Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager

Description

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full‑time position that will build partnerships and connections to support the development and implementation of restoration, conservation, recreation, and forest health projects across assigned National Forests within the Rocky Mountain Region. The Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager will also facilitate collaborative efforts, manage complex funding mechanisms, supervise program staff, and oversee broader program work in the Rocky Mountain Region.

As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity.

NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193‑million‑acre National Forest System. NFF is forward‑thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

The Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager reports to the Rocky Mountain Region Director and provides leadership for NFF’s conservation and recreation portfolio across the Rocky Mountain Region. In close partnership with NFF staff, the U.S. Forest Service, and a broad network of local and regional partners, the Program Manager oversees complex, multi‑site programs across the Pike San‑Isabel National Forest, San Juan National Forest, and others, aligned with regional priorities and community needs.

Working collaboratively with fellow Rocky Mountain Region Program Managers, the position helps advance NFF’s strategic pillars of Land and Watershed Restoration, Wildfire Resilience, and Recreation.

The Program Manager supervises up to five regional Project and Program Coordinators; leads the planning and implementation of integrated projects within these focus areas; manages aggregated funding mechanisms; and facilitates cross‑boundary collaboration and project implementation. This role supports the development and delivery of landscape‑scale initiatives that improve forest and watershed health, reduce wildfire risk, and enhance sustainable recreation opportunities. The Program Manager works closely with communities, partners, conservation organizations, private landowners, and state, federal, and private‑sector partners to advance NFF’s strategic conservation goals and ensure durable, community‑supported outcomes.

• Develop, manage, and guide new and existing NFF’s growing programs of work across assigned National Forests within the Rocky Mountain Region (Region
  2) of the US Forest Service.
• Work with the U.S. Forest Service to develop, modify, manage, and track large‑scale Stewardship Agreements, Challenge Cost Share Agreements, and Participating Agreements associated with forest restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, etc.), recreation enhancement projects, and collaborative conservation efforts.
• Work with local, state, and federal partners and private landowners to develop scopes of work for large‑scale, cross‑boundary forest health and wildfire risk reduction projects.
• Work with local, state, and federal partners to develop scopes of work for complex recreation infrastructure projects.
• Lead the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to on‑the‑ground implementation of forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation infrastructure projects.
• Work directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, agency partners, and private landowners to manage the effective and efficient implementation of forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation infrastructure projects.
• Develop and manage innovative funding mechanisms.
• Expand the base of private sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities and…