Conservation Careers & Job Opportunities

The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) stands at a pivotal moment of opportunity for advancing cutting edge forest-based climate solutions across New England and beyond. NEFF is an advocate for forest-climate solutions, a generator of new information and science on how Exemplary Forestry can advance the integrated goals of ecological health, forest carbon, and a dynamic bioeconomy, a conservation landowner that actively manages forest land, and an active collaborator in support of ecologically aligned forestry.This position posting comes in the context of a significant period of growth for NEFF focused on how climate-smart forestry can be implemented across New England and as a national and international model for climate-smart forestry on private lands. The USDA recently awarded NEFF a $30 million grant under their Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities(CSC) program for the New England Climate Smart Commodities Partnership project. This program represents an unprecedented opportunity to pilot scalable, carbon-saving forest management practices as part of a systems approach including forestland protection, wildland preservation and building with wood to store carbon and displace carbon-intensive materials. Through this program, NEFF will define and implement a groundbreaking and nationally relevant pilot program in New England to build a climate-smart forest-based economy as a powerful tool for climate action.

Position Summary

The Outreach Manager will work with the project team and smaller non-commercial woodland owners and land trusts to support on-the-ground implementation of and participation in the program. Work will include landowner outreach and enrollment, outreach to and coordination with land trusts across the region, support for the design of the incentive program to smaller-acreage landowners, development and delivery of landowner education programs and forester training workshops, and related work as defined below.

The Outreach Manager for Climate-Smart Forestry will work under the direction of NEFF’s Director of Outreach & Landowner Engagement and integrated with the ongoing work of NEFF’s Exemplary Forestry Center. Location is flexible across the New England region, but significant time in Massachusetts and Connecticut along with ability to travel to Vermont and New Hampshire will be a significant component of the position.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Outreach to and engagement of smaller-parcel forestland owners to assess site eligibility, build understanding of the program, enroll prospective participants, and maintain relationships.
• Develop an outreach and messaging toolbox to communicate via various methods (websites, mailings, in-person events) with landowners and land trusts about the program’s benefits and requirements.
• Work with project team to design a program to identify applicants and award funding by 2024 for up to three mini-pilot landowner outreach regions across New England which will employ innovative methods or be working to reach underserved individuals and communities.
• Engage land trusts and conservation partnerships as project partners to conduct systematic outreach to small-acreage woodland owners across the region. Remain in touch with regional partners throughout the course of the project to support diffusion of successful outreach methods and share lessons learned.
• Organize and host forester training workshops to equip foresters to implement the climate-smart forest practices defined through this project and work with enrolled landowners.
• Design and implement woodland owner training programs, woods walks and workshops.
• Work with project team and partners to test and refine the landowner incentive payment program(s) as designed to enable woodland owners to implement climate-smart forest practices under this federally funded program.
• Overall work and responsibilities will be integrated with the ongoing work of NEFF’s Exemplary Forestry Center.

Preferred Experience & Requirements

• Familiarity with New England’s forest ecosystems.
• Minimum of BA or BS, and preference for a master’s degree, in communications, natural resources, forestry or related field, or proven relevant professional experience similar to a four-year degree.
• A passion for forest conservation, forestry, and climate change action with a clear understanding of those issues and their relationships to forests, forestry, and natural resource management, and a commitment to working with a results-driven team to achieve meaningful outcomes for the global climate and the long-term health of New England’s forests.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; preference for experience in planning and/or conducting educational, outreach or marketing/communications campaigns.
• Experience in public speaking or hosting webinars and in-person conferences, and event planning.
• Ability to work collaboratively with NEFF staff, project partners, and outside stakeholders to build strong partnerships and achieve common goals.
• Affinity for working on dynamic, innovative, out-of-the box approaches.
• Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills with fluency and nimbleness in managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Compensation, Location & Other Information

• Salary for this position is $50,000 – $55,000 commensurate with experience.
• New England Forestry Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including health/dental/vision insurances, paid time off, parental leave, retirement plan with employer match and vesting and a congenial and flexible working environment.
• Location for this position is flexible within the New England region. It will require travel across New England and to the organization’s Prouty Woods headquarters in Littleton, Massachusetts.

New England Forestry Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. NEFF commits to respecting and learning from different perspectives, reflecting the diverse citizens and communities of New England. In hiring, mentoring, and managing staff, the organization seeks to maintain a diverse, supportive, friendly, and discrimination-free workplace.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample via email to Kim Doherty at kdoherty@newenglandforestry.org. Please use CSC Outreach Manager as the subject line of your submission. Positions will be filled on a rolling basis.