The Forest Stewards Guild, a national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals, is dedicated to practicing and promoting responsible forestry as a means of sustaining the integrity of forest ecosystems and the human communities dependent upon them. The Guild has 700 members, over half of whom are professionals who manage over 42 million acres of forestland in the United States and Canada. The Guild maintains regional offices in New Mexico, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Lake States Region Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the Forestry for Minnesota Birds initiative and other Guild projects across the Great Lakes region and beyond. Candidates should be deeply rooted in northern forests, have education and experience in ecology, forestry, and conservation, and bring strong organizational and communication skills.

The successful candidate will have a degree in forestry, wildlife biology, ecology, natural resource management, or related field with professional experience. The Coordinator will have excellent organizational, communication, and written skills, possess the ability to work alone, and a demonstrated passion for advancing ecological forestry in the Great Lakes Region. The Guild has a strong base in the Lake States, and the ideal candidate will display the drive to sustain and strengthen the Guild’s regional presence and impact. Previous experience in avian ecology, silviculture, and/or field forestry in the region, coupled with project management experience, is highly desirable.

The Lake States Region Coordinator will focus primarily on coordination and content development for the Forestry for Minnesota Birds effort. This will include scheduling and coordinating events and working with subject matter experts to write a series of informational guides for landowners and forest managers which encourage forest stewardship practices that enhance habitat for Minnesota’s forest birds.

This position will also support membership activities, as well as emerging areas in forest stewardship. The Coordinator will work closely with our Minnesota-based Lake States Director and collaborate with Guild staff across the country. This person will partner with a wide range of organizations and agencies throughout the region, including a close connection with the Avian Ecology Lab at the University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute and the American Bird Conservancy.  

The successful individual will:

• Develop and facilitate education and outreach activities for the Forestry for Minnesota Birds program geared towards private landowners and natural resource professionals.
• Convene and facilitate collaborative and community meetings.
• Communicate with project partners and collaborate with teams using software such as Asana, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams.
• Track budgets, match, metrics, and deliverables for projects.
• Maintain relationships with diverse project partners across multiple states.
• Represent the Guild at professional conferences or events and perform public speaking, such as PowerPoint presentations or panel discussions.
• Write grants and reports for a variety of different funders, including private foundations and government grants.
• As projects require, work in variable weather conditions, in remote locations, on difficult or hazardous terrain, and in other physically demanding environments.
• Engage Forest Stewards Guild members through conference calls and meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience in forest ecosystems of the Great Lakes region
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in forestry, wildlife biology, ecology, or other natural resources field
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and with a team
• Project management experience
• Effective knowledge of common software applications
• Valid driver’s license
• The drive to strengthen and expand forest stewardship in the Lake States

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional or personal interest and knowledge of the region’s forest birds
• Knowledge of silvicultural systems in the Great Lakes region
• Experience with document development and design
• Experience or interest in prescribed fire
• Grant writing experience

Compensation and Benefits Package  

• $24.65 per hour.   
• Paid leave is accrued monthly from the first day of employment   
• 12 paid holidays per year   
• Employer-sponsored comprehensive health and dental care coverage is available on the first day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment    
• Short and long-term disability policies paid by The Guild after 60 days of employment   
• Accidental death/dismemberment and life insurance policies paid by The Guild after 60 days    
• Flexible compensation plan available after 60 days    
• Participation in a retirement plan with an employer match is available after 90 days 
• Family Leave after 12 months, including up to six weeks paid leave and six weeks unpaid leave   
• Compassionate leave after first day of employment, 3 paid days for a qualifying event 

The Guild is dedicated to providing an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication and are committed to recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and supporting staff from underrepresented communities. We are dedicated to building a work culture that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports a healthy work-life balance, and provides an environment that supports personal and job growth.   

Location  

The preferred location is Duluth, MN. Other locations in Minnesota or Wisconsin will be considered. Office space will be provided at the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth, MN if desired. Home office (work from home) is a possibility in combination with in-office workdays. A proven record of successful independent remote work is desirable.

How to apply  

Interested applicants should click “I’m Interested” to submit a one-page cover letter, resume, one-page writing sample, three professional references, and earliest available start date by 11:59 p.m. on March 5, 2023. We prefer all application materials to be combined into one PDF. After clicking “Next” on the initial application page, you will have another opportunity to upload more documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you are having trouble submitting materials on Smart Recruiters, you may email materials to mike at forestguild.org. 

The one-page writing sample format is flexible. It can be on a natural resource subject of your choice; it can be a press release, newsletter article, research brief, or other sample of your writing capabilities.

DEADLINE: Sunday, March 5th at 11:59 PM  

Questions can be directed to Michael Lynch at (608)449-0647 or mike (at) forestguild.org.  

We believe that a diverse workforce reflects the strengths of all members of our community. The Forest Stewards Guild strives to create a collaborative, supportive, and respectful setting for all employees and partners. To meet this goal, we recognize and celebrate the wide range of differences that characterize our members, employees, partners, and collaborators. Indeed, it is those differences that enhance our organization and help us to meet our mission and vision. The Guild values diverse forests because they are more productive, more resilient, more adaptable, and better able to recover from disturbances. Similarly, our community is healthier when we are inclusive of a diversity of people and perspectives. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.