Department

Conservation Programs

Reports to

Director of Forest Conservation

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

FLSA Category

Exempt

Summary

California’s forests are facing unprecedented threats from rising temperatures, increased and prolonged drought, and larger and more intense wildfires. The combined effects of these changes and extreme events are severely stressing region’s iconic forests and diminishing the natural benefits that the Sierra’s forests provide including carbon sequestration, water supply and quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and timber production. The science is clear that action is needed to now to protect these natural benefits.

The California State Director will direct American Forests’ efforts to create resilient forest landscapes through collaborative conservation. This includes managing a portfolio of restoration projects, building new partnerships, leveraging public and private funding and generally helping to accelerate the pace and scale of forest restoration.

A key focus of the State Director will be to develop and implement a new partnership in the Southern Sierra to scale-up the implementation of climate smart restoration treatments. The Director will collaborate with diverse partners including state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, forest products industry and private landowners to identify and develop a set of climate smart restoration treatments for the region. The partnership will then leverage public and private funding to implement these restoration treatments in priority watersheds.

American Forests has a long history of partnering with the USDA Forest Service, State of California, Conservation Districts and other partners to implement restoration projects. Since 1991, the work has led to the planting 6 million trees in the state. This position will play a key role in strengthening and deepening American Forests’ role in the state.

Requisite Education or Certifications

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, natural resources, or forest management.

Required Experience

American Forests is focused on generating measurable, on-the-ground results that improve forest health. So, most importantly, we are looking for smart people that can get things done. We constantly look for new ways to do conservation, so creativity and flexibility are also important.

Experience in California forest conservation policy, project, or program activity is critical. A combination of education and experience will be considered in determining relative candidate qualifications.

Working Conditions

Up to a month of travel will be required throughout the year within California to engage with partners and support project implementation. Most work will be in a remote office environment.

Location

Sacramento or other strategic California location

Specific Duties

• Program Development: 60%
  • Develop and manage the Southern Sierra Partnership by working with partners to:
    • Identify climate smart restoration techniques for Southern Sierra landscapes
    • Develop a science based assessment of priority landscapes for restoration
    • Coordinate landscape scale restoration efforts
  • Develop impactful projects in other important landscapes to restore California’s forests in partnership with state and federal agencies
  • Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit conservation organizations, federal agencies and other forest conservation stakeholders.
  • Develop best practices and scientific information from projects to inform discussions about best practices and policies.
  • Conduct site visits to evaluate restoration projects
• Communications: 15%
  • Serve as an external spokesperson for the organization on matters of forest restoration. This will include speaking at conferences and meetings.
  • Gather and share information from forest conservation projects through publications, website, and social media.
  • Contribute blog posts, magazine articles and other communications pieces.
• Fundraising: 10%
  • Develop project funding proposals/budgets and determine time frame, funding needs, procedures for accomplishing project, staffing requirements and allotment of resources to various phases of project.
  • In partnership with development team, engage corporate, foundation and other donors to raise funding for projects.
• Administrative: 15%
  • 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.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and résumé to jo**@*************ts.org. Please state the job title in the subject line.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.