vision 

• Multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums are available along with standard vision and dental plans.
• A Flexible Spending Account is available for employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to cover the costs of approved health related expenses.

Disability and Life Insurance 

• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• $150,000 Basic life and AD&D insurance

Retirement Plan 

• Employees have the option to participate in a 401(k) retirement plan offered by American Forests, which provides a 6% match. Employees can contribute a pre-tax portion of their salary to this plan.

Paid Leave 

• 16 paid holidays
• 12 vacation days (accrued)
• 13 sick days (accrued)
• Parental leave
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Bereavement leave
• Military leave
• Summer Friday hours (partial workday)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

• As an employee of American Forests, a not-for-profit organization, if you meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Pet Benefit 

• Employees have access to discount pet services, including veterinary care, prescription medicine, and pet products.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.  

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ 

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.