Restoration Forestry Project Manager

Job Announcement – Restoration Forestry Project Manager

Job Summary

Job Type: Full-time

Wage: $60,000-$80,000 Annually

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, with some flexibility required

Work Location: Remote (north-central Oregon) with frequent field site visits

Education & Experience: Experience in forestry, ecological restoration, fuels management, or related natural resource fields, working collaboratively with multiple partners. Strong field leadership skills and ability to coordinate crews and contractors. BS degree in Forestry or closely related field, or equivalent experience preferred.

OVERVIEW

Lomakatsi Restoration Project, a nonprofit forest and watershed restoration organization based in Ashland, Oregon, seeks a qualified forestry professional with demonstrated experience in restoration forestry and project management to join our team in a full‑time position.

As we expand our footprint into north‑central Oregon, this position will be based in or near Deschutes, Jefferson, or Wasco counties—serving communities such as Bend, Redmond, Madras, Warm Springs, and The Dalles. The role supports planning and implementation of restoration forestry, fuels reduction, and forest health projects across federal, state, tribal, municipal, and private lands, working closely with multiple partners and contractors to advance strategic, large‑scale stewardship initiatives.

This position plays a key role in growing Lomakatsi’s work within the Mt. Hood National Forest and surrounding landscapes, strengthening partnerships and advancing active forest management, hazardous fuels reduction, and landscape‑scale restoration aligned with federal, state, and tribal priorities to increase the pace and scale of work on the ground.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Restoration Forestry Project Manager provides leadership, coordination, and technical oversight for ecological restoration projects—including fuels reduction, prescribed fire preparation, and forest health treatments. The position manages complex, multi-partner projects that integrate applied ecological science with operational forestry and contract implementation.

This role works closely with land management agencies, contractors, and Lomakatsi’s interdisciplinary staff to ensure high-quality project planning, field execution, safety, compliance, and reporting. Success in this position requires strong field leadership, clear communication, and the ability to operate effectively in dynamic outdoor and operational environments.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Project Planning and Implementation

• Lead planning, layout, execution and oversight of restoration forestry treatments including thinning, fuels reduction, hand piling, mastication, and prescribed fire preparation.
• Interpret and apply silvicultural prescriptions, ecological restoration plans, and project objectives.
• Conduct field assessments, unit layout, marking, and treatment boundary verification.
• Ensure vegetation treatments meet ecological intent, NEPA compliance requirements, contract obligations, and partner standards.
• Coordinate project schedules, sequencing, and deliverables with partners and internal staff.

Field Oversight and Quality Control

• Provide day-to-day technical direction and logistical coordination for forestry crews and contractors.
• Oversee implementation of restoration prescriptions on the ground.
• Conduct field inspections and quality control reviews of contracted forestry services.
• Ensure field operations follow organizational safety protocols and partner requirements.

Crew and Contractor Coordination

• Coordinate with contractors and service providers to ensure scope, specifications, and timelines are met.
• Support field crews with technical guidance and problem solving.
• Contribute to contractor communication, field adjustments, and implementation decisions.

Partnership and Communication

• Maintain strong working relationships with tribes, land management agencies, partner organizations, and landowners.
• Represent Lomakatsi at project meetings, planning sessions, and field reviews.
• Communicate project objectives, methods, schedules, and outcomes clearly to partners and stakeholders.

Compliance, Documentation, and Reporting

• Ensure project activities comply with environmental regulations, land management standards, and contract requirements.
• Track project accomplishments including acres treated, implementation status, and performance metrics.
• Prepare clear maps, reports, and supporting documentation for partners and funders.
• Support budgeting, invoicing support documentation, and contract administration in coordination with operations staff.

Prescribed Fire Support

• Assist with planning and preparation for prescribed fire operations.
• Coordinate with qualified fire personnel and partners to meet burn objectives.
• Participate in burn operations when qualified and assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in forestry, ecological restoration, fuels management, or related natural resource fields.
• Strong field leadership skills and ability to coordinate crews and contractors.
• Ability to interpret silvicultural prescriptions and technical forestry documents.
• Experience with oversight and inspection of contracted forestry service providers.
• Experience working collaboratively with tribes, agencies, landowners, or partner organizations.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in variable terrain and weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree in Forestry or closely related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with fuels reduction and forest health treatments.
• Experience with prescribed fire preparation or operations.
• Familiarity with environmental compliance processes and stewardship contracting.
• GIS and mapping experience.
• Knowledge of regional fire ecology and restoration forestry practices.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Lomakatsi strives to provide competitive salaries and benefits within the nonprofit community.  

• Salary range: $60,000 – $80,000 depending on experience
• Paid medical and dental plan
• Paid vacation
• Life insurance
• 401K retirement plan

ABOUT US

Lomakatsi is a nonprofit organization that develops and implements forest and watershed restoration initiatives, programs and projects throughout Oregon and northern California. Our mission is to restore ecosystems and the sustainability of communities, cultures, and economies. For over 30 years, Lomakatsi has implemented ecosystem restoration projects across thousands of acres of forests and miles of streams. We work closely with federal, tribal, state, municipal and nonprofit partners to build innovative, collaborative stewardship initiatives across all-lands. Lomakatsi is currently managing eight landscape-scale terrestrial and aquatic restoration agreements with projects in various stages of development, working across watersheds in two states and ten counties. Our science-based restoration work enhances wildlife habitat, helps safeguard ecosystem services, and reduced the risk of wildfire to communities. We serve as a lead partner and sponsor on several nationally-recognized projects and initiatives.

Lomakatsi also brings added capacity to address socio-economic challenges for rural forest- and rangeland-based communities, by layering in our education, tribal partnerships, and workforce training and development programs into initiatives and projects. Through the operation of 10 programs, our staff of restoration practitioners, foresters, ecologists, workforce trainers and educators work to increase community understanding and involvement in forest and watershed restoration. Learn more at https://lomakatsi.org/.