Program Director, Western Forests

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is dedicated to sustaining, restoring and enhancing the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations.

NFWF builds partnerships between leading U.S. corporations and the federal agencies, nonprofits and individuals who drive conservation efforts across the United States.

We leverage public funds to raise private dollars, and award those funds to projects that will do the most good across a wide range of landscapes.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, WESTERN FORESTS

Summary  

This position will manage strategic development and implementation of the Foundation’s work on Western National Forests in the Northern, Pacific Northwest and Southern Pacific Forest Service Regions and forests which cover watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean. The focus will be to implement conservation strategies which help protect landscapes from high intensity wildfires, restoration of areas that have been impacted by fire, and where a comprehensive restoration strategy would improve watersheds and species. The incumbent is responsible for developing strategies and programs, securing funding opportunities, managing applicable funding sources, managing advisory committees, interacting with existing and potential grant/contract recipients, coordinating proposal reviews, drafting recommendations for staff and Board action, and closely coordinating program efforts with the Director, Western Regional Office (Director) and other Foundation staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Expand and strengthen the NFWF presence/reputation as an essential leader in forest conservation and restoration issues throughout the Northern, Pacific Northwest and Southern Pacific Forest Service regions and forests which drain into the Pacific Ocean.
• Create conservation strategies for NFWF on National Forests in the Western Region.
• Design and implement the Foundation’s partnerships with National Forest programs in coordination with the Director, various advisory committees, Foundation Program and Science staff, the government relations team, contractors, non-federal funders, agency liaisons and the Board. 
• Establish program priorities; work with program advisory committee to solicit, review and approve grant awards; negotiate strategies and milestones with grantees; and establish systems to monitor progress of each grantee (using Foundation technical and financial tracking databases).
• Manage applicable funding source(s) as appropriate, including preparation of grant applications and amendments, preparation and submission of financial and programmatic reports and coordination with agency project officers.
• In coordination with the Director and NFWF’s development team, actively and diligently seek and secure additional funding for NFWF’s forest programs (including subgrants) and the operations of the Foundation.
• Serve as spokesperson for the Foundation with regard to this program, its conservation objectives and accomplishments. Coordinate NFWF’s Forest program activities with others involved or affected by project decisions.
• Establish and maintain networks with the myriad of organizations and interests engaged in forest restoration work – particularly as it relates to post-fire restoration and fuels management.
• Keep abreast of scientific and policy developments that may impact forest conservation efforts.
• In coordination with the Director and NFWF’s government relations team, seek opportunities for information-sharing among grantees and with policy makers about lessons learned and accomplishments of grant-funded projects.
• Assure compliance with all requirements of cooperative agreements and assure that all activities are communicated and coordinated with the Director, other Foundation staff as appropriate and Foundation agency liaisons.
• Track and monitor proposals and active grants/contracts in coordination with the grants administration team.
• Coordinate the program’s external technical review of proposals in accordance with Foundation policy.
• Prepare briefing materials and recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation’s staff and Board.
• Prepare and/or assist in the preparation of various descriptive and evaluative reports as directed.
• Subject to programmatic objectives and budgetary considerations, propose and conduct site visits in accordance with Foundation policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   

• • Recommend new processes where needed to improve existing processes.
  • Recommend and lead efforts to improve existing processes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)  

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience with concentration in ecology, conservation science or biology preferred.
• Minimum five years’ experience working with government agencies and/or nongovernmental organizations on issues related to conservation, western forests and natural resource management.
• Professionalism and leadership qualities.
• Thrives in a rapidly changing environment.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills.
• Experience in building coalitions.
• Five years’ experience in program management.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising or program development.
• Experience working with federal and state resource agencies, with experience managing cooperative agreements preferred.
• Grants management and administration experience preferred.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Computer proficiency.

COMPENSATION  

Commensurate with experience.

LOCATION  

San Francisco, California