National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a 3-year term position that will provide programmatic leadership to successfully plan, develop, implement, and manage a complex portfolio of recreation and restoration projects across the Chugach and Tongass National Forests in Alaska. The Alaska Program Manager will also facilitate collaborative efforts, manage complex funding mechanisms, supervise two program staff, and oversee broader program work throughout the region.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy. 

Position Function: The Alaska Program Manager reports directly to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Region Director and works closely with other NFF staff, U.S. Forest Service staff, contractors and other local partners to manage a robust and growing program. The incumbent is responsible for supervising NFF’s two Program Coordinators and projects within the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, managing complex recreation projects, aggregated funding mechanisms, developing and supporting implementation contracts. Priority projects include the Alaska Cabins Project and construction of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The Program Manager helps advance NFF’s strategic pillars of Recreation Enhancement, Land and Watershed Restoration, and Wildfire Resilience.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Alaska Program Manager will:

• Work with the U.S. Forest Service to develop, modify, manage, and track large-scale Challenge Cost Share and Participating Agreements associated with outdoor recreation infrastructure projects, watershed restoration projects and collaborative conservation efforts. 
• Support and supervise two staff in the region by helping develop their scopes of work, provide networking and fundraising support, and professional development guidance.
• Lead the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to the construction of public use cabins and trail and bridge construction.
• Provide collaborative conservation expertise and facilitation support for priority regional initiatives. 
• Manage program and project budgets and reporting associated with grants from federal, state, and local government sources, as well as philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Support expansion of the base of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing grants.
• Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial relationships among federal and state agency partners, local government, Alaska Native Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and the NFF to implement effective community-based conservation partnerships.
• Maintain knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in conservation programming to enhance the NFF strategic efficacy.
• Assist as necessary with the NFF program of work throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Alaska Program Manager to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree in recreation planning, landscape design, planning, conservation, forestry, environmental science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of experience helping lead restoration or conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation, preferably on federal lands.
• Experience helping lead project planning, accomplishment and budget tracking, and project operations management that involve multiple implementation partners, contractors, contracts for services, and funding sources.
• Experience supervising and managing project-level staff.
• Experience with recreation infrastructure enhancement, land and watershed science, policy and management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream restoration.
• Experience with construction of cabins or similar structures a plus.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
• An understanding of natural resource issues in Alaska.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills. 
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Alaska Program Manager to possess:

• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about recreation infrastructure, community-based conservation, and forest and watershed restoration projects.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to represent the NFF clearly and professionally through excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS online, journal builder, and basic cartography and map design.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License and clean driving record.

Location: The preferred location for this position is in Southcentral Alaska with Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula. Applicants must be able to travel regularly within Southcentral and to Southeast Alaska. This position is a remote/work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access.

Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The starting salary range for this position is $83,800 to $101,275, with the ability to grow to $118,750 based on performance outcomes over time and assessed annually.

Benefits: NFF is proud to offer our staff: 

Health and Wellness:

• Medical and dental insurance paid at 75% by the organization for you and any dependents. 
• Vision insurance paid 50% by the organization for you and any dependents. 
• Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878-$3,750 per year, predicated on coverage type. 
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA). 
• Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost. 

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one (1) year of service. 
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost. 
• Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options. 
• Whole life insurance at a discounted rate

Flexibility and time off:

• Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and holidays (annual leave accrual rates increase with years of service) 
• Family & medical leave for up to sixteen (16) weeks with up to four (4) weeks paid. 

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs  
• Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year. 

Journey of a Lifetime:

• The opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to / work in spectacular locations.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will close on May 1st, or earlier if filled. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.