Senior Director of Future Forests

General Summary

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters and other forest management professionals and academics in the world. SAF’s mission is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and to use our knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic to ensure the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity. More information about SAF is available at www.eforester.org 

The Senior Director of Future Forests is responsible for working in partnership with the CEO and multiple constituent groups to identify, prioritize, and implement SAF’s policy efforts. This position will have and continue to build a broad network of professionals and researchers across the sector. Engaging in critical conversations related to the science-based sustainable forest and natural resource practices, the Senior Director will assist in representing the voice of forestry and natural resource professionals. The position provides leadership in SAF’s efforts to promote, distill, and disseminate science-based understanding and management of our forests. The Senior Director provides leadership in SAF programs to students and early career professionals in their pursuits to grow professionally. The position serves as a resource to the Forestry community by tracking issues impacting our nation’s forests and professionals and developing tools to raise awareness about them. 

The position reports to the CEO and will be required to prioritize multiples projects, relationships, initiatives and maintain currency in the field. This individual has supervisory responsibilities and oversees external vendors to translate information and coordinate subject matter expertise related to the future of our forests. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

General:

• Manages the budget for SAF’s policy and science engagement efforts
• Provide strategic direction in partnership with CEO for policy and forestry/natural resource collaboration with SAF
• Engages multiple coalition groups representing SAF’s position on forestry topics
• Serves as a point of contact for local unit, member, or external questions about forestry practices and policy issues
• Engages as a member of SAF’s senior leadership team to guide staff efforts to meet our mission
• Supervise staff associated with policy and coalition efforts

Policy and Government Affairs:

• Formulates and recommends programs, goals and objectives for policy and policy partner engagement
• Develop relationships with SAF policy partners
• Develop relationships with and provide subject matter expertise to congressional staffers related to forestry and natural resource related topics
• Oversee the development of SAF policy position statements and respective briefers
• Create strategies to increase dissemination of SAF’s position statements to decision makers
• Provide leadership for SAF’s engagement with the Forest Inventory and Analysis User Group meeting and webinars
• Serve as point of contact for review of policy letters of support
• Will draft letters of support for SAF on policy priorities for the organization

Coalition Engagement:

• Represent SAF in current policy and science coalitions including the Forest Climate Working Group and The Sustainable Urban Forestry Coalition
• Track and raise awareness of new coalitions that SAF should consider having a presence

Volunteer Management:

• Serves as staff liaison to the Committee on Forest Policy
• Work with the Committee on Forest Policy to plan and facilitate People, Policy, and Popcorn events at SAF’s National Convention

Other: 

• Serves as the lead for the Henry Klepper Policy Intern Program
• Serves as the lead for the Mollie Beattie Scholar program
• Performs other duties as assigned by CEO

Job Specifications:

• Knowledge of forestry, forest policy, and convening
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• Supervisory experience
• Experience with databases
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Prior association or nonprofit experience (Highly desired)
• Personable and nimble with a desire and ability to contribute to the continued success of our organization.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong attention to detail, highly organized with excellent multi-tasking skills
• Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to take initiative and accomplish tasks on time and with minimum supervision 
• Excellent customer service ethic; adept at developing and maintaining collaborative internal and external relationships; respects differing perspectives
• Able to produce organized and accurate materials quickly
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel 20% - 30% to events and conferences 

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• 7+ years of overall professional experience forestry, policy, and/or communication
• Bachelor’s degree in forestry or natural resources related science with an emphasis in forestry

Preferred Education/Skills

• Graduate degree a plus
• Experience participating in or building a coalition a plus
• Experience with iMIS content management system a plus
• Knowledge and passion for forests and natural resources a plus

Salary
$90,000 - $100,000 annual salary

Reasonable Accommodation  

SAF will provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the operation of the business. Telecommuting on an ad hoc basis is available following 90 days of successful employment.

EEO Statement

SAF provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identification or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SAF complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

SAF expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SAF’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.