Project Coordinator & Convener 

About Pacific Forest Trust 

Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) delivers landscape-scale private forest conservation in the West and develops innovative incentives for private forest conservation at the national level. We do so in ways that reward private landowners for managing for public benefits, i.e., clean water, a healthy climate, and habitat for abundant native wildlife. Our work sustains rural communities and restores resilient forest landscapes across ownership boundaries. PFT is recognized nationally as a leader in developing new payment systems for ecosystems services, from climate to working forest conservation easements, watershed and habitat services, and sustainable, renewable biomass energy. PFT has conserved over 360,000 acres of forest and stewards conservation easements on over 130,000 acres. PFT also owns and manages 12,000 acres for sustained forest, water, habitat and timber values. PFT is thrice accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Learn more at http://www.PacificForest.org 

The Opportunity 
PFT seeks a project coordinator who will support our work in two ways:  

• Working with the +/- 30 person the Pacific Northwest Volgenau Climate Initiative (VCI) to facilitate and strengthen a growing network of organizations, agencies, and leaders across northern California, Oregon and Washington focused on restoring and maintaining older forests for their climate benefits and  
• Working with two main coalitions PFT maintains in California to advance forest-based climate solutions and fire resilience.    

This role centers on relationship-building, coordination, and communication—helping diverse partners align around the shared goal of promoting old and mature forests for climate and fire resilience, ecosystem connectivity, and sustaining rural economies. The Coordinator will support collaboration and learning across the region within the VCI network and also within California-based collaboratives focused on forests fire and climate resilience.  This position will work closely with many partners— forest landowners and managers, public agencies, tribal nations, nonprofits, and community groups among them—helping connect science, policy, and practice to achieve practical solutions that support the restoration and maintenance of older, climate and fire resilient forests.  

Core Responsibilities: 

Overall Network and Coalition Facilitation & Coordination 

• Maintain strong relationships across the network/ coalitions in California and the broader West Coast region; engage new and existing members, coordinate and facilitate regular communication between participants; and ensure visibility of key activities, needs, and opportunities to all within these groups.
• Serve as a thought partner to to PFT leadership and VCI Steering Committee, providing insights about the field and sharing learnings from network participants and, for VCI offering insights from the network to guide strategy and investment priorities.    
• Facilitate regular communication, convenings, and collaborative working groups that connect practitioners and decision-makers.                                      
• Engage members to support shared learning, reduce duplication, and increase regional and relevant statewide coordination. 
• Support VCI’s PNW Initiative Steering Committee and leadership with updates and strategic insights. 
• Support PFT’s lead staff for fire and climate coalitions, including by setting and supporting meetings, maintaining records of those meeting, and other information sharing

Communications & Reporting: VCI focus 

• Develop and share quarterly updates or newsletters with VCI and retreat attendees to document progress, share resources, and highlight collaborative efforts. 
• Provide timely updates to flag challenges, delays, or shifts in project implementation. 
• Help document and share success stories, tools, and lessons learned from network partners. 
• Support storytelling and public engagement that uplifts forest stewardship and community-based conservation. 
• Contribute to quarterly and final reporting for grant-funded projects as needed. 

Communications & Reporting: PFT focus 

• Develop and share minutes of coalition meetings. 
• Provide timely updates to flag challenges, delays, or shifts in work foci. 
• Help document and share success stories, tools, and lessons learned from coalition partners. 
• Support responses for information and reporting requests 

Information & Resource Sharing for both efforts: 

• Maintain updated contact lists, shared materials, and a central resource hub for network/coalition members as requested. 
• Support development of simple systems for partners to share opportunities, events, and data. 
• Help track metrics, participation, and impact to inform reporting and learning. 

Monitoring & Evaluation for both efforts 

• Support basic tracking of metrics and outcomes to assess network and coalition impact. 
• Contribute to quarterly progress summaries and any required final reports for grant-funded projects. 
• Collaborate with VCI and partners to identify emerging needs or opportunities for deeper evaluation. 

Organizational Coordination

• Provide regular updates and reports to PFT and VCI leadership.
• Help align VCI’s work with PFT’s broader forest conservation and policy goals, as . 
• Participate in cross-organizational meetings within the VCI network and shared learning sessions. 

Ideal Candidate 
This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys connecting people, managing details, and supporting collaboration toward big-picture goals and is a good communicator both verbally and in written communication. The ideal candidate brings curiosity about forests and climate, a deep respect for diverse forms of expertise, and the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable steps. 
 
Qualifications 
 
Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, forestry, natural resource management, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 
• 2+ years of experience in coordination, facilitation, or stakeholder engagement, preferred if related to conservation, natural resources, or climate work. 
• Strong skills in relationship management, communication, and meeting facilitation. 
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in managing multiple priorities. 
• Clear writing and documentation abilities; comfortable synthesizing information for diverse audiences. 
• Commitment to collaboration, equity, and PFT’s mission. 

Preferred: 

• Knowledge of West Coast forest and climate issues. 
• Experience supporting multi-stakeholder networks, community-based partnerships. 
• Skills in convening design, participatory facilitation, or collaborative learning. 
• Comfort working across organizational and cultural boundaries. 

Position Details 
Reports to: President, Pacific Forest Trust, with regular report to VCI lead staff and PFT’s Vice President for Policy (California) 
Location: San Francisco, CA (Presidio Office) preferred. 

This position is a project position, with an initial expectation of a 2-year term.