Outreach Forester

American Bird Conservancy (ABC), an international bird conservation organization,

is seeking to employ an Outreach Forester as a joint position with National

Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and West Virginia Division of Forestry (WV

DOF). This is a full-time, 2-year term position. The outreach specialist

will serve as a liaison between private landowners and staff of partner

conservation organizations, including West Virginia DNR and Division of

Forestry, National Wild Turkey Federation, and NRCS. The focus of this position

is increasing private landowner enrollment in NRCS Farm Bill programs, especially

the Working Lands for Wildlife effort targeting Golden-winged Warblers.

The outreach specialist will be an employee of American Bird Conservancy

but work closely with the staff of partners.

 

This position requires an understanding of NRCS Farm Bill programs, especially

the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), forest and habitat

management techniques, and how to communicate effectively with private landowners.

There will be extensive contact with private landowners and agency partners

in person, by telephone, and through e-mail and other correspondence. The

work requires initiative, flexibility, and attention to detail. It is essential

that the staff member in this position is able to prioritize tasks and work

in a team environment. The position reports to the AMJV Coordinator.

 

1. Develop, finalize, and execute an outreach strategy with program partners

to increase private landowner enrollment in NRCS Farm Bill programs, especially

Working Lands for Wildlife targeting Golden-winged Warblers. Development

of this strategy will include working with the Wildlife Management Institute

and D.J. Case to support/utilize proposed research on landowner motivation.

2. Create a new and/or improve existing database(s) of partners, large landowners,

the WV Tree Farm System, and forest and groups, farm groups etc. Consult

forest industry and trade groups for mailing lists and potential marketing

strategies that effectively reach target landowners and conduct targeted

bulk mailings to landowners with properties that overlap known Golden-winged

Warbler populations.

3. Compile existing private landowner outreach materials, identify coverage

gaps, and expand outreach efforts, including greatly expanding social media

presence and cross-post with partner organizations, contact traditional

press and develop and identify PR opportunities, and create and distribute

print press materials. Coordinate various outreach efforts, including (but

not limited to) workshops, field tours, and meeting directly with forest

landowners and farmers to discuss habitat management options (e.g., forest

management, brush management, grazing) for their property and enrollment

in NRCS programs to conduct habitat management.

4. Coordinate with NRCS, WV Division of Forestry, WV DNR, and other partners

to identify existing landowner relationships and coordinate with their technical

staff to refer landowners for enrollment in NRCS Farm Bill programs. Work

closely with the WLFW Coordinator in WV on all outreach and landowner enrollment

efforts and occasionally assist the Coordinator with their duties. Assist

with planning forest management actions on state lands to be used as demonstration

areas and coordinate forestry demonstration tours of these areas with interested

landowners.

5. Maintain records and performance metrics, such as number and type of

outreach events held, number landowners reached, number of landowners to

respond, number of site visits, and additional monitoring metrics to be

identified through collaboration with WMI and their contractual agreement

with D.J. Case.

 

1. Bachelor's degree or higher in forestry, wildlife ecology, or a related

field. An understanding of forestry and silviculture, conservation implementation,

habitat management, or wildlife biology desired.

2. Knowledge of ecology and natural resource issues of the Appalachian Region,

especially of neotropical migrant and resident birds.

3. Knowledge of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) landowner

cost-share programs

4. Experience managing and creating dynamic content for websites and social

media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs.

5. Proficiency using various software applications (e.g., PowerPoint, Word,

Publisher, Acrobat document and forms, Photoshop) to produce communications

products such as fact sheets, newsletters, posters, etc. Proficiency with

databases and Geographic Information Systems to assist with developing landowner

outreach strategy that incorporates both landowner information and Golden-winged

Warbler occurrence and habitat parameters.

6. Ability to effectively research and obtain relevant information quickly,

then translate to diverse audiences the acquired understanding of large

amounts of complex information regarding biological diversity, fish and

wildlife conservation, cultural values and economic and environmental benefits

and services provided by healthy and sustainably managed ecosystems;

7. Desire to work collaboratively with a diversity of stake-holders. Demonstrated

networking and communication skills (presentation, inter-personal, reading,

writing); project management experience, and organizing and leadership skills.

8. Ability to work and coordinate multiple projects at the same time. Ability

to set priorities, work independently, efficiently and accurately, and meet

deadlines.

9. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills and the ability to

adapt messages to a diverse audience that includes private landowners, habitat

managers, conservation administrators, and the general public.

 

Application Instructions:

Apply online at Bamboo HR: https://abcbirds.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=36

If experiencing technical difficulties applying online, send cover letter

and resume as two separate documents to hr@abcbirds.org

<https://abcbirds.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=36>