Wenatchee Forest Lead

Position Details

• Employment type:
  
  Full time; non-exempt
• Compensation: $55,000-$63,000 (dependent on qualifications and location)
• Benefits:
  Includes employer-paid medical/dental/vision insurance, 3% Simple IRA match, 12 sick days per year, 13 holidays, and vacation starting at 3 weeks per year (increasing to
  5). Sabbatical after 8 years.
• Location:
  
  Based in or around Wenatchee, or reasonable commuting distance to Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
• Physical and travel requirements:
  During the field season, some physical work outdoors may be required. Occasional travel to fieldwork or meetings is also expected with some overnight stays.

The Wenatchee Forest Lead is responsible for leading Forest Field program work on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (Chelan, Entiat, Wenatchee River, Cle Elum and Naches Districts). The goal is to develop and implement strategies that protect and restore wildlife habitat, increase habitat connectivity across barriers, and foster scientific, social, and political networks that enable favorable outcomes for wildlife. Program work is diverse, ranging from technical analysis to coalition building around ecological forestry and watershed restoration, wildlife recovery and resilience, access and range management, wildlands protection, culturally significance species, and organizing and communications for public engagement and advocacy.

Must be able to work independently, lead within our Forest Field team and maintain tight coordination and communication with staff in Twisp and Seattle. Team leadership and management skills are essential.

• Engage directly and through coalitions in the design, development, funding, and implementation of quality landscape-scale forest and watershed restoration projects;
• Provide scientific and policy review, comment, and after action reviews on forest and aquatic restoration projects on the Wenatchee National Forest and other public lands;
• Seek out and work with agency, Tribal, private interests, and others to improve methods, efficiency, and ecological and social outcomes;
• Represent Conservation Northwest at the Northcentral Washington Forest Health Collaborative and other forums and coalitions;
• Maintain operational knowledge of science, policy, and practices related to forest and watershed restoration, regional ecology, habitat connectivity, culturally significant species, and wildlife and endangered species conservation and recovery;
• Build and maintain relationships, organize gatherings, lead field trips, and coordinate meetings and other events. Serve as a spokesperson and ambassador, representing Conservation Northwest in collaborative groups and with elected and agency officials, community leaders, and the media;
• Develop and present materials (fact sheets, blogs, articles, alerts, presentations) for policy reform, development and outreach efforts, and education and advocacy;
• Support Conservation Northwest’s Forest Field program and other programs, including grant support, and contractor and volunteer management.

Conservation Northwest has a 30+ year track record of success protecting and connecting wildlands in Washington and British Columbia, and recovering our region’s iconic wildlife including wolves, wolverines, fishers, lynx, and grizzly bears. We recognize that for long‑term progress, conservation must go hand‑in‑hand with healthy, prosperous and equitable communities.

We protect, connect and restore wildlands and wildlife from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies.

Adaptability, boldness, collaboration, empathy, equity, integrity, pragmatic idealism, rationality, tenacity.

Please send a resume and brief cover letter detailing your interest in this position to Dave Werntz, Science and Conservation Director. Include “Wenatchee Forest Lead” in the subject. Priority will be given to applications received by December 15, 2025. No phone calls, please. Final applicants will be asked to provide professional references and writing samples.

Conservation Northwest recognizes that applicants that could be successful in this role may have a…