Manager, Conservation Implementation

Position: Manager, Conservation Implementation
Supervisor: Director, Conservation Implementation 
Location: Flexible in continental U.S. (remote)
Status: Fixed Term (3 years), Full-Time, Exempt from Overtime (subject to extension based on funding and individual performance)

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION:
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) is a non-profit leader dedicated to advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. A key driver of SFI’s success is its ability to engage diverse communities to deliver across its 4 pillars: Standards, Conservation, Community, Education. At SFI, we aim to foster a culture where everyone feels valued, empowered, and supported in advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.

To facilitate informed decision-making and to make the case for the value of sustainability, SFI is working to quantify, grow, and communicate the conservation benefits of sustainable forest management – specifically the connection between sustainable forestry and outcomes important to key sustainability topics such as climate change, biodiversity, fire, and water. SFI Conservation pillar activities support the interpretation and implementation of SFI standards to document and expand their conservation and resilience outcomes for forests, nature, and people. To ensure objectivity and credibility, SFI engages in diverse collaborations across a broad range of research, academic, and conservation interests to help define, guide, implement, and measure Conservation pillar activities and outcomes.

ABOUT THE ROLE:
We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated natural resource professional, with a desire to work on our Team to identify and implement strategies that promote, achieve, and measure the conservation outcomes of SFI certified sustainable forest management. Communication and attention to detail are keys in this role, especially communicating complex scientific information to semi-technical users and tracking key project deliverables and timelines. The ideal candidate will have a strong science communication skillset, as well as a deep desire to connect with and help people. Reporting to the Director of Conservation Implementation, the Manager of Conservation Implementation provides critical support across SFI Conservation Programs. The Manager functions as a convener of collaborative efforts and provides project-level management of a breadth of work across the United States and Canada. In this role, you will: 

• Collaborate with and provide support to the Director of Conservation Implementation, including for diverse knowledge transfer efforts such as workshops, webinars, fact sheets, etc.
• Provide conceptual, logistic, and delivery-driven support to grant-funded projects. Support the development of new proposals.
• Support interpretation of technical reports and scientific literature about focal conservation themes
• Provide support to Certified Organizations in the interpretation and implementation of the SFI standards that lead to positive conservation outcomes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Collaborate with and support the Director of Conservation Implementation and support knowledge transfer efforts to ensure relevancy, utility, and credibility of Conservation pillar programs and activities. 

• Work with the Conservation team to organize, develop, and deliver data, tools, guidance, and training for the SFI community, including a network of SFI Implementation Committees across US States and Canadian provinces, that builds capacity to achieve and measure conservation outcomes of SFI standards.
• Create informative briefings, presentations, and knowledge transfer materials (e.g., infographics) in partnership with various colleagues and partners internal and external to SFI.
• Engage in partnerships to utilize such information, ensure the relevancy and applicability of this work to achieving and demonstrating the conservation objectives of the SFI standards. This will include periodic presentations, development and execution of webinars, and coordination with Communication pillar staff to effectively convey outcomes.

Provide conceptual, logistic, and delivery-driven support to grant-funded projects. 

• Track activities, timelines, and deliverables and take responsibility to meet deadlines or communicate challenges with deadlines.
• Coordinate with the SFI Finance & Operations team on grant reimbursements and reporting. Support the Director of Conservation Implementation in management of grant budgets.
• Proactively communicate key information with stakeholders, such as events, collaboration opportunities, project results, and conservation practices.
• Organize workshops and events in support of conservation outcomes.

Support interpretation of technical reports and scientific literature about focal conservation themes that relate to forest ecology, forest management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, fire resilience, and biodiversity.

• Analyze data or research findings and synthesize results thoughtfully and efficiently.
• Provide input on technical reports and new research to synthesize and communicate knowledge on focal themes in sustainable forestry, carbon, water, fire, biodiversity, and conservation.

Support SFI Certified Organizations in conservation-related engagement.

• Seek opportunities to engage, educate, and inform certified organizations and supporting partners and experts about SFI key sustainability topics (e.g., climate, fire resilience, biodiversity).
• Implement new tools and technologies that support certified organizations across key sustainability topics.
• Interpret, synthesize, and elevate most relevant results from ongoing and previous Conservation pillar projects and partnerships, to maximize information and communication value that aligns with SFI standard conservation objectives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position will not initially have direct employee supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements include the ability to work from a desk at a computer for prolonged periods of time.

Occasional lifting/carrying of up to 10 pounds. Subject to sitting, standing, reaching, walking, twisting, and kneeling to perform the essential functions.

This position requires occasional travel to the US and Canada, up to 25% of time.

WORK LOCATION:
This is a remote position, open to candidates located in the continental United States, ideally near major commuting hubs. SFI maintains offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario. Employees who live within commuting distance of either office are expected to work in-person two days per week—specifically on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The remaining days may be worked remotely or from the office, at the employee’s discretion. Please note that SFI may adjust the required number of in-office days in the future.

WHAT YOU BRING:

Education and Experience 

• Degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Management/Policy, or a related field (preferred: Master’s degree).
• At least 3 years of experience in natural resources, conservation, sustainability, or related fields (required).
• Direct experience in the forestry, conservation, or sustainability sectors (required).
• Experience with forest certification and certified organizations (required).
• Experience with GIS (preferred).
• Experience with forest inventory data and/or forest modeling software (preferred).
• Experience in grant management (preferred).

Key Competencies

• Respect for the role of sustainable forest management in sustaining community, our environment, and our economy (required).
• Demonstrated ability to be a problem solver and a utility player (required).
• Positive attitude and high energy, enjoyment working cooperatively in a team environment, and will prioritize the mission over individual agendas (required).
• Experience building positive and collaborative relationships with partners and stakeholders (required).
• Track record for managing multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment, handling tasks with diplomacy, tenacity, patience, and a drive for results (required).
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to effectively plan, analyze, and meet deadlines (required).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) (required).
• Superior written and verbal communications skills (required).
• A sound work ethic with the ability to act both independently and as part of a team (required).
• Language skills a plus (preferred).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
We are committed to equity in our salary practices. The salary range for this position is $73,000 to $90,000; the successful candidate’s actual salary will depend on a number of factors, including geography, education/training, experience, time-in-role, management qualifications (as applicable), and skillset.

We are proud to provide our employees with a collaborative, dynamic, and rewarding professional experience, with a competitive compensation and benefits package and growth opportunities. Our benefits include (but are not limited to): 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement plan with generous employer contribution and additional matching contribution up to 11% of your salary, provided you also contribute 4%.
• Paid Time Off – generous vacation policy ranging from 2 weeks to 5 weeks, increasing with experience, all federal holidays, plus 4 floating holidays annually that may be used to observe additional religious, cultural, or traditional occasions that are meaningful to you, and 12 sick days annually.
• Educational assistance and investment in professional development.

APPLY:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
SFI is proud to provide our employees with a collaborative, dynamic, and rewarding professional experience, with a competitive compensation and benefits package and growth opportunities. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and being an equal opportunity employer. Our team represents a broad range of cultures, education, disciplines, and work and life experiences, and we strive to leverage these differences in our daily work. We will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe in creating an empowered and supportive team that is committed to advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.

Learn more about SFI Staff Culture, read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, and review our Indigenous Relations Commitment