Our Mission in Action 

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Senior Manager, Contract Administration to join our Forest Restoration team. 

What You’ll Do 

The Senior Manager, Southeast Forest Genetics will support our work in USDA FS Region 8 (Southern Region) by helping supervise AF Orchard Manager and Reforestation Forester positions stationed across USDA Forest Service genetic resource management areas (GRMAs) on National Forest System (NFS) lands across the Southern region. The position will also support collaborative work with the Region 8 Silviculture program and help oversee the planning and implementation of silvicultural treatments that increase forest resilience on NFS lands, including stand tending practices and treatments that promote natural regeneration of declining tree species (e.g., midstory removal for advance oak regeneration). Major responsibilities include: 

Project and Program Management (55%)

• Work with the Director, Southeast Forest Restoration to advance regional reforestation and forest resilience activities and related partnerships primarily on NFS lands. 
• Provide technical expertise in forest genetics and tree improvement, including seed orchard and seed production area management, seed surveying, collecting, and storing, and nursey management. 
• Lead or facilitate technical trainings for AF field staff and partners, including coordinating cone collection trainings for AF crews.
• Manage and support reforestation and forest resilience partnerships, including facilitation or attendance at partner meetings, grants and agreement reporting, and budgeting.
• Advance new forest restoration projects, plans, partnerships, and agreements to grow our work in the region. 
• Oversee implementation of reforestation-related activities on NFS lands. Implementation actions could include planning and unit layout; contract development, contractor selection, and administration; field implementation and quality control, including for site preparation, tree planting (artificial regeneration), midstory removal treatments (natural regeneration), crop tree release, stand tending treatments, and other restoration actions; and monitoring. 
• Coordinate with relevant American Forests staff regarding field data collection, analysis and adaptive management actions. 
• Oversee field and safety logistics for staff in the Southeast region, ensuring that field staff have the requisite safety training, and that field safety practices are aligned with organizational requirements
• Coordinate with relevant USDA Forest Service and American Forests staff on common field protocol, templates, and best practices.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of trends, best practices, scientific research, and new developments in silviculture, reforestation, forestry, and natural resource management.
• Build and maintain relationships on behalf of American Forests with key agencies and regional stakeholders.

 Supervisory Duties (30%)

• Supervise seasonal and full-time permanent employees, including timesheet and leave approvals, performance assessments, and assistance with administrative processes.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training for additional staff as needed. 
• Provide in-field supervisory support for AF staff, field crews, and field support personnel as needed and appropriate. 

 Grant Management/Administration (10%)

• Collaborate with Resilient Forests’ Program Operations & Administration team on various grants and agreements administrative tasks, including reforecasting of project budgets, preparing invoice documentation, submitting payment requests, documenting match, and submitting grant and agreement modifications.
• Support the Director, Southeast Forest Restoration in frontline relationship management and oversight of contractors.

 Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Assist American Forests’ staff in the delivery of relevant in-person meetings, conferences, and events. 
• Conduct public presentations at conferences and meetings as appropriate.
• Plan and lead site visits and field tours as appropriate.

What We’re Looking For 

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives. 

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry or natural resources with at least three (3) years of experience; or a Masters degree in forestry or natural resources with at least two (2) years of experience. 
• Forest genetics or tree improvement experience, specifically: maintaining and improving seed orchards and seed production areas, seed surveying, collecting, and storing procedures, and reforestation via tree planting (artificial regeneration). 
• Experience planning and implementing forest management actions on federal lands, including conducting fieldwork and implementing field-based projects preferred.
• Experience supervising teams of people, ideally in field-based and remote environments. 
• Working knowledge and experience in project and partnership management. Partnership or project experience with USDA Forest Service preferred.
• Strong organization, project management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a state forestry license or Society of American Foresters Certified Forester certification preferred. 
• Experience with GPS field data collect and ArcGIS Pro used for mapping and geospatial data analysis. 
• Experience in contract oversight and administration preferred.
• A valid driver’s license, as frequent travel to work sites is required.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

Reporting and Supervision 

The Senior Manager will directly supervise or support a program with a mix of full-time permanent and seasonal status and may include close coordination with other partner organizations. The Senior Manager will support their direct reports in completing on-the-ground project planning and implementation-related tasks. The Senior Manager will report to the Director, Southeast Forest Restoration. 

Compensation, Benefits & Working Conditions 

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is between $60,000 and $80,000 annually. 

This is a remote position based within 2 hours of Asheville, NC. Other locations in the Southeastern U.S. will be considered for highly qualified applicants. This position may require up to 25% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C.  

Office work will be expected including, but not limited to, prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer (recordkeeping, contract administration, attending meetings, writing reports, and emailing). When in the field or onsite, the Senior Manager will be expected to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time and requires lifting materials weighing up to 40 lbs. Field work includes exposure to various risks, including, but not limited to: varying terrain, dense vegetation, and wildlife risks (exposure to bears, mountain lions, snakes, ticks, poison oak/ivy, mosquitos, etc.), hot, wet, and cold conditions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience. 

Our benefits package includes: 

• Health and Wellness 
• Work-Life Balance 
• Financial and Retirement 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 401(k) 6% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Insurance
• Parental Bonding Leave
• Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Bereavement Leave
• Pet Benefits
• Military Leave

Our Core Competencies 

Attitude - Communication - Organization - Problem-Solving & Creativity - Representing the Organization  

The Team 

Our Forest Restoration department connects the best available science, networks, and place-based implementation to protect and restore landscapes threatened by a wide variety of stressors for the benefit of people, water, wildlife and climate. Through our partnership with the USDA Forest Service, American Forests is addressing reforestation needs in multiple regions of the United States.

About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, 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 over 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.