NEFF Employment Opportunities

Job opening:  Forest Director

The New England Forestry Foundation seeks a Forest Director to serve as the Foundation’s chief forest policy director and spokesperson and to oversee the organization’s community forests and forestry. 

This position brings together the three equally important components of NEFF’s land activities – land protection, forest stewardship and conservation easement management.  This is designed to capitalize on opportunities where these components intersect, achieve efficiencies, and provide opportunities for cross-training.  The Forest Director will work in close coordination with NEFF’s outreach and educational programs with a focus on NEFF’s demonstration community forests.

Responsibilities

Forest Policy and Information

The Forest Director will serve as the chief policy director, spokesperson and external contact and information resource regarding forestry and forest management and represent NEFF to other organizations and leaders within the New England forest and conservation community.  Duties will include developing, collecting, analyzing and disseminating data and results from NEFF forest management, research, and studies.  It also will involve making presentations at professional and other chosen venues.

Land Protection

Working with the Director of Land Protection, the Forest Director will have overall responsibility for the Foundation’s land protection activities.  Duties will include implementing NEFF’s land protection goals; supporting relationships with private landowners, partner organizations, and government agencies; and providing assistance as needed to complete land transactions.  A particular land protection interest is increasing NEFF’s holdings of land in fee. 

Forest Management

The Forest Director will be responsible for managing NEFF community forests. 

- Regional forest management planning
- Annual timber revenue
- Certification under both FSC and American Tree Farm systems and carbon sequestration certification at Hersey Mountain
-property management and maintenance of forest recreation facilities, trails, roads, boundaries and other important features, including Prouty facility maintenance
-public use/access policies and permission 

NEFF’s forest management also involves on-going forest asset assessment and analysis for timber harvest improvement, and includes analysis of annual revenue from wood harvests and other activities on NEFF land; of forest sustainability, health, productivity and biodiversity maintenance and improvement; and of forest inventory and growth calculations.

Conservation Easement Stewardship

Working with the Conservation Easement Coordinator/Forester, the Director will oversee the stewardship and monitoring of NEFF’s conservation easements.  Duties include insuring that baseline reports are completed and that annual monitoring is successfully implemented.  Other aspects of easement stewardship for which the Director is responsible include support of relationships with easement landowners, easement enforcement, property management issues, and the maintenance of databases, records, and files. 

Fund-raising and Outreach

The Director will seek funding support from individuals, foundations and public agencies.  He/she will develop positive relationships with the forest management and conservation community, including landowners, timber harvesters, wood manufacturers, and the public.

He/she will increase communication and outreach through signage, public events and individual contacts; coordinate and provide assistance with projects with NEFF’s outreach and education programs; and lead community forest advisory groups such as at Groton Place and Horace Clark.

Personnel and Management

The Forest Director will supervise the Land Protection Director and Conservation Easement Coordinator/Forester, mentor future resource management professionals through the intern program, and manage volunteers as needed.

He/she will prepare and be responsible for annual budgets; and maintain high quality accurate data about each community forest, including management plans, harvest records, deeds, GIS, inventories, recreation use, and historic information. 

Qualifications

We seek a seasoned professional with forest education and industry background as well as knowledge about land conservation.  Candidates must be an SAF Certified Forester (CF) and Licensed Forester in at least one of the states where NEFF has property and that offer state licenseing (NH, MA, ME, CT). 

The Forest Director must be results oriented and have a proven ability to initiate and implement organizational improvements.  With respect to NEFF’s land holdings, individuals should be able to think beyond the traditional and individual “New England woodlot” level, and harness and optimize the cumulative effect of over 100 parcels in five New England states.

Skills and abilities necessary for this position include:

• planning, tracking and completing tasks in a timely manner and working on multiple tasks simultaneously;
• knowledge of biometrics theory and practice of statistical sampling and analysis and preparation of timber sales and forest management plans, and 
• experience with implementing and meeting forest certification system requirements; and
• fluency with computer database management and ability to use GIS.
 

Candidates must demonstrate, enthusiasm, good judgment and excellent interpersonal and communication written and verbal skills.  Forest industry and land conservation knowledge and contacts are a plus.  Candidates must be willing to travel extensively within the New England region.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience.  NEFF offers a competitive benefits package, including a 401(K), health and dental coverage, paid vacation, short & long term, AD&D and life  insurance. 

Application

Send resume and cover letter in confidence to:

Maria Garcia
Accounting and Personnel Manager
New England Forestry Foundation
P.O. Box 1346
Littleton, MA 01460
mgarcia@newenglandforestry.org
978 952 6856 (p)
978 952 6356 (f)

Electronic submission of credentials is strongly encouraged.  We would appreciate receiving applications by June 8, 2010. 

New England Forestry Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of candidates.

Volunteer Easement Monitor Needed

The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) is looking for an energetic individual interested in volunteering to help monitor its conservation easements. NEFF is a private non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and ecologically sound management of privately owned forests in New England and beyond. NEFF holds 130 conservations easements covering more than 1.1 million acres. In order to fulfill its mission and the intent of its conservation easements, NEFF must monitor these properties on a regular basis to ensure the landowners are acting in accordance with the purpose, terms, and restrictions of the conservation easements.  

The volunteer will coordinate and perform field visits to properties throughout New England and prepare written reports summarizing their visit. The volunteer will report to NEFF’s Conservation Easement Coordinator who will provide training and assistance tailored to the volunteer’s needs.

Duties

·         Perform field visits to selected conservation easements throughout New England to monitor for compliance with terms and restrictions

·         Document condition of the property using written description, digital camera, and GPS

·         Prepare reports of field visits including written description of monitoring activities, pictures, and maps

Qualifications

·         Able to walk outdoors over uneven terrain for extended periods of time in varying conditions (hot, cold, rain, insects)

·         Able to use a map, compass, and GPS to navigate through the forest and back again

·         Good organizational skills

·         Good written communication skills

·         Maintain a professional relationship with landowners and staff

·         Familiar with typical New England landscapes including tree identification

·         Familiar with typical timber harvesting methods used in New England

·         Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

·         Travel expenses will not be reimbursed but are tax deductible

Time Commitment

·         Flexible but roughly two days a month

o   Site visits will require between a half day and a full day depending on travel and size of property

o   Report preparation will require 1-4 hours per report

·         Two year position including a 6-month trial period

Please contact Chris Pryor at cpryor@newenglandforestry.org if interested or with questions.