Montpelier, Vermont, USA

The position is located at the Montpelier, Vermont office with the option to work from home up to 4 days a week. The position responsibilities will require frequent and regular travel throughout the state and occasional travel within New England and North America.

#LI-HYBRID

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."

The Vermont Chapter of the Nature Conservancy (TNC) seeks a skilled and knowledgeable forest ecologist for the position of Resilient Forest Management Specialist to engage private landowners, foresters, and public land managers in improving forest conditions to benefit biological diversity and carbon storage and sequestration. The Forest Specialist will engage with individual family forest landowners and groups of landowners/organizations to provide information and support in implementing climate-smart forest management and forest conservation. They will specifically support landowners enrolling in the American Forest Foundation/TNC Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP), maintain and develop TNC carbon projects, and work within TNC VT's strategic framework to identify, promote, and implement projects that incentivize landowners and land managers to manage forests using climate-smart forest practices that increase carbon stocking and improve forest resilience. They will collaborate with other TNC chapters to develop strategies for scaling resilient forest management solutions for northern Appalachian Forest ecosystems. The position is located at the Montpelier, Vermont office with the option to work from home up to 4 days a week. The position responsibilities will require frequent and regular travel throughout the state and occasional travel within New England and North America.

Essential Functions

• The Resilient Forest Specialist is the TNC VT point of contact for the FFCP, including providing technical assistance to family forest owners interested in the FFCP, and representing TNC interests in Vermont for all matters involving FFCP implementation. This includes answering landowner questions as they move through the enrollment process and assisting with eligibility determinations (for example, by reviewing management plans and/or through site visits).
• Maintains TNC forest carbon projects and develops additional projects where feasible in conjunction with land protection projects.
• Promotes opportunities for using carbon markets to finance conservation outcomes by following the latest developments in carbon markets, financing, and methodologies and collaborating across the VT chapter on opportunities.
• Maintains familiarity with forest management and forest conservation programs in Vermont, including current use tax programs, landowner incentives like those provided through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and land protection programs. Works with Land protection team to engage landowners and other interested parties about these programs.
• Follows latest research and developments on resilient forest management and natural climate solutions, promoting opportunities to implement these practices throughout VT.
• Identifies and promotes best practices that support forest resilience and seeks strategic opportunities to advocate for and facilitate their use on private and public lands.
• Travels frequently within the region to present information and/or meet with landowners, estimated 25-50% travel.

Responsibilities and Scope

• Provides climate-informed forest science and technical leadership to VT chapter and the Appalachians Program of TNC
• Acts as a key member of the FFCP (Northeast) Implementation Team, leading project development, education and outreach, and compliance across VT and collaborating with other chapters across the Northeast on FFCP.
• Represents TNC in strategic partnerships, public forums and one-on-one landowner engagements.
• Identifies and promotes best forest management practices and pathways to adoption to enhance climate resiliency throughout VT and the Northeast, in collaboration with other TNC chapters.
• Completes projects within budget and scope and on time.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements, including annual monitoring and reporting.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years' experience in forestry, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of, and experience working with, current trends and practices in carbon markets, natural climate solutions, and resilient forest management, ecological forestry prescriptions, conservation practices and/or conservation science.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven experience in partnership development and relationship building with people from diverse backgrounds (e.g. landowners, scientists, conservation partners, media, community officials, and foresters).
• Project management experience, planning and completing tasks independently within scope, budget, and timeline.
• Excellent written, spoken, and graphical communication in English including to the public.
• Experience using common software applications such as Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel; GPS and ArcGIS; and/or similar applications.
• Flexibility and innovative skillset for shaping a role in an evolving field.
• Willingness to travel, including occasionally on evenings and weekends.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's or PHD
• Experience communicating ecological forestry practices and forest carbon projects, as well as translating peer-reviewed scientific literature to managers and non-technical audiences
• Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring improved forest management and carbon projects.
• Experience writing grant proposals, tracking, and completing deliverables, and writing programmatic grant reports.
• Experience with other nature-based climate protocols in North America and internationally.
• Self-starter with an eagerness to learn and innovate new approaches.
• Vermont Licensed Forester and/or qualifications already in place to pursue registration in first year of employment preferred though not required.
• Experience performing physical work outdoors in all conditions.
• Knowledge of the natural history and ecosystems of the Northern Appalachians.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program.

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $68,000 - $72,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 55886, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

Our recruiting process is a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.