ABOUT US 

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.  

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

Whitebark pine is an iconic tree species that thrives at high elevations across seven western US states and is known as both a keystone and foundation species where it exists. Whitebark pine populations have been in a well-documented decline because of four primary stressors: white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles, severe wildfire, and climate change (drought, changing fire regimes). Populations within the southern Sierra Nevada have shown recent declines in some areas but not yet experienced the widespread, rapid declines seen in other parts of the range. Whitebark pine was listed as threatened on January 17, 2023, under the Endangered Species Act, and is the widest ranging tree species to receive this designation.  

In 2023, American Forests partnered with the National Park Service under a five-year agreement to work together to restore whitebark pine populations in western National Parks. As a part of this agreement, American Forests is working with National Park Units in the southern Sierra Nevada to expand scientific, planning, and restoration capacity and leadership for whitebark pine conservation. This position is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to work in a position that provides experience working within both federal and nonprofit sectors. This position would be hosted by the Resilient Forests program at American Forests, with technical supervision by an ecologist at Yosemite National Park or Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

Whitebark Pine Conservation and Restoration Planning (40%) 

• Work with National Park Service staff, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partners to assemble a 20-year strategy for recovering whitebark pine populations, preserving wilderness character, and meeting other related management needs in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Devils Postpile National Monument.  
• Review literature and research on conservation and restoration best practices. 
• In collaboration with park staff, coordinate environmental compliance of conservation and restoration planning with park compliance staff and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Whitebark Pine Research and Field Assessment (30%) 

• Create a strategic plan outlining research needs for Whitebark Pine in Sierra Nevada parks. Information needs include: 
  • Whitebark pine distribution map, including some measure of abundance (e.g. canopy cover) or estimate of population number. 
  • Understanding genetic variation in Sierra Nevada populations and how should that inform conservation actions including but not limited to cone collection locations, assisted gene flow, and potential planting sites. 
  • Identifying other critical information needs to be successful in whitebark pine management in the southern Sierra Nevada. 
• Lead the integration of information from other portions of the range and other agencies into planning for the southern Sierra Nevada.

Whitebark Pine Data Management (15%) 

• Summarize available information on whitebark pine status and trend in the Sierra Nevada parks (Yosemite National Park, Sequoia &Kings Canyon National Parks, and Devils Postpile National Monument) and surrounding National Forests to establish a baseline condition assessment of the Sierran population. 
• Share summary compilation of current data with park units, nonprofit and federal agency and tribal partners. 

Restoration and Conservation Coordination (15%) 

• Provide scientific direction and leadership to cone collection, gene conservation, and blister rust screening efforts in Sierra Nevada parks beginning in early summer 2024.  
• Identify project and partnership-based opportunities for National Park units to coordinate with other land management agencies on conservation and restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring. 
• Implement restoration and conservation projects as identified. 
• Co-lead a technical advisory committee of natural resources managers and scientists from the four parks, Inventory and Monitoring Network, USGS field office, USFWS, USFS, tribal partners, and others. 
• Participate in regular American Forests Resilient Forest team and regional program meetings, ensuring that this position is an active and visible component of our work in the Southern Sierra Nevada. 
• Represent American Forests and National Park units in regular coordination meetings with external stakeholders and partners.  

Other Duties 

• Provide science support for other five needle pine cone collections (sugar pine). 
• Provide regular communication and updates regarding whitebark pine issues and status to park staff and partners, and assist with public communications regarding the species and its management and status. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities: 

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated proficiency in: (1) forestry, botany or other ecological field work, (2) leading, developing and managing a team towards specific goals and ensuring that team members are meeting such goals, and (3) experience in managing budgets and detailed progress reporting. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Agriculture, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred. 
• Ability to formulate research questions and hypotheses, and design field sampling methods to test those hypotheses; manage and analyze data; and report/publish results.  
• Experience applying scientific knowledge to inform management recommendations. 
• Ability to produce complex, clearly written, well-documented reports and studies to support planning, analysis, and conservation of natural resources in accordance with established professional standards. 
• Possess a well-rounded, interpersonal skill set with the capacity to build and maintain relationships with agency staff, associated tribes, service subcontractors, landowners, and researchers, and to work effectively in a larger team environment, both regionally and nationally. 
• Possess an impact-driven, self-motivated quality with strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to meet recurring deadlines. 
• Ability to conceptualize annual project targets, characterize site-specific challenges through scoping activities and autonomously lead all reforestation team and subcontractor outputs toward those targets over extended (e.g., 12-month) timelines, with measurable impacts, and the ability to adapt as needed. 
• Experience leading others in communications, safety planning, and implementation of 8-day wilderness backpacking trips at elevations up to 12,000 feet and in extreme heat, cold, and smoky conditions.  
• Knowledge of the Wilderness Act and wilderness stewardship. 

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS 

This position will entail working in both field and office environments, primarily within three National Parks: Yosemite National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Some minimal work may be done in Devils Postpile National Monument.  

Work will be performed in a combination of office (~70%) and backcountry field settings (~30%), which will include: dense vegetation (with exposure to backcountry risks, snakes, and mosquitos), and hot, cold, and wet conditions. Backcountry/wilderness field visits will require multi-day backpacking trips at elevations up to 12,000 feet, possibly off-trail, carrying approximately 35-45 pounds.  

The position may be stationed at either Sequoia and Kings Canyon or Yosemite National Parks. A remote duty station may be considered but local is preferred to promote effective collaboration among park staff and partners. Occasional travel is required between National Park units for fieldwork and/or meetings. A vehicle will be provided for travel to and from field sites. 

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date. 

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS 

This position does not have any supervisory requirements.  

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.  
Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ 

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.