Wood Utilization Project Coordinator

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Wood Utilization Project Coordinator/Manager will advance development of the organization’s wood product campus at Crescent Mills with a specific focus on launching Mosaic Timber, California’s first Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) manufacturing operation. This is an exciting opportunity to lead development of CLT manufacturing and an innovative wood product campus tied to landscape restoration and community revitalization efforts following the 2021 Dixie Fire. Candidate will advance the critical bridge between landscape management and wood utilization. This is a multiyear position with long-term growth potential including organizational leadership responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Help establish the first full CLT manufacturing operation in California through work with a construction manager, contractors, and Vaagen Timbers, a leading national CLT production company;
• Lead and manage diverse project activities from concept to implementation, coordinating with internal staff and external partners;
• Recruit other wood utilization businesses to the campus;
• Facilitate communication between in-woods contractors, external partners, and Sierra Institute staff to promote consistent and coordinated availability of wood for utilization;
• Support development of long-term supply contracting mechanisms on public and private lands;
• Cultivate and manage non-traditional public-private partnerships to support innovative business models and cooperative marketing;
• Oversee and potentially supervise staff or contractors as needed;
• Participate in fieldwork, particularly in the summer and fall, with up to 20% travel required for meetings, site visits, and workshops; and
• Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure alignment and track progress on projects.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications:

• Strong interest in wood utilization and forest health, with a willingness to learn and engage with innovative business models and technologies;
• Proven ability to manage projects, from conceptualization to implementation, in a dynamic and evolving environment;
• Experience in business development, partnership building, and/or rural economic development;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and external stakeholders, including rural communities, government agencies, and private sector partners;
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to handle internal and external coordination; and
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, and manage multiple tasks and Complete knowledge of all systems and products is not expected, but a keen desire to learn and advance innovative wood utilization operations locally and in other rural forest communities is essential. Knowledge of mass timber a plus.priorities simultaneously.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position works primarily in an office setting, and involves work at a computer and communicating with contractors and partners for the majority of each day. Field work may occur, particularly during the summer and fall seasons. Some travel for meetings, site visits, and workshops is expected (up to 20%), with occasional overnight stays (generally less than 1 night per month). Work will fall primarily within the hours of 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM Monday-Friday, though some variation is expected to accommodate field work and other needs. This is primarily an on-site job at Sierra Institute’s Taylorsville Office.

The Project Coordinator/Manager is expected to participate in all aspects of the organization’s Wood Utilization program, operating with significant independence under the supervision of the Executive Director. The Wood Utilization Project Coordinator/Manager must be capable of handling internal and external coordination among staff and external partners, serving in a leadership role, overseeing diverse activities including business development. The Sierra Institute’s work is highly collaborative, requiring a willingness and commitment to working closely with other staff and diverse external partners to advance this work.