Green Markets Program Manager

Sustainable Northwest brings entrepreneurial solutions to natural resources challenges to keep lands healthy and provide economic and community benefits. We believe a healthy economy, environment, and community are indivisible, and that all are strengthened by wise partnerships, policies, and investments.

Founded in 1994, our work focuses on forests, farms, and ranches; clean energy; water; and green markets throughout the Greater Northwest. Through this broad spectrum of work, we help to ensure both rural communities and urban centers have healthy landscapes, resilient economies, and engaged communities. We work on the ground in communities, collaborating to create long-term benefits.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Green Markets Program Manager is a full-time one-year contract, with the opportunity to convert into a permanent position pending anticipated funding, growth and individual preference. The Green Markets program has existed for 10 years and maintained steady growth with diversified revenue that includes fee-for-service, foundation, state, and federal contracts.

This role will build markets for wood products that advance community, equity, and conservation objectives in partnership with the sustainable building community, wood products companies, private, public, and tribally owned forestlands. Travel is required for forest work, visits to manufacturing facilities, FSC member site audits, and partner meetings.

Led by the Green Markets Program Director, the three-person Green Markets program affords the flexibility of a small team with organizational support and network of the full Sustainable Northwest team. Roles within the program overlap; we do not expect applicants to be experts in all named areas of the job description. Annual work plans are built mindful of each persons’ strengths and personal interests.This position reports to Director of Green Markets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Green Markets Program Manager must have entrepreneurial qualities, the ability to work independently, and balance a set of competing external and internal requests. The role is a non-supervisory team member, expected to engage with, collaborate, and provide technical assistance across multiple projects, with diverse clients and partners.

Lead the following initiatives:

1. Represent Sustainable Northwest on the Climatesmart Wood Group
2. Represent Sustainable Northwest on the Sustainable Buildings 4 All coalition
3. Lead wood product mapping and market development for wood sourcing from PNW tribal communities
4. Lead forest management impacts measurement for: water, habitat, fire risk, jobs, and community values

Support the following initiatives:

1. Cultivate fee-for-service, government, and foundation revenue for continued work
2. Support SNW’s FSC group certification for small businesses
3. Support restoration wood market development and documentation
4. Support restoration wood and tribal wood storytelling

CONTRACT DUTIES:

• Support existing and initiate new work to increase market awareness, access, and use of wood that delivers community, equity, and conservation outcomes.
• Develop relationships with and provide assistance and market access to organizations, Pacific Northwest tribes, and businesses to support and grow the market for wood sourced from Pacific Northwest tribally owned and managed forestlands.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities to support and expand the program.
• Work with the team to apply for grants and contracts.
• Support the collection and use of impact data related to wood procurement and forest management related to fire risk, habitat, water, jobs, and carbon.
• Develop and maintain strong, trusting, and effective relationships with a broad diversity of SNW partners, including conservation organizations, wood products distributors, fabricators, mills, logging and forestry contractors, Indian Tribes Natural Resources Departments, private landowners, and state and federal agencies.
• Support management and growth of SNW’s FSC Group Chain of Custody certificate program in both the US and Canada.
• Actively engage in organizational and program-specific work to advance equitable outcomes and emphasize inclusive and diverse partnerships, including growth and outreach to BIPOC owned wood products businesses.
• Work with the Program Director and team on individual and program wide work plans, and associated strategic planning documents.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, forestry, business, wood products, or equivalent.
• 3+ years’ work experience in sustainable business, natural resource management, forest restoration, wood products, or similar.
• Graduate work, Master of Science (MS) or similar, may qualify for 2 yrs of experience.
• Demonstrated project management skill.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment,
• Self-awareness and willingness to seek advice and input from others (board, staff, outside specialists, etc.)
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Grant writing and reporting experience.

PREFERRED:

• Understanding of the ecological, social, cultural, and institutional landscape of forest ecology and management in Oregon.
• Experience working with coalitions of private nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Understanding of watershed councils, land trusts, and/or community-based organizations.
• Knowledge of ecological forest restoration, forest management practices, Forest Service and other state and federal agencies’ land policies and regulations, science-based decision making, program and project management, and collaborative processes.
• Knowledge of PNW Indian Tribes (federally and non-federally recognized), treaty rights, reserved rights, government-to-government relationships, and trust responsibilities.

PLEASE NOTE:

The required skills and experience listed above are what we believe is necessary to succeed in this position. That being said, we encourage all interested applicants to apply and underscore applicable skills unique to you in your cover letter.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

The contract is based on 1,820 hours of work at $35-$50/hour. The hourly rate is based on experience and equity with existing SNW contracts and staff and is comparable to a $50-$70K salary and benefits package.

TO APPLY

Please click "Apply" below to email cover letter, resume, and one writing sample to Hannah Meganck, with ‘Green Markets Program Manager’ in the subject line. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. No phone calls or email inquiries, please. Position will remain open until filled. Interview questions will be provided 24 hours in advance. References will be requested of finalist candidates.

Sustainable Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and individuals from historically underrepresented groups, whose experience will strengthen our organization and innovations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, national origin; gender, gender identity or sexual orientation; age, ability, or other legally protected status. We offer reimbursements for necessary and reasonable travel expenses incurred during the final in-person interview.