Southern Region Director
The National Forest Foundation, Billings Metropolitan Area, MT, United States
Position Overview
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is hiring a Southern Region Director in Montana to lead restoration, conservation, and recreation programs across the Southern Region. This full‑time leadership role involves managing funding, supervising staff, and collaborating with partners to support strategic initiatives.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
Oversee, advance, and continue to grow the NFF program of work across numerous National Forests in the Region.
Build and develop a close and mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. Forest Service, the NFF, and other state, federal, local government, and NGO partners in the Southern Region to implement effective forest health, wildfire mitigation, outdoor recreation, and community‑based conservation projects.
Directly manage ongoing programs of work in the Southern Region including NFF’s role in the hurricane recovery efforts, recreation initiatives, and other community‑collaboration priorities.
Develop new programs and support the implementation of conservation projects with public and private sector partners that support the NFF’s strategic initiatives and long‑term goals across the Southern Region.
Directly supervise field staff positions and their respective programs of work within the Intermountain Region and provide oversight, coaching, and regular guidance for a broader team of staff across the Region.
Provide guidance and coordination among NFF field staff positions within the Region and other integrated NFF positions to support the comprehensive delivery of NFF’s programs and services in the Intermountain Region.
Organize, manage, and facilitate regular Southern Region team meetings, and develop processes and systems for effective and efficient operations across the Southern Region staff team.
Expand the base of private sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities and creating new development opportunities.
Support the development and management of program and project‑level budgets.
Review and provide due diligence for incoming and outgoing grants, contracts, and agreements associated with the program of work in the Southern Region.
Effectively communicate with and engage the public in caring for their National Forests and Grasslands through community‑based conservation initiatives.
Maintain 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.
Serve as a point of contact in conservation and development activities in the Southern Region.
Education and Qualifications
Postgraduate degree in a natural resources‑related field, or equivalent experience.
Five to ten years of experience with proven results in conservation programming and related community‑based collaborative conservation to include a strong knowledge of and experience in U.S. Forest Service policies, procedures, and regulations.
Experience managing a fully remote, growing staff team across a wide geographic region with complex project and funding management responsibilities.
Involvement in project planning, management, accomplishment, 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.
Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
A deep understanding of natural resources and conservation issues across the Southern Region.
Familiarity with and knowledge of the history and culture across the Southern Region, including lived experience, work, and/or training based in or connected to Native communities and/or other groups underrepresented in conservation.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
Strong writing skills, facilitation, and public speaking experience.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Abilities and Skills
Ability to understand and clearly communicate about recreation infrastructure, community‑based conservation, and forest and watershed restoration projects.
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 regularly, 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.
A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record.
Location The position is flexible within the Southern Region (VA, KY, AR, OK, TX, LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, TN, and Puerto Rico) and requires regular travel. This remote / work‑from‑home role requires reliable internet access.
Compensation NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The starting salary range is $103,750 to $126,875, with potential growth to $150,000 based on performance.
Benefits Health and Wellness:
Medical and dental insurance paid at 75%.
Vision insurance paid 50%.
Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878–$3,750 per year.
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.
Financial Wellbeing:
403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of service.
Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance at no cost.
Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
Whole life insurance at a discounted rate.
Flexibility and Time Off:
Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays.
Family & medical leave up to 16 weeks with up to 4 weeks paid.
Personal Development:
Training & Development Programs.
Professional development reimbursement up to $1,000 per year.
Journey of a Lifetime:
Opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to spectacular locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment.
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Position Duties and Responsibilities
Oversee, advance, and continue to grow the NFF program of work across numerous National Forests in the Region.
Build and develop a close and mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. Forest Service, the NFF, and other state, federal, local government, and NGO partners in the Southern Region to implement effective forest health, wildfire mitigation, outdoor recreation, and community‑based conservation projects.
Directly manage ongoing programs of work in the Southern Region including NFF’s role in the hurricane recovery efforts, recreation initiatives, and other community‑collaboration priorities.
Develop new programs and support the implementation of conservation projects with public and private sector partners that support the NFF’s strategic initiatives and long‑term goals across the Southern Region.
Directly supervise field staff positions and their respective programs of work within the Intermountain Region and provide oversight, coaching, and regular guidance for a broader team of staff across the Region.
Provide guidance and coordination among NFF field staff positions within the Region and other integrated NFF positions to support the comprehensive delivery of NFF’s programs and services in the Intermountain Region.
Organize, manage, and facilitate regular Southern Region team meetings, and develop processes and systems for effective and efficient operations across the Southern Region staff team.
Expand the base of private sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities and creating new development opportunities.
Support the development and management of program and project‑level budgets.
Review and provide due diligence for incoming and outgoing grants, contracts, and agreements associated with the program of work in the Southern Region.
Effectively communicate with and engage the public in caring for their National Forests and Grasslands through community‑based conservation initiatives.
Maintain 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.
Serve as a point of contact in conservation and development activities in the Southern Region.
Education and Qualifications
Postgraduate degree in a natural resources‑related field, or equivalent experience.
Five to ten years of experience with proven results in conservation programming and related community‑based collaborative conservation to include a strong knowledge of and experience in U.S. Forest Service policies, procedures, and regulations.
Experience managing a fully remote, growing staff team across a wide geographic region with complex project and funding management responsibilities.
Involvement in project planning, management, accomplishment, 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.
Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
A deep understanding of natural resources and conservation issues across the Southern Region.
Familiarity with and knowledge of the history and culture across the Southern Region, including lived experience, work, and/or training based in or connected to Native communities and/or other groups underrepresented in conservation.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
Strong writing skills, facilitation, and public speaking experience.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Abilities and Skills
Ability to understand and clearly communicate about recreation infrastructure, community‑based conservation, and forest and watershed restoration projects.
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 regularly, 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.
A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record.
Location The position is flexible within the Southern Region (VA, KY, AR, OK, TX, LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, TN, and Puerto Rico) and requires regular travel. This remote / work‑from‑home role requires reliable internet access.
Compensation NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The starting salary range is $103,750 to $126,875, with potential growth to $150,000 based on performance.
Benefits Health and Wellness:
Medical and dental insurance paid at 75%.
Vision insurance paid 50%.
Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878–$3,750 per year.
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.
Financial Wellbeing:
403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of service.
Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance at no cost.
Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
Whole life insurance at a discounted rate.
Flexibility and Time Off:
Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays.
Family & medical leave up to 16 weeks with up to 4 weeks paid.
Personal Development:
Training & Development Programs.
Professional development reimbursement up to $1,000 per year.
Journey of a Lifetime:
Opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to spectacular locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr