Ecological Forester/Certification Coordinator

Benefits

Additional Information

Application Deadline: The position is open until filled; early application is encouraged . Work Location: The position is open to remote candidates residing within the state of Georgia; candidates located near Atlanta, Baxley, Coastal Georgia, the CFL region, or central Georgia are preferred. What We Can Achieve Together: The Ecological Forester/Certification Coordinator is a dual-focus position sitting at the intersection of traditional forestry and conservation science based out of a negotiable location in Georgia. Approximately 50% of this role supports TNC's Georgia Stewardship and Fire Team, while the remaining 50% supports TNC's North America Natural Climate Solutions Team by managing the organization's Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Group certificate (PBN-FM/COC000238). This is an opportunity for a forester who is eager to apply technical skills in service of ecological outcomes - working deliberately away from conventional commercial forestry and toward landscape-scale restoration while ensuring the highest and most rigorous standards are met. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The Ecological Forester/Certification Coordinator provides technical leadership and hands-on management for forest restoration programs in Georgia and across North America. In Georgia, this position focuses on restoring fire-dependent ecosystems - primarily longleaf pine and the mixed pine/pyric hardwood systems of the coastal plain, piedmont, and southern Appalachians- using forestry tools to achieve ecological rather than commercial goals on TNC owned lands and working with partners including federal and state agencies, land trusts, and private landowners. In addition, the Ecological Forester/Certification Coordinator administers TNC's FSC Group certificate ensuring that forest management and operations across TNC's United States' portfolio meets or exceeds FSC standards. The position works closely with TNC Business Units, certification bodies, and others outside of the organization to initiate engagements, build networks, and provide technical and administrative support. This includes gathering and organizing data, planning and providing training, and coordinating annual auditing and reporting. The position must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE Georgia: Fire, Stewardship & Longleaf Restoration (50%) Serve as a member of TNC's Georgia's Stewardship and Fire Team, contributing forestry expertise to support the team's integrated fire and land management program. Manage TNC's FSC certification for Georgia properties, including maintaining documentation, overseeing audits, and ensuring ongoing compliance with FSC standards. Conduct forest inventory measures and analysis and/or develop and manage contracts for inventory work to be completed. Develop and implement ecological timber harvest proposals targeting the removal of off-site species (e.g., loblolly pine planted in longleaf range, invasive hardwoods) and the thinning of overstocked stands resulting from prior management decisions and/or suppressed fire regimes. Design harvest proposals that prioritize longleaf pine restoration outcomes under TNC's Americas Longleaf Restoration Initiative goals, ensuring that timber operations function as ecological tools rather than commercial drivers. Collaborate with partners - including federal and state agencies, private landowners, and conservation organizations - to craft timber management plans for Southern Blue Ridge ecosystems focused on ecological restoration. Assist with prescribed fire planning and implementation in coordination with the Georgia TNC's fire team and Georgia Interagency Burn Team partners, integrating forestry and fire as complementary restoration tools. Monitor and evaluate forest stand conditions over time, tracking ecological outcomes such as longleaf seedling establishment, groundcover recovery, and reduction in competition from off-site species. Financial responsibility may include working within and managing a project budget, negotiating and contracting with forestry service providers, and assisting in identifying funding sources to support restoration forestry activities. Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, forestry expertise, and conservation context. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances typical of field-based forestry and fire work. North America: Certification Coordinator (50%) Coordinate TNC's FSC Group certificate in the United States, including serving as the primary point of contact with Group members, managing audits schedules and certification activities, and communicating across participating properties and business units. Ensure conformance with FSC Principles and Criteria and relevant standards, by providing technical support and solutions, tracking audit results, preparing resu