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 people 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 has programs and staff offices in New Mexico, Maine, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Forest Stewards Guild (the Guild) is hiring a full-time position in the Southeast! The Southeast Region Coordinator will support the growth of the Guild’s presence in the Southern Appalachian Mountains through member engagement, print and social media outreach, hosting webinars and in-person workshops, and collaborative event planning.

Position Description

A key focus for The Southeast Region Coordinator will be to support education and outreach efforts in print and digital formats; community, partner, and member engagement; and supporting Guild projects and programs that may include some field work. Key programs this position will engage with may include the Women Owning Woodlands Network, Seeing the Forest for the Queers community network for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, Guild membership, and Guild communications. This position will work closely with the Deputy Director, Communications Manager, and other program coordinators and managers in the east.  Primary duties for the Southeast Region Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• Developing outreach and education materials related to ecological forestry in print and digital formats.
• Engage and serve current members while attracting new members through field trips, conference calls, meetings, and virtual events.
• Assist with training for Guild field crews and youth corps participants.
• Coordinating events and leading workshops and field trips.
• Convene and facilitate collaborative and community meetings.
• Representing the Guild at collaborative partnership meetings, events, and conferences
• Some field work may be required, as needed, to assist with ecological monitoring and field inspections of forest restoration projects and to visit Guild field crews and youth corps crews on difficult or hazardous terrain, and in other physically demanding environments.
• Manage project workflow and collaborate with a team using software such as Asana, Slack, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams.
• Maintain relationships with diverse project partners across the region.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience in eastern forest ecosystems and communities
• Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources or environmental science related field OR related experience
• Experience with graphic design and producing print and digital media content
• Experience planning and facilitating workshops and other meetings or trainings
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and with a team
• Competency with Microsoft Office software
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite design software
• Valid driver’s license
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• The drive to strengthen and expand forest stewardship
• A positive attitude
• Competency with using Adobe design software

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a natural resources, environmental science or related field 
• Experience implementing, inspecting, and/or monitoring forest restoration projects
• Competency with using Esri ArcGIS
• Experience, interest, or qualifications in prescribed fire are appreciated, but not required
• Experience with website design and management
• Experience with membership recruitment and engagement

Compensation and Benefits Package  

• The position is a regular, full-time position.
• $26.40-$27.59 per hour.   
• Up to 64 hours paid sick leave per year accrued from the first day of employment.
• Paid leave is accrued monthly from the first day of employment.   
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Employer-sponsored comprehensive health and dental care coverage available after 30 days of employment.    
• Short and long-term disability policies paid by the Guild after 60 days of employment.   
• Life insurance provided by the Guild after 60 days.    
• Flexible compensation plan available after 60 days.   
• 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

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 career, and personal, growth.  

 Location

This is a fully remote position for applicants living in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Some travel will be required. Applicants living in the Asheville, NC area or southwest VA are preferred.  Other locations in the Southern Appalachians may be considered.

To apply

Interested applicants should visit the Smart Recruiters posting here: LINK, and click “I’m Interested” to submit a one-page cover letter, resume, examples of print and digital materials created, and three professional references. Applications must be received by Sunday September 22nd in order to be considered. 

NOTE: After clicking “Next” on the initial application page, you will have an opportunity to upload the cover letter and reference documents.

For questions about this position, please reach out to Matt Piccarello at matt at forestguild.org