Senior Forester

Since 1995, The Forest Stewards Guild’s national network of members, staff, and partners have advanced the culture of forest stewardship based on ethical principles, best-available science, and diverse experience. We explore and demonstrate what works in the woods and showcase effective forest management practices through outreach, training, and policy development. In other words, we combine strategy and action to position ourselves as the heart of the forest stewardship movement, driving its growth and impact nationwide. The Guild has 700 members, over half of whom are professionals who manage over 42 million acres of forestland in the United States and Canada. The Guild has programs and staff in Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Forest Stewards Guild (the Guild) is hiring a full-time position in Maine! Candidates should have a deep understanding of Northeastern forests, education and experience in forestry or a related natural resource field and bring strong project management and supervisory skills. This individual will have excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills, and demonstrate a passion for advancing ecological forestry in the Northeast. They will possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The Senior Forester will make an immediate positive impact through active projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Penobscot Nation, and others. The Senior Forester will work in partnership with Guild staff and our partners to develop forest resilience plans and prescriptions, manage contracts and agreements with local forestry businesses, and help guide the next generation of forest stewards.

This position is intentionally designed to be flexible and responsive to organizational needs. Initially, this position will primarily support projects with the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, National Park Service’s Resilient Forests Initiative, and Forest Stewards Apprenticeship. However, this role is structured to evolve over time based on emerging priorities, funding opportunities, and the Senior Forester's strengths and interests.

Primary duties for the Senior Forester include, but are not limited to:

• Manage project workflows and collaborate with teams using software such as Mural, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams. 
• Provide administrative and technical support to implement complex project objectives and deliverables.
• Manage contracts and agreements per the Guild’s procurement policies.
• Track project budgets, metrics, and deliverables.
• Supervise seasonal and year-round staff.
• Support grant writing, administration, and reporting to a variety of different funders, including private foundations and government grants. 
• Maintain relationships with diverse partner organizations, agencies, and contractors across multiple states. 
• Represent the Guild at collaborative meetings, events, and conferences.
• Assist with the training and management of the Guild’s Forest Stewards Apprenticeship and Forest Stewards Youth Corps programs.
• Conduct field work, as needed, to assist with monitoring and field inspections of forest resilience projects and visit Guild field crews on difficult or hazardous terrain, and in other physically demanding environments.

Minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience of Northeastern forest ecosystems
• Bachelor’s degree and 5 to 10 years experience in a natural resources or environmental science related field
• Experience with the following items:
  • Developing forestry prescriptions
  • Overseeing forest restoration projects and/or timber sales
  • Contract management
  • Writing forest management or other ecological management plans
  • Conducting ecological monitoring, timber cruising, or other ecological data collection
  • Implementing forest management projects using a chainsaw, brush saw, herbicide, or other methods
  • ArcGIS
  • Microsoft Office
• Experience leading teams and mentoring and supervising staff
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

Preferred qualifications

• Professional licensure as a forester in Maine is preferred, but not required
• Experience with wildland fire or prescribed fire. Qualified as NWCG FFT2 or higher.
• Outdoor leadership and/or education and coordinating geographically dispersed field crews 
• Experience working in the non-profit and/or government sector
• Experience working with Sovereign Tribal nations
• Experience applying for funding opportunities or submitting bids for forestry contracts
• Hold a current chainsaw safety certification such as Certified Logging Professional, S-212, Game of Logging, or Developing the Thinking Sawyer

Compensation and Benefits Package  

• The position is a regular, full-time position
• $35.51 - $40.25 per hour depending on experience and qualifications
• Paid leave and sick leave accrued from the first day of employment
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Family Leave after 12 months of employment
• Employer-sponsored comprehensive health and dental care coverage
• Retirement plan with an employer match
• Employer-sponsored short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance

The Guild is dedicated to providing an open, transparent, and just organization and workplace. We strive for clear, open, and kind communication. We are dedicated to building a work culture that recognizes the inherent value of our employees, supports a healthy work-life balance, and provides an environment that supports career and personal growth.  

Location

The successful candidate must live in Maine. The Senior Forester will work out of their home office. Applicants living in the Portland, Midcoast, and Downeast regions preferred. Travel will be required, including to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, the greater Orono area, and throughout the Northeast.

To apply 

Interested applicants should email their cover letter, resume, three professional references,  a writing sample, and earliest available start date to applicationsne at forestguild dot org by March 1st, 2026 in order to be considered. Please put SENIOR FORESTER in the subject line. All documents should be in PDF format with your last name in the file name. One combined PDF document is preferred. For questions about this position, please reach out to Matt Piccarello at matt at forestguild dot org