Job Title: Program Manager, Forest Management Program

Location: Appalachian Kentucky, Tennessee

About ACE: Appalachian Carbon Exchange (ACE) partners with private landowners, rural communities, companies, and public agencies to reinvest in Appalachian land and people. ACE’s core program is Improved Forest Management (IFM): working directly with private landowners to implement active forest stewardship practices that improve forest health, enhance carbon sequestration, and restore ecosystem balance across working forest lands in the region. Projects are verified through the American Carbon Registry, and the majority of proceeds flow directly back to participating landowners as stewardship income — creating meaningful economic opportunity in historically underserved Appalachian communities. Beyond its working lands program, ACE supports workforce development through a partnership with Coalfield Development, providing forestry and infrastructure skills training to individuals in post-recovery employment pathways. ACE also operates two community-facing programs — Branching Out and Pocket Forests — that extend its mission to community-scale forestry and green space development. Together, these programs deliver interconnected public benefits: healthier forests, direct landowner income, verified climate outcomes, and diversified economic opportunity in a region historically dependent on extractive industries.

Job Summary: We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic Program Manager to lead our Forest Management Program in Appalachian Kentucky and Tennessee. The ideal candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for landowners, driving recruitment, enrollment, contracting, onboarding, and ongoing engagement efforts. This role requires a strong background in forestry, environmental projects, and/or real estate; as well as the ability to build and maintain relationships within the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Landowner Engagement:
• Act as the primary liaison for landowners, addressing inquiries and fostering strong relationships.
• Conduct outreach to recruit landowners for the program, meeting quarterly engagement goals.
• Enrollment and Contracting:
• Oversee the enrollment process, ensuring all necessary documentation and contracts are completed accurately and timely.
• Provide guidance and support to landowners throughout the onboarding process in coordination with the Program Director.
• Outreach and Relationship Management:
• Develop and implement outreach strategies tailored to engage landowners and community partners.
• Attend community events and conduct site visits to promote the program and build rapport with potential participants.
• Forest Health Assessments:
• Conduct basic assessments of forest health on enrolled properties to assess eligibility and provide tailored management recommendations.
• Collaborate with ACE partners and contract foresters to develop and implement forest management plans.
• Performance Metrics:
• Initiate and manage outreach metrics to track engagement and recruitment success.
• Report regularly on program progress and adjust strategies as necessary to meet targets, with the ongoing support of ACE staff and partners.
• Community Engagement:
• Work alongside ACE outreach efforts to build on current and identify additional relationships with community partners, organizations, and stakeholders.
• Foster collaboration to enhance program visibility and impact within the community.

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in forestry or environmental project management, with a strong understanding of forest health and management practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with forest carbon projects and methodologies, previous experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently and independently.
• Willingness to travel frequently (30-60 days/year) for site visits and community events.
• Proven experience working remotely, and a desire to work within a small but mighty team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with landowners or in community engagement roles.
• Familiarity with the Appalachian region's ecological and socio-economic landscape.
• Knowledge of state and federal forestry programs and funding opportunities.

Benefits:

• Starting salary of $68,000 with robust benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in forest resiliency and communities in Appalachia.
• Remote (home office) opportunity