Location: Willoughby,OH, USA
Consulting Forester
Holden Arboretum
The Community Forestry & Conservation department seeks one of two Consulting Foresters to join our team at Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G). The Consulting Foresters are primarily responsible in assisting in the formation and execution of consulting forestry services. The Consulting Foresters will play a pivotal role in advising landowners in northeast Ohio on managing, conserving, and enhancing their forests. This role involves landowner site visits, writing forest management plans, conducting ecological assessments and surveys, advising on forest health & conservation strategies and enrollment in carbon markets, as well as potentially other services such as timber harvest administration as opportunity aligns with program mission. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of and experience in forestry, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The foresters will also assist in advancing conservation objectives internally at the Working Woods demonstration forest to model appropriate conservation actions and non-timber forest product development to external audiences including landowners, professionals, policy makers, and the public. They will assist with field days, tabling, and other outreach events advocating for the many values of trees and forests and participate in partnerships among public and private interests that protect, conserve, and nurture forests. These roles will support the work to elevate Holden Forests & Gardens' forestry outreach initiatives.
Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. HF&G strives for a welcoming workplace where everyone feels that they belong. This role is based at the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH with occasional travel to the Cleveland Botanical Garden, throughout the state of Ohio, and occasionally beyond.
Position Details:
* Reports to the Working Woods Hub Manager
* Exempt Position
* Full-Time
* Evening and weekend work as needed
* Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
* This position is grant-funded for 3 years.
* While a model of Consulting Forestry is formed, with the goal of the position being self-sustaining afterwards through income generated through forestry services.
Key Responsibilities:
Key responsibilities of the Consulting Forester, include, but are not limited to:
* Advocates for landowner awareness of the value of forests and trees to restore the aesthetic, environmental, and economic values of trees and forests in northeast Ohio
* Conducts site visits and writes forest management plans for landowners, connecting them with needed resources to implement management and achieve their goals i.e. cost-share funding programs such as EQIP, forest carbon markets, tax credit programs, and other resources
* Manages forestry projects on private lands including prescribed management, non-timber forest product development, tree plantings, timber stand improvement, and other activities
* Serves as a technical service provider on private lands when appropriate
* Work alongside other Consulting Forester to effectively divide work and strategize approaches for forestry services
* Supports the work of NTFP demonstrations and outreach at the Working Woods Learning Forest
* Assists with field tours, workshops, seminars, and tabling events
* Presents to public and professional audiences at conferences, symposia, and workshops as needed
* Supports the work of interns, Fellows and NOWCorps members and helps with training and mentorship
* Participates in organizational planning and special event committees as appropriate
* Works independently on diverse tasks and meets deadlines
* Communicates clearly and concisely to the general public
* Represents HF&G to its supporters and constituents credibly and professionally
* Appreciation for the importance of the work of arboreta, public gardens, and museums
Qualifications and Skills:
* Demonstrate a passion for people, forest conservation, forestry, and climate change action with a clear understanding of those issues and their relationships to forests, forestry, and natural resource management
* Associate or bachelor's degree in forestry, forest science, natural resource management, or related field
* 2 years' experience with forestry or a related field, required
* Certified Forester credential (SAF or ACF) or ability to obtain certification within 2 years of hire, highly desired
* Experience working as or alongside a consulting forester, preferred
* Experience working with landowners, preferred
* Knowledge of, and experience with, biological principles and ecosystem dynamics as applied in a planning and implementation context
* Highly organized and able to coordinate multiple ongoing projects simultaneously
* Experience and comfort with communicating with regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over natural resources such as in forests, water, or wildlife in Ohio
* A good communicator who enjoys engaging with people
* Knowledge of ArcGIS (Pro), GPS data loggers
* Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
* Experience and willingness to work collaboratively as a part of a team as well as independently
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:
* Communicate over the telephone, in person, and electronically
* Reliable transportation and ability to attend meetings and events within the state of Ohio and occasionally beyond
* Able to drive long hour(s) and distances to conduct site visits
* Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
* Capable of walking long distances and navigating rough terrain and hills
* Ability to lift and carry equipment and supplies as needed up to 30 lbs
* Travel by foot on unpaved or uneven terrain to transport oneself to various locations on arboretum property
* Ability to reach, kneel, bend and twist at waist, bend at knees, crouch, see, touch, grasp objects, push, and pull
Some of the reasons Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) is a great place to work!
We offer Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits | Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | 403(b) | Employee sponsored life insurance, long term disability and short-term disability | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland | Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!
Apply:
Holden Forests & Gardens values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G also provides regular DEAI training for staff, managers, volunteers and Board to create a welcoming and accessible environment. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Qualified applicants must submit rsum, cover letter and 3 professional references by Monday, December 2, 2024.
Holden Forests & Gardens (Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. We seek skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced individuals to join our staff and enhance our reputation as one of the country's foremost public gardens.