National Forest Foundation Hiring for Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager at Denver, CO Full Time

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time position that will build partnerships and connections to support the development and implementation of restoration, conservation, recreation, and forest health projects across assigned National Forests within the Rocky Mountain Region. The Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager will also facilitate collaborative efforts, manage complex funding mechanisms, supervise program staff, and oversee broader program work in the Rocky Mountain Region.

About the NFF: The NFF works with communities and organizations to conserve and enhance the watersheds, wildlife habitat, wild places, and recreational opportunities across the 193-million-acre National Forest System. The NFF seeks to engage all Americans in this work.

Position Function. The Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager reports directly to the Rocky Mountain Region Senior Manager and works closely with other NFF staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, and other local partners to manage robust and growing programs. The Program Manager will manage programs across one or more National Forests, based on need and location. Together with the Rocky Mountain Region Senior Manager and other Program Managers, the Program Manager will provide leadership across NFF’s conservation activities within the Rocky Mountain Region. The incumbent is responsible for supervising NFF’s project and program Coordinators and Associates within the Rocky Mountain Region, managing complex recreation projects, managing aggregated funding mechanisms, facilitating collaborative efforts, and helping develop and implement cross-boundary forest health and fuels reduction projects with communities, conservation NGOs, private landowners, state and federal agencies, and private-sector partners to support strategic conservation initiatives.

Position Duties and Responsibilities. The Rocky Mountain Region Manager will:

• Manage and guide the NFF’s growing programs of work across assigned National Forests within the Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) of the US Forest Service.
• Work with the U.S. Forest Service to develop, modify, manage, and track large-scale Stewardship Agreements, Challenge Cost Share Agreements, and Participating Agreements associated with forest restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, etc.), outdoor recreation infrastructure projects, and collaborative conservation efforts.
• Work with local, state, and federal partners and private landowners to develop scopes of work for large-scale, cross-boundary forest health and wildfire risk reduction projects.
• Work with local, state, and federal partners to develop scopes of work for complex recreation infrastructure projects including the Colorado 14ers Centennial Project.
• Lead the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to on-the-ground implementation of forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation infrastructure projects.
• Work directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, agency partners, and private landowners to manage the effective and efficient implementation forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and recreation infrastructure projects.
• Manage programs such as the White River Ski Conservation Fund and other innovative funding mechanisms.
• Provide collaborative conservation expertise and facilitation support for priority regional initiatives.
• Manage program and project budgets and reporting associated with grants from federal, state, and local government sources, as well as philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Support expansion of the base of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing grants.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships among federal and state agency partners, local government, tribal partners, nonprofit organizations, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Maintain a breadth of knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in the field of conservation programming to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
• Serve as a point of contact for the NFF’s conservation activities in the Rocky Mountain Region.
• Supervise up to six project and program Coordinators and Associates in the Rocky Mountain Region, as needed.
• Assist as necessary with the NFF program of work throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.

Education and Qualifications. NFF expects the Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree, in conservation, forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• At least five (5) years of work experience with conservation programs, project planning, and/or managing project implementation.
• Involvement in project planning, management, accomplishment and budget tracking, and project operations management that involve multiple implementation partners, contractors, contracts for services, and funding sources.
• Experience with land and watershed science, policy, and management, including fire science, vegetation management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream restoration.
• Experience supervising and managing project-level staff.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest lands management.
• An understanding of Colorado and Wyoming natural resources and community-based issues.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.

Abilities and Skills. NFF expects the Rocky Mountain Region Program Manager to possess:

• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about recreation infrastructure, community-based conservation, and forest and watershed restoration projects.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to represent the NFF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS online, journal builder, and basic cartography and map design.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record.

Location: The location for this position is in Colorado. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout assigned sub-regions of the Rocky Mountain Region. This position is a remote/work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access.

Compensation: The NFF offers competitive compensation commensurate with candidate skills, experience, and location. Total rewards at NFF, beyond salary, include generous paid time off, employer contributions to health savings accounts, matching funds for retirement, and more. NFF has recently (August 2022) implemented a new compensation program with grade levels as part of our commitment to transparency. The salary range for this position will be in the $72,433 to $97,745 range. Please note that the indicated salary range describes the full range for an incumbent in this position. Most new staff generally start at the beginning of the range percentile to ensure internal salary equity.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Please Apply by September 28th. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in this search. Additional information on the National Forest Foundation can be found at

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