JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Northeast Forest-Climate Policy Associate
The Pacific Forest Trust

Founded in 1993 by a unique group of forest landowners, foresters, business people and leading conservationists, the Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) is dedicated to protecting America's private forests for their public benefits. Based on our innovative and entrepreneurial conservation initiatives, PFT is recognized as a national leader in sustainable forestry and conservation.  We focus our direct conservation work in California, Oregon and Washington and engage in policy initiatives and constituency building nationally. PFT is the nation’s leading advocate for harnessing the climate benefits of forests in a multi-faceted strategy to resolve our climate crisis. PFT has provided conservation advice and services to owners of more than 5 million acres of forestland, has established conservation easements on 50,000 acres, and supervises forest management on about 15,000 acres. Visit our website for further information at www.pacificforest.org.
 
General:  The Pacific Forest Trust seeks a Northeast Forest-Climate Policy Associate to manage its forest-climate policy initiatives in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. Working with the National Policy Representative in Washington, DC and PFT’s policy team in San Francisco, this position has responsibility for policy analysis, education and advocacy related to forest management and conservation, forest land uses, and their environmental benefits and impacts (including, among others, climate change).

A major focus of the position is representing PFT in the development of state and regional policies to ensure appropriate incorporation of the contributions of the forests within states’ evolving climate policy frameworks.   This requires close work with state officials, forest landowners and conservation groups.

The Northeast Forest-Climate Policy Associate reports to the National Policy Representative, based in Washington, DC.  The Associate would represent PFT at forest and climate policy meetings throughout the region.  PFT is committed to this position for one to two years, but the commitment could be extended.

Qualifications:   College degree with focus on natural resources and/or public policy, graduate level experience a plus; excellent research, writing and analytical skills; ability to understand and assimilate complex environmental issues and policies effectively and quickly; experience working with policy-makers and agencies and previous collaboration with landowners and the nonprofit community a plus; knowledge of forestry, land use, climate change and conservation tools; well-developed computer skills are required, with Mac proficiency preferred; a commitment to creative conservation and the mission of The Pacific Forest Trust.   

Tasks and Responsibilities:  This position is responsible for collaboratively developing and leading implementation of northeastern state policy efforts including, but not limited to, the following areas and tasks:

1.     Monitor, analyze and report on state and regional legislation and regulations regarding forests, land use, climate change initiatives, and other policy issues related to private forestland management and conservation (i.e., watershed, fish and wildlife, habitat, etc.)

2.     Monitor and report on local, state and regional media stories regarding climate change and forest conservation issues related to PFT’s mission, projects and policy initiatives. 

3.     Participate in and represent PFT at relevant policy and stakeholder meetings, as needed

4.     Assist the National Policy Representative in state and regional efforts to conduct outreach and educate stakeholders regarding relationships between climate change, forest management and conservation, as well as forest carbon accounting rules.   

5.     Assist the National Policy Representative and President in other policy initiatives as needed.   

Location:  The Pacific Forest Trust is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, and has offices in Corvallis, OR, and in Seattle, WA.   This position would be located in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic.
 
Please submit resume, letter, references and compensation expectations:

The Pacific Forest Trust
1805 Monroe Street, NW

Washington D.C. 20010-1014
sericsson@pacificforest.org