Project Manager, Forests

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Audubon North Carolina has a robust forest program that has included working with private landowners and public land managers in the forested landscapes in the state to implement forest management practices to enhance habitat for priority birds. Reporting to the Director of Conservation, and working with other State and Center Staff, the Forests Project Manager will be charged with leading forest protection and stewardship efforts across North Carolina. The position will have a specific focus on landscapes identified by Audubon scientists as priority forests.

This role will contribute to Audubon’s Healthy Forests and Climate initiatives that protect and restore Climate Stronghold Forests across the Atlantic Flyway. They will co-create and conduct education and outreach programs in partnership with strategic partners targeting forest owners and managers, both public and private, to promote sustainable forest management techniques that create and protect habitat required by priority forest bird species. The Project Manager will effectively train foresters on bird-friendly management practices; conduct field assessments, and consult with forest land owners and managers on management plans for their properties.
They will collaborate with Audubon staff from North Carolina and other states in the Atlantic Flyway, as well as with partner organizations that share Audubon’s forest conservation objectives. In addition, the Forest Project Manager will work with and advise Audubon North Carolina’s Director of Conservation as well as other program leads (e.g. Bird Friendly Communities, Coastal Resilience, and Policy) in the pursuit of policies and programs that promote and support our forest conservation goals.

National Audubon Society is in the process of completing a new strategic plan and Audubon North Carolina is finalizing a complementary state implementation plan. The Forests Project Manger will contribute to both of these processes. Forest focus areas have been identified throughout the Atlantic Flyway, with a long-term goal of increasing the proportions of those areas that are protected from conversion to non-forest uses and managed in ways that are compatible with the habitat needs of priority species. These forests also provide nature-based solutions for the effects of climate change through carbon storage, sequestration, and climate resilience.

Compensation:

$55,000 - $60,000 / year

• Develop decision-making framework to help forest managers identify treatments in specific situations that benefit target bird species.
• Promote training program for foresters to increase their understanding of integrating silviculture and forest management for birds.
• Develop, plan, and deliver outreach programs, in collaboration with partners, to promote sustainable forest management that also helps create habitat required by priority bird species and nature-based climate solutions.
• Conduct workshops and outreach to private landowners, public land managers, foresters, and others.
• Conduct field site visits and assess properties and management plans in order to provide management options to improve bird habitat; and write habitat management plans.
• Serve as a leader and expert on forest management and forest bird habitat requirements in order to advise other Audubon North Carolina staff members.
• Actively seek new partnership opportunities with historically underserved and marginalized communities.
• Collaborate with other Audubon staff in surrounding states on Healthy Forests and Climate Stronghold projects.
• Enhance existing and establish new partnerships with state and federal agencies and NGOs.
• Assist with strategic technical review and comment development on public land management related to forest conservation.
• Work with land trusts, state and federal government agencies, and other strategic conservation partners to achieve conservation results shared with Audubon’s forest program.
• Identify funding opportunities to further the forest program, and assist with writing grant proposals, developing grant reports and meeting with donors, as needed to support the forest program.
• Partner with Audubon staff to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into our forestry work.
• Give public presentations and participate in bird walks as related to the forest program.
• Assist with other project-related activities deemed necessary by Audubon North Carolina and partners.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, conservation biology, or a closely related field required, as well as a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. Master’s degree preferred and an equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Knowledge of forestry and forest management techniques that are employed in eastern forests.
• Experience with forest systems and ecosystem services a must.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.Familiarity with forests and forest landscapes of North Carolina/Southern Appalachians. Knowledge forest birds of North Carolina and their habitat requirements a plus.
• Must be results-oriented; success will be evaluated by a number of co-created metrics that may include forest owners and managers reached, number of foresters trained, and, ultimately, by acres of habitat properly managed and its impact on birds.
• Experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities and a commitment to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion as a core component of our work.
• Passion for and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.
• This position requires a self-motivated, independent, progress-driven individual who is capable of interacting with a variety of public and private landowners and conservation partners.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications also required.
• Arc GIS skills a plus but not required.
• Ability to traverse uneven and steep terrain with or without accommodation in inclement weather.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a larger team in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Strong social skills with a positive attitude and good sense of humor.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle and be able to provide your own transportation.

This position is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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