Restoration Forester, Private Lands (MS)

About the role

The Restoration Forester, Private Lands (MS) is a full-time, field-based position focused on restoring and sustainably managing longleaf pine ecosystems on private (family-owned) lands in southern Mississippi. This position plays a critical role in implementing longleaf pine silviculture, including site preparation, planting, prescribed fire, midstory management, and thinning.

Responsibilities

• Landowner Engagement & Forest Management Planning (40%)

• Lead and participate in education and outreach activities for private (family) forest landowners, including direct mailings, workshops, field tours, and demonstration events.
• Develop and implement forest inventories, including sampling design, field data collection, and data analysis.
• Utilize technical decision-support tools to inform silvicultural prescriptions, including the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) software application.
• Prepare forest management plans aligned with NRCS cost-share programs, including interpreting forest stand data, preparing graphs and tables, delineating stands, making maps in ArcGIS, and writing silvicultural prescriptions.
• Aid landowners with enrollment in NRCS federal cost-share programs and contract development.

• Practice Implementation & Field Work (40%)

• Design and layout longleaf pine restoration practices, including marking treatment area boundaries and flagging or painting take or leave trees for tree planting, thinning, midstory control, and invasive species treatments.
• Provide landowners with a list of available contractors, implement contractor inspections, and final contract certifications to ensure compliance with technical standards and forest management plans.
• Implement post-treatment monitoring to assess treatment efficacy and to inform adaptive management.
• Connect landowners to resources to implement prescribed burns, including facilitating prescribed burn plan development.

• Partner Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Cookordination closely with NRCS field offices, state and federal agencies, private companies and contractors, and nonprofit partners to align goals and leverage resources.
• Participate in regional meetings, trainings, workshops and initiatives that support longleaf pine restoration.
• Help develop outreach materials and presentations that promote longleaf restoration practices and incentives.

• Data Management & Reporting (5%)

• Maintain accurate field records, practice maps, GIS data, and landowner files.
• Support reporting requirements to NRCS and American Forests, including metrics tracking and site documentation.

• 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.
• Plan and lead site visits and field tours as appropriate.

Qualifications

• A registered forester’s license in the state of Mississippi or ability to obtain one within first 6 months on the job.
• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in applied forest management, including field experiencing marking silvicultural treatments and preparing forest management plans.
• Knowledge of longleaf pine ecosystem restoration and management practices.
• Strong organizational skills with experience working independently and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in using technological tools for field data collection (e.g., tablets) and ArcGIS Pro software.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license.

Skills

• Field forestry skills.
• Experience in growing and managing programs and projects in the Southeast.
• Ability to coordinate with partners, identify new opportunities, and contribute towards American Forests’ vision for the Southeast.

Benefits

This is a full-time, hourly non-exempt position. The budgeted hourly rate is between $25.64 and $33.33. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional perks, such as a technology stipend and pet benefits, further enhance the overall employee experience.