Department: Resilient Forests  
Reports to: Director, Restoration Partnerships and Innovation
Location: Western US (CA, ID, MT, NM, OR, WA)
FLSA Category: Exempt  
Close Date: May 6, 2024   

ABOUT US
American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large 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 restore urban forests and forested landscapes.

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.  We hope you find your future with us.

PROJECT SUMMARY
America’s forests are a critical natural climate solution. Reforestation/afforestation offers the most immediate and ample carbon removal solution. There are many opportunities for this in the U.S., with as much as 148 million acres suitable for reforestation (ReforestationHub.org). Yet, deployment of quality reforestation at scale has been limited by high upfront costs that are out of sync with the timeline for carbon removal. 

American Forests’ Reforest America Carbon Program (RACP) is designed to address the financing challenges associated with reforestation/afforestation and advance the highest quality climate-adapted projects. Over the past year, American Forests has worked with landowners, forest carbon experts, carbon registries, and businesses to design RACP to help meet the country’s growing reforestation needs. 

We are currently developing a unique portfolio of climate-adapted reforestation projects with public land management agencies, Tribal Nations, and underserved private landowners who do not have access to the necessary funding to reforest severely burned lands in the western United States and other lands suitable for reforestation in other geographies throughout North America.

American Forests recently received a USFS grant to support the participation of particularly eligible federally recognized Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations as well as underserved private landowners, in emerging markets for resilient reforestation, or reforestation that is resilient to future climate changes and disturbances as well as future market and economic conditions. Our primary goals are to provide Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations as well as underserved private landowners with the technical and financial resources needed for implementing resilient reforestation and accessing new income streams and deploy climate-informed reforestation practices. 

This position will work to deliver the following outcomes and focus outreach and partnership development with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Continental US:  

• Work in close collaboration with our partners including the National Indian Carbon Coalition, a program of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, to establish new relationships and grow existing relationships and partnerships with Tribal Nations that lead to the creation of forest restoration and carbon projects.
• Create new opportunities for Tribal Nations to access private markets for resilient reforestation and its climate and ecosystem service benefits. 
• Engage with and provide technical assistance about resilient reforestation and emerging markets for joint climate mitigation and adaptation. 
• Implement high-integrity resilient reforestation projects yielding biodiversity, water, climate, and cultural benefits. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
To advance this work, American Forests is looking for a Senior Manager that is a skilled relationship-builder and excellent communicator who is grounded in cultural competency gained through lived experience and motivated by working collaboratively with others to develop high quality forest restoration and nature-based solution carbon projects with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. They will advance this work as part of the implementation of American Forest’s new Forest Landowner Support Cooperative Agreement with the USFS. 

The Senior Manager will serve as a liaison with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and organizations to establish, grow and maintain effective relationships. The Senior Manager will work in close collaboration with our partners, including the National Indian Carbon Coalition, a program of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, to establish new relationships and grow existing relationships and partnerships that lead to the creation of forest restoration and carbon projects. The Senior Manager will support the team in the origination, development, and implementation of carbon financed reforestation/afforestation projects that include traditional and new approaches.

Specific responsibilities include:

Partnership Development with Tribal Nations (85%)

• Develop organization's outreach strategy to engage Tribal Nations in reforestation in partnership with National Indian Carbon Coalition and conduct outreach to Tribal Nations to assess opportunities to develop nature-based carbon projects in specific geographies and landscapes in the western US (CA, ID, MT, NM, OR, WA).
• Serve as an organizational liaison and trusted point of contact for Tribal Nations and tribal representatives and work in close collaboration with the National Indian Carbon Coalition to facilitate introductions and establish, grow and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships with Tribal Nations.
• Build trusted relationships among tribal members and representatives, keeping Tribal Nation governments and their membership informed about project development and progress, scheduling while actively soliciting input at all stages.
• Build on an existing network of place-based partners to meaningfully engage and form lasting partnerships with at least ten federally recognized Tribal Nations to generate forest restoration and carbon projects that integrate Indigenous Knowledge and socio-cultural benefits to restore forest ecosystems.
• Facilitate comprehensive, efficient, thoughtful, and meaningful dialogue with tribal communities to receive feedback on project proposals and reviews, including new ideas and creative opportunities for collaboration.
• Synthesize and effectively communicate concerns and ideas raised by tribal communities to the development team and senior management and find effective solutions and responses.
• Coordinate with Tribal Nation Councils, natural resource departments and officers.

Program Administration (15%)

• Track and manage the development of a portfolio of relationships, scopes of work and projects simultaneously
• Develop associated work plans, track progress to program goals and manage time and resources appropriately
• Participate in American Forests and Resilient Forest program actions and meetings as appropriate
• Assist with development and management of budgets in partnership with American Forests’ program and finance departments

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

• Bachelor’s degree in conservation, Indigenous studies, public policy or related field desired; additional experience accepted in lieu of
• At least 3 years of experience in a relevant field, which may include working in tribal government and/or Indigenous led organizations.
• Experience with Tribal Nation outreach, cultural competency gained through lived experience and knowledge of tribal governments 
• An active, solutions-oriented approach that seeks to facilitate dialog and collaboration with Tribal Nation’s interests while seeking mutually beneficial solutions to any issues that arise.
• Experience building relationships and working with Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Established relationships with Tribal Nations, communities, and organizations in the western US. 
• Experience communicating the priorities and interests of Tribal Nations, communities, and organizations to a variety of audiences, including decision-makers.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, treaties, and policies that affect Tribal Nations, communities, and organizations in the Western U.S and/or Hawaii.
• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous Knowledge (IK), Tribal Nation data sovereignty, and associated protocols for engagement.

 LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS
This is a hybrid position that is primarily remote (70%) and requires frequent travel (up to 30%) across the western United States and/or to American Forests headquarters in Washington, DC to engage in key stakeholder meetings, program events, and projects as funded.

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) before your start date. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience. 

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
This position does not have any supervisory requirements. 

BENEFITS 
American Forests offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision; disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match; paid leave including 16 holidays, vacation, sick, parental leave, FMLA, bereavement and military leave; pet benefits and employee assistance programs.