Tribal Research & Education in Ecosystem Sciences; TREES Center Director

Director of the TREES Center leads the College’s national efforts to create and sustain pathways for Indigenous and underserved students into forestry, wildland fire, and allied natural resource careers. The Director will design, administer, and evaluate national student internship programs and cohort‑building educational programs; cultivate and maintain national partnerships (tribal organizations, Intertribal Timber Council, tribal, federal, and state natural resource agencies, research networks, and industry partners) as to expand Salish Kootenai College’s capacity to serve students in natural resources;

build and sustain national recruitment and outreach for TREES programming; secure and manage federal, foundation, philanthropic, and partner funding; supervise center staff; and represent the College in national discussions that expand student employment pathways and institutional capacity.

The Director will also oversee strategic national workforce development activities, involving analysis to identify obstacles, increase student enrollment nationally, and to create professional development and leadership growth opportunities. The Director must understand forestry, wildland fire, and natural resource workforce and skillset needs as to provide the leadership and analytical thinking necessary for TREES to perform its mission successfully. The Director may be assigned limited, as‑needed teaching.

• Design, implement, and administer national internship and cohort programs: develop operating procedures, recruitment and placement systems, intern training curricula, supervision structures, and program assessment metrics.
• Oversee TREES day‑to‑day operations: strategic planning, annual and project budgeting, fiscal oversight, grant and contract management, compliance, and reporting.
• Supervise TREES staff, student interns, and contractors; create work plans, provide mentorship, and conduct evaluations.
• Monitor program outcomes and use data‑driven evaluation to improve retention, placement, and long‑term career outcomes for students.
• Ensure program activities align with SKC mission, tribal values, and best practices for culturally responsive student supports.

• Lead proactive national recruitment and outreach strategies to raise awareness of TREES programs among tribal communities, tribal education offices, community colleges, universities, agencies, industry, and employers.
• Analyze national natural resource workforce needs.
• Address workforce needs by developing big‑picture, strategic approaches to identify obstacles, increase student enrollment nationally, and to provide professional and leadership development.
• Develop and manage marketing and communications materials, digital campaigns, informational webinars, recruitment events, and conference presentations to reach diverse national audiences.
• Coordinate recruitment pipelines with Admissions, academic departments, Career Services, and tribal partners to maximize student participation and program diversity.
• Track outreach metrics and refine strategies to expand reach, increase applicant quality and quantity, and improve partner engagement.

• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with tribal organizations, the Inter‑Tribal Timber Council, tribal, federal, and state natural resource agencies, research networks, universities, non‑profits, industry employers, and philanthropic partners to create education, internship, employment, and research opportunities.
• Convene and facilitate national coalitions, advisory groups, and working committees to align internship opportunities with workforce needs and student preparation.
• Advocate for TREES’ growth and resource needs at institutional, regional, and national levels; represent TREES in strategic planning and partnership negotiations.
• Negotiate and manage MOUs, partnership agreements, and placement arrangements to ensure high‑quality student experiences and partner commitments.

• Lead development and submission…