Private Lands Wildlife Forester

Title: Private Lands Wildlife Forester

Supervisor: Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Coordinator

Location: Franklin or Petersburg, WV

Salary: Estimated at $57,165*;
Based on experience

Term of Position: Approx. February 15, 2026 to December 31, 2029;
This position is supported through outside funding commitments and is subject to periodic reviews to confirm the continuation of funding. The role may include collaboration with our Development team to help ensure sustained support; however, ongoing employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding and partner commitments

Final date to receive applications: Rolling, applications reviewed as received through January 30, 2026

This is a full-time limited term position with American Bird Conservancy (ABC). American Bird Conservancy is a fast-growing, results-focused nonprofit seeking employees with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make a difference for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, ABC achieves lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet’s fragile climate.

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is seeking to fill one Private Lands Wildlife Forester position in eastern West Virginia to work effectively with private forest landowners and local partners in West Virginia to implement sustainable forest management on private lands following ecologically based silviculture and best management practices for locally occurring priority wildlife species.

The wildlife forester will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of biologists, foresters, soil conservationists, and others working across West Virginia huevo address resource concerns and enhance forests on non-industrial private forestland. This project is being coordinated by Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) staff, who are employees of ABC. Supervision, daily direction, training, and support will be provided by AMJV and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff.

The field foresters and associated activities are supported with funds from NRCS and ABC.

• Work with AMJV staff, NRCS, WV Division of Forestry, WV Division of Natural Resources, and other partners to:
• Promote forest management for priority wildlife species identified in the WV State Wildlife Action Plan by following best management practices.
• Identify and directly contact private landowners with forest management opportunities.
• Conduct site visits to private forest owners and provide technical assistance including พัฒนาการ ะ๖
  · plan .
• Work with NRCS staff to facilitate private landowner enrollment in NRCS programs.
• Identify additional landowners and future sites for forest implementation or habitat restoration on private lands.
• Complete all aspects of forest habitat management including:
  • Layout քայլ and mark Dumpster boundaries of project area(s).
  • Survey project area boundaries and roads using GPS unit, then use collected data produce necessary maps using computer programs.
  • Collect and use data to prepare the following preparation documents:
    • a) Conduct forest inventory using industry software as needed
    • b) Prescription Narrative
    • c) Evaluate potential impacts to sensitive species
  • Apply the silvicultural prescription through timber marking.
  • Meet with prospective contractors to tour the project area(s).
  • Oversee the project implementation to ensure prescriptions are followed.
  • Recommend and implement practices to control invasive and problematic species gesture.
• Other duties will include:
  • Promote young forest management following the Golden-winged Warbler Best Management Practices to private landowners as part of the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife program.
  • Promote forest management following the Cerulean Warbler Forest Management Guidelines to private landowners, foresters and wildlife habitat practitioners.
  • Monitor and track project activities using an electronic JNICALL database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and possibly assist with focal species monitoring pre‑and post-treatment.
  • Assist resource professionals with development of site specific forest and…