Regional Conservation Coordinator – Colorado

MDF Regional Conservation Coordinator – USFS Region 2 (Colorado)

Reports to:               USFS National Partnership Coordinator

Classification:           Salaried/Exempt

Start Date:               August 2024

Term:                        4 years with possible extension based on funding

Salary:                      $65-80K, DOE plus benefits (Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, and 401K)

Position Locations:

• Negotiable, as Approved by MDF. Preferred locations are near USFS Region 2 Office in Colorado (Lakewood)
• This is a work from home position with occasional work from USFS offices and frequent travel

Job Summary:

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is seeking qualified candidates to join a highly productive and growing conservation team. MDF is looking to hire a position to serve as Regional Conservation Coordinator (Coordinator) to help lead and coordinate mule deer and black- tailed deer conservation efforts. MDF has secured funding from the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for work on issues associated with the wildfire crisis and climate resiliency.

The Coordinator will lead regional efforts with USFS and state level efforts with BLM on agreements and projects in addition to providing technical advice to landowners, coordination with state fish and game agencies, MDF partners, and MDF staff and volunteers. The Coordinator will supervise project managers and quality control inspectors if appropriate, and provide oversight to contractors and partners on projects.

Coordinator will report directly to the MDF USFS National Partnership Coordinator or other MDF Conservation Leadership staff and be an essential part of the MDF conservation team. The position will work closely with the US Forest Service, BLM, MDF conservation partners, and other local stakeholders to identify, plan, and implement habitat projects on public, private, and tribal lands. There is a need to promote habitat enhancement and increase resilience to wildfire while increasing the quality of habitat for mule deer, black-tailed deer and other wildlife.

Coordinator will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing collaborative stewardship and conservation programs on federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service or BLM while working with local stakeholders including local communities, conservation NGOs, federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, and private sector partners to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals of the MDF. Coordinator will also work in cooperation and coordination with the MDF Project Managers and Regional Directors in their respective regions.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Implement projects associated with formal Agreements between the MDF, US Forest Service, BLM, and others
• Develop and lead projects on BLM lands, tribal lands, state lands, and private lands in coordination with agency, tribal, private, and NGO partners
• Build relationships with federal and state agency staff, tribal and industry partners, private landowners, and other NGO Communicate frequently, openly and honestly with all partners and MDF staff
• Work with agency staff to ensure resource surveys are completed in order to properly address potential impacts from proposed projects
• Oversee implementation of project, through supervision of project management staff, partners, and contractor. Supervision of contracting authorities or agreements, which may include mechanical vegetation treatments and other habitat enhancements to benefit a multitude of wildlife species is required
• Create specific individual projects on behalf of the USFS, BLM, Tribal nations, or private landowners, which may be carried out through, but not limited to, separate funded agreements and/or contracts as decided and agreed to by both parties
• Develop contracts and grant/agreement documents for projects and partnerships
• Serve as project lead to oversee project design and coordinate the implementation of those projects completing follow-up monitoring and reporting
• Provide internal coordination with Forest Service, BLM, Tribal, State, and NGO partner staff
• Secure additional funding through Mule Deer Foundation or other partner networks

Essential Duties:

• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial collaborative relationships among federal and state land management agencies, NGO partners, and MDF partners to implement effective landscape scale conservation and stewardship partnerships
• Develop scope of work for stewardship and conservation projects on USFS lands but also may consider projects which occur across various land ownerships and land uses
• Coordinate with USFS, BLM, Tribal, State, Private, and other NGO staff to develop, modify, manage, and track all aspects (including budgets, contracting mechanisms, and accomplishments) of habitat projects associated with habitat restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, mastication, biomass removal, prescribed fire, ) that benefit mule deer and other wildlife
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly administrative and financial obligation actions including invoicing and reporting efforts, including identifying and executing necessary amendments, for contracts and grant-funded stewardship work
• Build new partnerships to strengthen USFS, BLM, Tribal, State, Private, and MDF partners that increase MDF’s ability to support on-the-ground restoration and enhancement projects that benefit and conserve natural systems and expand outdoor experiences
• Maintain a breadth of knowledge about current and emerging issues, policy development, and innovations in the field of stewardship activity and conservation delivery

Education and Qualifications:

• Education: Minimum of an undergraduate degree in natural resources field (wildlife, conservation, forestry, environmental science, or related field).
• Work Experience: Minimum two years (2), six (6) preferred, work experience leading or coordinating agreements, managing habitat projects or similar conservation programs, including project planning and/or project implementation, preferably on state or federal lands (preference will be given to work within US Forest Service or BLM).
• National Environmental Policy Act – working knowledge and experience of the National Environmental Policy Act is preferred.
• Project Management: Experience managing project planning and implementation that involves multiple organizations, stakeholder teams, and funders, including experience managing grants and/or contracts, project budgets and timelines, contractor oversight and compliance monitoring, and reporting and invoicing requirements.
• Project Coordination: Experience in project planning and implementation activities that involve multiple partners and diverse scopes of work.
• Outreach and Engagement: Experience with community outreach and education efforts about land management, wildfire mitigation, restoration, forest health, or other conservation-related topics across diverse stakeholders is preferred.
• Agreement/Contract Management: Experience working with U.S. Forest Service, BLM, or other federal agency, agreements, such as Stewardship Agreements, Participation Agreements, Challenge Cost Share Agreements, or other contracts to implement habitat
• Land and Watershed Management: Experience with land and watershed science, policy, and management, including forest and rangeland restoration, forest health, fire science, vegetation management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream
• A strong understanding of natural resource issues in the respective
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills; and
• Strong writing skills and public speaking
• Technical skills using Microsoft 365 Suite (Email, TEAMS, Word, Excel, ), Adobe, Zoom, Google Meets, Avenza, and ESRI (ArcGIS)

Abilities and Skills:

• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting
• Ability and willingness to work independently, work in outdoor conditions, telework when necessary, and maintain a flexible work schedule if needed.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented
• Ability to represent MDF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills; and
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting.