Blue Mountains Project Coordinator

> Back to Job Search

National Forest Foundation

La Grande, Baker City, Enterprise, Oregon

Job Type: Limited Term

Salary: $68,000 to $82,275

Start / End Dates: 05-15-26 to 05-15-29

Job Description: National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time, 3-Year term position that will support the improvement of recreation areas and restoration of natural resources on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests in Oregon.

About the NFF: As the official national partner to the US Forest Service (USFS), the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

Position Function: The Blue Mountains Project Coordinator reports to the Pacific Northwest & Alaska Region Director. The Coordinator will conduct community engagement, fundraising and project management for the reconstruction of recreation areas, restoration of natural resources, and improvement of forest health on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. This work requires close coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, contractors and implementation partners to accomplish identified goals and activities throughout the National Forests.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Blue Mountains Project Coordinator will:

  • Work with U.S. Forest Service staff to support planning and improvement of hiking trails, reservable guard stations, and other recreation assets as well as natural resource improvement projects as needed on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.
  • Network with organizations, agencies and others in Northeast Oregon and the Pacific Northwest to advance the activities on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.
  • Work with U.S. Forest Service staff to support the advertising, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to the on-the-ground implementation of projects.
  • Oversee contractors implementing on-the-ground projects in coordination with U.S. Forest Service staff to ensure successful project completion in a timely and financially responsible manner.
  • Manage contracts, invoices and finances for all NFF related projects on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests.
  • Maintain and manage administrative processes, including the management and tracking of program and project budgets.
  • With support of NFF’s Partnerships Program, work to expand the base of supporters and partners in the region by actively pursuing funding opportunities from government sources, foundations, corporations and individuals to support existing and new projects and opportunities to improve the National Forests.
  • With support of NFF’s Marketing and Communication team, work to communicate with and engage the public in caring for their National Forests through community-based conservation initiatives and outreach and awareness campaigns.
  • Serve as a point of contact for NFF conservation and development activities in Northeast Oregon.
  • Assist, as necessary, with the NFF program of work across the Pacific Northwest which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.

Qualifications / Experience Level Required:

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the Blue Mountains Project Coordinator to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:
  • Undergraduate degree in conservation, outdoor recreation, natural resource management, watershed science, forestry, environmental science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • A minimum of three (3) years’ experience with proven results in recreation or conservation project management, community outreach, and partnership development.
  • A minimum of three (3) years’ experience with proven results in project management, facilitation, and partnership development.
  • Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest lands management.
  • An understanding of natural resource issues in Oregon, and a willingness to build expertise in local natural resource issues and policies, quickly.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Experience Level: Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the Blue Mountains Project Coordinator to possess the following proven abilities and skills:
  • Ability to work independently, performing fieldwork, attending meetings, and managing contracts and projects with minimal oversight.
  • Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
  • Ability and skills preferred but not required include recreation and trails management, an understanding of engineering and design in association with recreation infrastructure and other relevant technical skills.
  • Ability to manage programs collaboratively, evaluate outcomes against quantifiable measures of success, develop reports, and clearly communicate program outcomes.
  • Ability to manage a variety of projects and tasks, effectively, to successful completion.
  • Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain neutrality.
  • Ability and willingness to travel regularly within the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, attend meetings in person regularly in Forest Service offices and in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
  • Excellent analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
  • Must have valid U.S. driver’s license and clean driving record.

Location: The coordinator will need to be located in Northeast Oregon in order to travel regularly throughout the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. This position is a work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace.

Compensation: NFF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our total rewards strategy. The starting salary range for this position is $68,000 to $82,275, with the ability to grow to $97,500 based on performance outcomes over time and assessed annually. NFF monitors mandated state minimum wage updates. Individual state conditions will be honored during the offer process.

Benefits: NFF is proud to offer our staff:
Health and Wellness:
  • Medical and dental insurance paid at 75% by the organization for you and any dependents.
  • Vision insurance paid 50% by the organization for you and any dependents.
  • Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions between $1,878-$3,750 per year, predicated on coverage type.
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
  • Employee assistance program (EAP) at no cost.

Financial Wellbeing:
  • 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one (1) year of service.
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
  • Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost, with voluntary life insurance options.
  • Whole life insurance at a discounted rate

Flexibility and time off:
  • Employees start with 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and holidays (annual leave accrual rates increase with years of service)
  • Family & medical leave for up to sixteen (16) weeks with up to four (4) weeks paid.

Personal Development:
  • Training & Development Programs
  • Professional development reimbursement for up to $1,000 per year.

Journey of a Lifetime:
  • The opportunity to support an incredible mission and travel to / work in spectacular locations.

To Apply: Applications must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will close on May 1, or earlier if filled. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer – meaning we provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, we prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. We strive to foster a work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and treated fairly. This statement reflects our unwavering dedication to fairness, respect, and equality in employment practices and sets the foundation for a positive work environment.

Housing: No

Contact:

Patrick Shannon

503-407-2898

pshannon@nationalforests.org

Apply for This Position: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4031475

Application Closes: 05/01/26

Visit our Resources page for resume help, additional job boards, and housing contacts for Southeast Oregon.

© High Desert Partnership. This site is managed by High Desert Partnership. High Desert Partnership strives to promote collaboration across communities of Eastern Oregon and is actively engaged in protecting diversity, enacting equity, and fostering inclusion. Our ambition is to contribute to building a sustainable and inclusive community in which ethnic, religious, gender, political and ideological differences are heard and respected.