U.S. Reforestation Program Director

USA

#LI-REMOTE

#PDN

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.”

Large-scale reforestation can make a significant contribution to comprehensive climate action in the U.S. Scientists at The Nature Conservancy lead efforts to quantify (Fargione et al. 2018) and refine our understanding of the climate mitigation potential associated with reforestation (Cook Patton et al., U.2020;) and to document some of the challenges we need to address (Fargione et al., 2021) to reaching this potential.
The U.S. Reforestation Director is responsible for developing and advancing a large-scale reforestation strategy, including advising colleagues on reforestation best practices; and developing and helping to execute landscape reforestation plans in partnership with tribes; federal, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations and reforestation businesses with an emphasis on building a diverse and inclusive coalition vision; and developing solutions to barriers to growing the reforestation supply chain.
The location for this position is flexible. The starting salary range for this role is $113,000 to $125,000 dependent on location and experience, in addition to a robust benefits package.

The Reforestation Director (Director) works in partnership with TNC staff and Tribal, state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and businesses partners who are committed to scaling reforestation efforts in the US. They establish the Conservancy as a major partner on efforts to scale reforestation. The Director plans, directs, supports and implements TNC led actions with a cross-disciplinary team of Conservancy staff with expertise in government relations, climate change, forestry, agriculture and fundraising to drive for results. The Director will act as a principle contact with partners engaged in scaling reforestation in the US. They will convene and participate in collaborative work groups to identify collective strategies for improving enabling conditions and overcoming challenges to scaling reforestation, including advancing seed and tree seedling production strategies; address workforce challenges; increasing funding for reforestation; and designing implementation strategies to assist landowners. They track and disseminate and provide training and analyses on best practices for reforestation and will participate in the analysis of reforestation policies and programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Requires cross-boundary work and relationships with TNC colleagues and partners including Tribal Nations,
• Treaty Authorities, State/Federal/Local Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations across the U.S.
• Leads and manages high quality and effective multi-disciplinary staff which may include working with and supervising supervise staff at remote locations.
• Develops long-term strategies and achieves strategic goals and objectives.
• Makes independent strategic decisions frequently based on analysis, ambiguous information, experience and judgment.
• Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
• Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) and manages contractors.
• Frequently makes independently strategic decisions based on experience, analysis, and context.
• Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
• Travels domestically including evenings and occasional weekend hours.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Assists with fundraising.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements

• BA/BS degree and 10 years of experience in a reforestation related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience in partnership development with Tribes, government agencies, non-profit partners, businesses and community groups.
• Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• A graduate degree and 10-12 years’ experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a reforestation related field with one or more of the following: not for profit organizations, government agencies and/or businesses. Experience with more than one sector especially appreciated.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing reforestation policies and plans.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with a wide range of partners and playing a leadership role in multi entity work groups and/or coalitions.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in reforestation.
• Fundraising experience, including donor cultivation
• Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Politically savvy.

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.

Job Family: Conservation

Job Number: 250007

Salary Grade: 9

To apply for job ID 53010, 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.

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.

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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.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

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.