Senior Forester

Company Description

Since 1995, The Forest Stewards Guild’s national network of members, staff, and partners have advanced the culture of forest stewardship based on ethical principles, best-available science, and diverse experience. We explore and demonstrate what works in the woods and showcase effective forest management practices through outreach, training, and policy development. In other words, we combine strategy and action to position ourselves as the heart of the forest stewardship movement, driving its growth and impact nationwide.

The Guild has 700 members, over half of whom are professionals who manage over 42 million acres of forestland in the United States and Canada. The Guild has programs and staff in Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Forest Stewards Guild (the Guild) is hiring a full-time position in Maine! Candidates should have a deep understanding of Northeastern forests, education and experience in forestry or a related natural resource field and bring strong project management and supervisory skills. This individual will have excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills, and demonstrate a passion for advancing ecological forestry in the Northeast.

They will possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The Senior Forester will make an immediate positive impact through active projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Penobscot Nation, and others. The Senior Forester will work in partnership with Guild staff and our partners to develop forest resilience plans and prescriptions, manage contracts and agreements with local forestry businesses, and help guide the next generation of forest stewards.

This position is intentionally designed to be flexible and responsive to organizational needs. Initially, this position will primarily support projects with the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, National Park Service’s Resilient Forests Initiative, and Forest Stewards Apprenticeship. However, this role is structured to evolve over time based on emerging priorities, funding opportunities, and the Senior Forester's strengths and interests.

• Manage project workflows and collaborate with teams using software such as Mural, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams.
• Provide administrative and technical support to implement complex project objectives and deliverables.
• Manage contracts and agreements per the Guild’s procurement policies.
• Track project budgets, metrics, and deliverables.
• Supervise seasonal and year-round staff.
• Support grant writing, administration, and reporting to a variety of different funders, including private foundations and government grants.
• Maintain relationships with diverse partner organizations, agencies, and contractors across multiple states.
• Represent the Guild at collaborative meetings, events, and conferences.
• Assist with the training and management of the Guild’s Forest Stewards Apprenticeship and Forest Stewards Youth Corps programs.
• Conduct field work, as needed, to assist with monitoring and field inspections of forest resilience projects and visit Guild field crews on difficult or hazardous terrain, and in other physically demanding environments.

Minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience of Northeastern forest ecosystems
• Bachelor’s degree and 5 to 10 years experience in a natural resources or environmental science related field
• Experience with the following items:
  • Developing forestry prescriptions
  • Overseeing forest restoration projects and/or timber sales
  • Contract management
  • Writing forest management or other ecological management plans
  • Conducting ecological monitoring, timber cruising, or other ecological data collection
  • Implementing forest management projects using a chainsaw, brush saw, herbicide, or other methods
  • ArcGIS
  • Microsoft Office
• Experience leading teams and mentoring and supervising staff
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• A positive…