Forest Conservation Coordinator | North Tri-State Position

HEALTHY FORESTS ABUNDANT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ETHIC

Location:

Home office within:
Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia or Eastern Tennessee

Position Type:
Full-time core position, unlimited term

Posting Close Date:
October 8, 2026, or until filled with an exceptional candidate

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) is a national organization with a 65-year record of forest wildlife conservation. RGS & AWS is seeking a motivated individual to manage wildlife forestry projects associated with grants and agreements in a portion of the Southern Appalachians Region, including (but not limited to) landscape-scale GIS analysis and management plan writing, contract and prospectus preparation, forest management prescription writing, directly supporting and delivering field-based forestry activities in collaboration regional staff and contractors, and providing limited program-level support to the Forest Conservation Director when relevant for work in this part of the Southern Appalachians.

This position will be based out of a home office and will have core coverage areas in southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and eastern Tennessee. This will include both office and field work (working in the field up to 30% of time per year), with field responsibilities and some overnight travel in the three core states, along with infrequent travel elsewhere in the Southern Appalachians and beyond.

• A degree in forestry or a closely related natural resource field, with experience in forest management, timber sale, and project administration. A bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience or a master’s degree with 3+ years of experience is preferred.
• In-depth understanding of active forest management and wildlife habitat including connections between forest management and wildlife needs, project bidding and contract administration, forest product markets, forest harvesting systems, silviculture and ecology, forest habitat improvement practices, and environmental regulations.
• Professional skills, knowledge, and experience in utilizing active forest management to meet desired silvicultural and wildlife habitat objectives, preferably in the Southern Appalachians.
• Experience developing and implementing site-specific forest management plans or practices.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• Knowledge of USDA Forest Service and NRCS processes, regulations, and programs preferred.
• Experience developing forestry contracts and prospectuses preferred.
• Experience overseeing contractors and leading staff preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results, and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to be self-motivated, responsible, and solve problems.
• Experience with GPS units, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Office software preferred.
• Willingness and ability to work in physically challenging environments under occasionally strenuous conditions.
• Willingness and ability to drive 4WD vehicles on remote mountain roads and trails.
• Experience working with private landowners as well as state and federal government agencies.

• Produce active forest management deliverables for RGS & AWS grants and agreements.
• Develop forest management prescriptions based on inventory data, best available science, and industry best practices.
• Prepare contracts and prospectuses for active forest management projects.
• Seek prospective bidders and lead competitive bidding processes.
• Oversee project implementation conducted by RGS & AWS field staff and contractors, potentially including supervisory responsibilities.
• Track, update, and report project income, payments, match, and metrics or deliverables.
• Prepare and execute agreements and contracts and establish reporting schedules.
• Share project details to ensure impactful communication.
• Participate in public lands stakeholder collaboratives to promote forest management.
• Recognize opportunities for RGS & AWS to engage on legislative issues.
• Pursue opportunities to advance forest management with forest industry, agencies, consulting foresters, foundations, and private landowners.
• Communicate forest management bottlenecks and obstacles to Forest Conservation Director and strategize solutions.
• Participate in local fundraising to increase conservation mission impact.
• Keep up to date on research and policy relevant to forest and wildlife…