National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time position that will develop and implement watershed health projects, including wetland, riparian, and meadow restoration projects. The Coordinator will work in the Colorado River Basin, primarily focused on projects on National Forests units in Arizona and New Mexico. The position will be based in Arizona and will work in both Arizona and New Mexico.

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

Position Function. The Watershed Coordinator, Southwest, will report directly to the Arizona Program Manager and work closely with the Southwest Program Sr. Manager and field staff across Arizona and New Mexico. The incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing wetland and watershed health projects and programs with the U.S. Forest Service, other federal and state agencies, communities, conservation NGOs, and private sector partners to support the NFF’s low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) program in the Colorado River Watershed. Through the LTPBR program, the Coordinator will be expected to advance an ambitious scope of work to help restore the headwaters of the Colorado River Basin, the majority of which are located on National Forest System lands.

Position Duties and Responsibilities. The Watershed Coordinator, Southwest is responsible for:

• Coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service and other academic, scientific, state, federal and private entity partners to integrate, coalesce, and facilitate the development of spatial tools to assess, track, and prioritize LTPBR and other priority watershed projects.
• Working with the U.S. Forest Service and other partners to prioritize LTPBR projects across National Forests in New Mexico and Arizona.
• Understanding and addressing project-management needs that must be met to advance projects, including funding, environmental analysis, assessment, design, implementation capacity, and policy needs.
• Proactively coordinating with U.S. Forest Service staff and partners from academic, scientific, and other state, federal, and private entities to create systems for large-scale project implementation and post-project monitoring.
• Leading the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to the design and on-the-ground implementation of LTPBR and other watershed and wetland health projects.
• Working directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, agency partners, and private landowners to coordinate on-the-ground implementation of projects effectively and efficiently.
• Working with the U.S. Forest Service to help develop, modify, manage, and track large-scale Stewardship Agreements, Participating Agreements, and Challenge Cost Share Agreements associated with projects.
• Managing budgets and reporting associated with grants from federal, state, and local government sources, as well as philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Supporting the expansion of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing grants.
• Building and maintaining close and mutually beneficial relationships among federal and state agency partners, local government, nonprofit organizations, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Strengthening the NFF’s ability to support on-the-ground wetland and watershed health projects by supporting activities that reinforce existing collaborations and help build new partnerships.
• Participating in a team working to expand NFF’s ability to quantify and monitor the benefits of watershed health projects through techniques such as volumetric water replenishment estimates, sediment/erosion modeling, and other approaches.
• Maintaining 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.
• Assisting as necessary with the NFF program of work in Arizona and New Mexico, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.

Education and Qualifications. NFF expects the Watershed Coordinator, Southwest to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree, in conservation, watershed science, forestry, natural resource management, environmental science or related field.
• At least three years of work experience with conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation.
• Involvement in project planning, coordination, 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.
• ArcGIS and spatial data management skills, including experience creating and managing spatial tools for large-scale projects.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest System management.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills. NFF expects the Watershed Coordinator, Southwest to possess:

• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about LTPBR projects and other watershed health projects and partnerships.
• 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 frequently across a large geographic area, as well as a willingness to 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, cartography, and map design.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License.

Location: The location for this position is in Arizona.  Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout Arizona and New Mexico. 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 $58,240 to $78,624 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: Applicants must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Position is open until August 14th. 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. For more information about the National Forest Foundation, visit the website at: www.nationalforests.org