Forests Community of Interest Coordinator

(1 year contract position)

 

The Puyallup Watershed Initiative (PWI) is a 10-year commitment funded by The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) to work with people in the Puyallup River Watershed to support the capacity and leadership development of individuals and groups who envision a healthier watershed. The initiative supports people and organizations to work together in Communities of Interest to identify environmental and social challenges affecting their community, decide how best to tackle them, and then do so.

 

The Forests Community of Interest (FCOI) is a collaborative body focused on forestlands from urban areas such as Tacoma and Puyallup, to small forestlands in rural Pierce County, and to large working forests in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range. The COI’s interest in forests – urban, rural and working – aligns with our three goals: 1) active engagement by small landowners in managing their forest land for wildlife habitat, cultural resource protection, ecosystem services, recreation, and income, 2) conservation of working forests that provide economic benefits to the community while also providing ecosystem services benefits to the region, and 3) protection and enhancement of urban forest habitats and their benefits to the community. It is expected that the candidate for Coordinator will agree to a commitment to the vision and goals the Puyallup Watershed Initiative and FCOI.

 

In Year 2, a number of activities are proposed for the following strategies from our work plan:

Strategy 1: Integrate work on forest issues across the watershed

Strategy 2: Develop a community forest trust in the Puyallup River watershed

Strategy 3: Engage small forest landowners

Strategy 4: Amend Pierce County Code, Title 18H, Forest Practices

Strategy 5: Support development of county and state policies that support mutual reinforcement

Strategy 6: Improve coordination in review and approval of FPAs among State, County, Tribes, and other stakeholders

Strategy 7: Improve knowledge and increase tree canopy and stewardship for a healthy urban forest in the lower watershed

 

The FCOI proposal and work plan is available through the following link: http://www.pwi.org/collaboratives/forestlands/

 

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

Coordinator Puyallup Watershed Initiative (PWI) Duties

  • Meet monthly with other COI coordinators and TRFF to share feedback and plan for future work
  • Work with other coordinators to identify opportunities to develop cross-COI strategies
  • Assist in planning and attend TRFF’s annual watershed convening
  • Provide input on capacity building needs, potential trainings, and PWI marketing or documentation efforts
  • Participate in PWI evaluation activities
  • Participate in cross-COI grant writing and fundraising opportunities
  • Provide input on the development of a future PWI backbone organization

Coordinator Forest COI responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the COI, including internal and external communications with partners, funders, and members of the public
  • Assist in the development of communications materials about the COI that can be shared with other COIs, potential funders and the public
  • Manage and post information about the COI on the PWI webpage and social media
  • Manage the COI budget, including tracking unallocated funds and providing periodic reports on fund balances to the COI
  • Serve as the COI’s point of contact with TRFF, sharing timely updates from TRFF and providing feedback from the COI
  • Maintain centralized and organized documents for the COI so they can be easily accessed by all COI members
  • Lead the annual reporting and renewal process, including submitting materials to TRFF and other funders
  • Attend lower, mid and upper watershed meetings for the Forest COI, and provide logistical meeting support to lower watershed meetings
  • Coordinating with the facilitation team for the bi-monthly COI meetings
  • Track COI participation, including signatories on the COI pledge, and welcome and orient new members to the COI
  • Assist in grant research, writing, and submittal to advance COI and sub-strategies, and pursue other potential revenue sources (e.g. sponsorships)

 

This is a contract position with a 12-month term with the possibility of extension pending funding. This position is funded through The Russell Family Foundation Puyallup Watershed Initiative.

 

As our ideal candidate, you are:  

  • Skilled in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing job assignments, and independently meeting required deadlines
  • Service oriented with a positive attitude
  • Adept in working with diverse communities and coalitions
  • A compelling and engaging communicator (including active listening)
  • Skilled in grant writing and research (or in other persuasive writing)
  • Passionate about collaboration
  • Familiar with or willing to learn about the Puyallup River Watershed
  • Familiar with forests, ecology, or a related field
  • Able to provide your own transportation, work flexible hours, lift 30 pounds, and sit for long periods of time
  • Fluent in current document creation and management tools such as Microsoft Office and Google Documents
  • Familiar with multiple social media platforms, particularly Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as how to deploy these tools to communicate with general public

 

Work Conditions

  • Most of the work is conducted in an office environment, but interactions in other workplaces are periodically necessary, including local and regional travel (e.g. site visits to forest properties)

 

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to travel and access various types of buildings
  • Speech, visual, and hearing abilities that are sufficient to read and view written materials and effectively communicate and interact with COI member and the public – both in person, over the telephone and on the computer

 

Reporting Relationship

The Coordinator will report to the FCOI Steering Committee

 

Compensation and Schedule:

$58,000 to 70,000 annually, depending on experience; expected time 40 hours per week

 

Benefits: to be handled by the contractor

 

To Apply:  Please send your cover letter, resume, and three references to dsandstrom@enviroissues.com.

 

Please Include:

  • Cover letter including your interest in the position
  • Resume highlighting relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities (maximum 2 pages)
  • Three job related or academic references with contact information

 

Applications accepted until priority date of January 15, 2016. Applications will be considered until filled.

 

The FCOI is an equal opportunity employer committed to affirmative action and accessibility. We are an inclusive organization. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. If you need any accommodations to participate in the application process please let us know

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. The statements contained herein should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. The FCOI has the exclusive right to alter this job description without notice.