The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s (WPC) watershed conservation program, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, seeks a highly motivated, driven and well-organized individual to help promote and coordinate riparian forest buffer and lawn conversion implementation efforts in Pennsylvania as a part of the statewide watershed forestry team. If you’re a people-first person interested in a fast-paced career in the environmental realm through which you can make a visible, on-the-ground impact, then this might be the career opportunity for you!
We are seeking a Regional Watershed Forestry Specialist to work within Pennsylvania’s Central Region, which includes the following counties: Clinton, Lycoming, Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Union, Montour, Columbia, Northumberland and Snyder.
Location/Remote Work Option: This position is headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa. but will work remotely from a PA residence within/near the Central PA region. Extensive travel throughout the assigned region will be required on a regular basis.
Job Duties
- Promoting and outreaching watershed forestry best management practices to PA landowners and stakeholders.
- Responding to landowner requests for technical assistance and assisting landowners in finding appropriate funding sources for implementation projects on their properties.
- Supporting long-term maintenance of new and existing watershed forestry practices.
- Coordinating working groups of stakeholders on specific issues connected to watershed forestry practices.
- Tracking and reporting implementation of watershed forestry practices.
- Providing staff support for the DCNR-led Riparian Forest Buffer Advisory Committee and Lawn Conversion Advisory Committee, and associated Leadership Teams and Action Teams, etc.
- Assisting with planning and hosting the annual Watershed Forestry Summit (formerly Riparian Forest Buffer Summit).
- Assisting with grant management, as well as grant application reviews.
- Developing planting plans for riparian forest buffers and lawn conversion projects.
- Coordinating all aspects of watershed forestry plantings with volunteers and contractors.
- Developing and maintain regional collaborations and partnerships.
- Assisting regional partners in increasing capacity to handle watershed forestry projects.
- Developing and host regional trainings for landowners, partners, and stakeholders on watershed forestry practices, planning, planting and maintenance.
- Participating in regional partner projects and initiatives.
- Administrative responsibilities associated with the duties outlined above.
Requirements
- Experience working with cross-sector partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to lead productive working groups
- Ability to build new partnerships with similar organizations working towards shared goals
- Ability to work independently
Absolute Requirements
- Knowledge of PA’s natural resource concerns, water quality best management practices (including riparian forest buffers, afforestation, and conservation landscaping)
- Must be comfortable regularly meeting with landowners on their properties to discuss potential projects
- Familiarity with PA native trees and plants
- Public presentation experience
- Strong, well-developed interpersonal skills
- Outstanding planning skills
- Ability to juggle multiple projects at once
- Demonstrated success with following-up with landowners and partners in a prompt manner.
- Ability to maintain great working relationships with a variety of stakeholders
- Ability to utilize Geographic Information System (GIS) software applications
- Well-developed organizational skills- must be able to handle multiple tasks, simultaneous projects and priorities, keep track of many appointments and deadlines, etc.
- Excellent work ethic, drive and motivation to succeed as an individual and as a team-player
- Ability to work successfully with people at all organizational levels and from all backgrounds
- Verbal and written communication skills- ability to effectively meet with, speak with, educate, and present to a wide variety of audiences and individuals
- Ability to manage data/spreadsheets, develop documents, utilize virtual meeting software, etc.
- Administrative responsibilities associated with the duties outlined above
- Must be flexible with schedule; willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to work outside in occasionally adverse conditions to plant and maintain tree seedlings and meadows
- Ability to traverse difficult/uneven terrain
- Ability to transition between office work and field work
- Ability to sit, bend and stand for 8+ hours a day
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
- Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle within Pennsylvania; valid driver’s license, willing to travel extensively throughout assigned region and throughout the commonwealth
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource-related/environmental field; OR a related degree and equivalent experience
- Experience using BMP tracking systems and software
- Ability to use MS Office software
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience working in natural resources or closely related field
- Demonstrated ability to work remotely/with a remote team in an effective and productive manner
- Experience planting trees, and/or seeding meadows, and/or conducting maintenance activities on these types of plantings
- Grant writing and/or review experience
- Experience working as a team player and bridge-builder with partner organizations
- Project management skills
Application Process
Please send a letter, resume and salary requirements to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list Regional Forestry (Central Region) in the subject line.
