Southern Sierra Project Coordinator

Description

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer an Exempt, Full-time, 3-year term position that will build partnerships and connections to support the development and implementation of conservation projects and programs across the California National Forests, with a primary focus on the Southern Sierra National Forest(Stanislaus, Sierra, and Sequoia).

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1990. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

Position Function: The Southern Sierra Project Coordinator reports directly to the Southern Sierra Program Manager and works closely with California-based program staff and other NFF staff to provide project management, contract management, and program development support. The incumbent is responsible for helping develop and implement conservation programs with the U.S. Forest Service, communities, conservation NGOs, and private sector partners to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals. The position will focus primarily on projects located within the Sierra National Forests.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Southern Sierra Project Coordinator is responsible for:

• Working closely U.S. Forest Service partners to identify new projects related to forest health, wildfire risk reduction, community resilience, watershed improvement, ecosystem restoration, and recreation enhancement projects. 
• Leading the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to on-the-ground implementation of fuel reduction, commercial thinning, habitat restoration, critical access improvement, and community resiliency projects.
• Working directly with contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, partners, and the U.S. Forest Service to coordinate on-the-ground implementation of fuel reduction, commercial thinning, habitat restoration, critical access improvement, and community resiliency projects effectively and efficiently.
• Working with the U.S. Forest Service to help develop, modify, manage, and track large-scale Stewardship Agreements and Challenge Cost Share Agreements associated with forest restoration projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, commercial thinning, prescribed fire).
• Supporting expansion of the base 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 the U.S. Forest Service, California NGO partners, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Strengthening the NFF ability to support on-the-ground restoration and recreation projects by supporting activities that reinforce existing collaborations and help build new partnerships; 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.
• Serving as a point of contact for the NFF conservation activities on the Southern Sierra National Forests.
• Assisting as necessary with the NFF program of work in the State of California, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Southern Sierra Project Coordinator to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or professional certification in conservation, forestry, planning, landscape design, recreation planning, environmental science, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of work experience with conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation, preferably on federal lands
• You must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Southern Sierra Project Coordinator to possess the following proven abilities and skills:

• Ability to represent the NFF clearly and professionally through excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Exceptional communication skills, including strong and succinct persuasive writing. 
• Excellent research and analytical skills with a strong attention to detail. 
• Creativity and initiative; respond quickly to last-minute needs and changing priorities. 
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality. 
• Ability to understand and interpret conservation topics and project information. 
• Ability to execute well-defined processes with minimal supervision. 
• Strong time management and organization skills to align workload with competing requests and departmental priorities.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events. 
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within the Southern Sierra National Forest and beyond. 
• A valid U.S. Divers License and clean driving record.

Location: The location for this position can be based in a community within or near the Southern Sierra National Forests. Preferable locations are Sonora, Oakhurst, Mariposa, Fresno, Visalia, and Porterville. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout the Southern Sierra area. This position is a remote/work from home position and requires reliable internet access.

Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The salary range for this position is $75,000 with the ability to grow to $97,500 based on performance over time. Starting salary within this range is determined by a combination of experience, internal equity with comparable roles, and organizational budget, and is assessed annually as part of NFF's compensation review process.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Please apply by December 4th, 2026. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.