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ABOUT US

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years. 

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible (DEIA) workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Whitebark pine is an iconic tree species that thrives at high elevations across seven western US states and is known as both a keystone and foundation species where it exists. Whitebark pine populations have been in a well-documented decline as a result of three primary threats: white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles, and climate induced changes (drought, changing fire regimes). Whitebark pine was listed as threatened on January 17, 2023, under the Endangered Species Act, and is the widest ranging tree species to receive this designation.

In 2023, American Forests partnered with the National Park Service under a five-year agreement to work together to restore whitebark pine populations in western National Parks. As a part of this agreement, American Forests is working with National Park Units in the Pacific Northwest to expand restoration capacity and leadership for whitebark pine. This position is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to gain experience working within both federal and nonprofit sectors. This position will be positioned within the Resilient Forests program at American Forests but will be directly supervised by ecologists at National Park units. The incumbent will work independently on projects as directed by supervising staff and in consultation with NPS and partner subject matter experts.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Whitebark Pine Data Management (20%)

• Compile and organize existing whitebark pine data within Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks.
• Analyze quantitative, categorical, and spatial data and summarize findings of whitebark pine status and health assessment for the three parks.
• Share summary compilation of current data with park units, nonprofit and federal agency and tribal partners.
• Work with NPS staff to outline priority populations for conservation actions and ensure that NPS project planning targets these populations. 

Develop Whitebark Pine Recovery and Conservation Plan (55%)

• Work with National Park Service staff, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partners to assemble a 20-year plan for priority conservation, management and recovery of whitebark pine populations in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks.
• Develop inventory and monitoring plans for existing populations and restoration actions.
• Review literature and research on conservation and restoration best practices.
  Coordinate compliance for the conservation and restoration planning with NPS units.
• Serve as lead author of a Section 7 Biological Assessment in consultation with US Fish and Wildlife Service and work with park wilderness and historical preservation coordinators to meet park compliance needs.

Program Administration (15%)

• Train and coordinate work of field crews tasked with restoration and monitoring work
  Begin implementing restoration actions in priority locations
• Work with partners to support restoration and conservation actions
• Participate in regular American Forests Resilient Forest team and regional program meetings, ensuring that this position is an active and visible component of our work in the Pacific Northwest.
• Represent American Forests and National Park units in regular coordination meetings with external stakeholders and partners.  

Collateral duties (10%)

• Work on related Resilient Forests projects
• Work with science communicators and interpretive staff to share work products and highlights
   

QUALIFICATIONS

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated proficiency in: 1) forestry, botany, ecological restoration, or other ecological field work, 2) experience in data summarization and reporting, including spatial data, 3) project development and coordination with a team, 4) planning field work and training field staff in restoration or monitoring actions
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Agriculture, or a related field. Master’s degree or graduate education leading to master’s degree in related field preferred (this education can supersede undergraduate degree field).
• Familiarity with whitebark pine, whitebark pine habitat, or similar threatened species and systems.
• A well-rounded, interpersonal skill set with the capacity to build and maintain relationships within a small team, with agency staff, service subcontractors, landowners and researchers, and to work effectively in a larger team environment, both regionally and nationally
• Impact-driven, self-motivated quality with strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to meet recurring deadlines
• Ability to conceptualize annual project targets, characterize site-specific challenges through scoping activities and meet annual goals with measurable impacts; the ability to adapt as needed
• Candidate must be a US Citizen, Permanent Resident or Green card holder; or must have lived for three consecutive years of the last five years within the US and have a legal permit to reside and work in the US.