Outreach Forester

The Outreach Forester at the American Forest Foundation focuses on building relationships with landowners in Florida for the Family Forest Carbon Program. Responsibilities include providing technical assistance, conducting remote consultations and on-the-ground visits, managing a portfolio of landowners, and collaborating with the forestry team. Candidates should have a degree in forestry or related fields, along with relevant experience and strong interpersonal skills.
About the position

The Outreach Forester, Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP), builds relationships with and provides direct technical assistance to landowners interested in the FFCP. This role ensures a positive experience and excellent stewardship of landowners involved in Improved Forest Management (IFM) and Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) practices of Family Forest Carbon Program. First and foremost, this role will provide top-notch “customer service” and management information/options to landowners. This includes keeping track of follow-up steps for landowners and engaging in remote and on-the-ground visits with interested landowners. The Outreach Forester works collaboratively with the Southern Senior Forestry Manager, and the rest of the National Forestry Team to plan projects for landowners. This position will focus on the states of Florida but may be subject to traveling to other regions and states periodically. Ideally a candidate will reside in the Alachua, Putnam, Marion, FL area.

Responsibilities
• Steward a portfolio of landowners, including conducting initial phone calls, keeping track of follow-up steps using an online Customer Relationship Management tool, and continuing to engage with landowners through the enrolment process.
• Conduct remote consultations and on-the-ground visits with interested landowners, including conducting forest inventory measurements and delineating eligible marginal row crop and/or marginal pastureland projects to be planted in loblolly pine.
• Utilize forest measurements and make calculations using various computer tools, including Excel, Customer Relationship Management Tools, and ArcGIS to determine woodland eligibility and plan FFCP projects on behalf of landowners.
• Apply forestry skills and measurements to develop forest management plans for landowners’ woodlands enrolled in the FFCP.
• Collaborate with the FFCP team and landowners to ensure a positive landowner experience and seek ways to streamline and improve the program for landowners.
• Ensure that each landowner has a positive experience and provide excellent stewardship of landowners involved in the Family Forest Carbon Program.
• Provide timely follow-up and answer questions for landowners as they consider enrolling in the Family Forest Carbon Program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
• 2 or 4-year degree in forestry, natural resource management, wildlife habitat management, ecology, ecosystem management, etc. and 1-2 years of experience in forest operations, forest carbon, conservation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic computer literacy, including experience with Microsoft Office suite of programs and GIS.
• Both personable and flexible with the ability to work under pressure and adapt based on what is learned through experience.
• A sound work ethic with the ability to act both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong initiative; a self-starter with tenacity, resilience, and high energy.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a wide variety of constituencies, including co-workers, business and community leaders, partners, donors, board members, volunteers, public officials, and the public at large, in a wide variety of settings.
• Customer service mindset
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to effectively plan and problem solve.
• Time management skills, with the ability to prioritize, coordinate and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.

Nice-to-haves
• SAF accreditation, and/or on the list for the MI Registered Forester Program.
• Experience working directly with forest landowners with demonstrated positive outcomes.
• Familiarity with forest dendrology and mensuration.
• Experience with forest management plans for timber and wildlife outcomes, and forest certification programs.
• Understanding of the relevance of sustainability, climate science and policy, natural climate solutions, and carbon sequestration.

Benefits
• AFF offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
• We offer a flexible work environment that respects your life outside of work.