MACED seeks a forestry program manager
September 2008
Background
For 32 years, MACED has worked to improve the quality of life in Kentucky and Central Appalachia by creating economic opportunity, strengthening democracy and supporting the sustainable use of natural resources. MACED seeks to help low-income people grow wealth, raise community expectations of the possible and engage in solving tough problems.
MACED employs three major strategies toward these goals—1) providing financial capital and expertise to individuals, businesses and communities, 2) conducting research and engaging in effective communications to support good public policy and 3) demonstrating effective community economic development efforts that make a difference.
MACED is a fast-paced, dynamic and growing organization with a 22-person staff that manages $13 million in total assets. The organization is currently growing its efforts to focus more squarely on sustainable development work in eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia. MACED is concentrating on change strategies that generate economic and environmental benefits to local people and places. These strategies include targeting specific economic sectors (such as energy, sustainable forestry, childcare and financial services), integrating our programmatic strategies and growing the scope and scale of MACED’s work and impact.
Forest Opportunities Initiative
MACED is committed to making sustainable forestry a real economic force that promotes environmental stewardship. We know this transition will take innovative approaches, strategic use of affordable capital, quality research, policy reform and access to emerging markets.
With the growing concern over climate change, important efforts are underway to create markets that protect and promote important environmental services like water and air filtration, soil development and the sequestration of greenhouse gases.
In June 2007 MACED launched an innovative initiative to demonstrate a new approach to sustainable forestry in Central Appalachia. MACED is working with landowners to help them gain additional income from their forests and increase the environmental health of their woodlot. Landowners receive income from the sale of carbon credits for performing good forest management practices, increasing a critical ecosystem service, the sequestration of carbon by forestlands. Sustainable harvests of timber are used to produce additional revenue.
A viable market exists today that will pay landowners for carbon dioxide stored by their forests. A major portion of the market is currently made available through the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) – a trading platform that facilitates the sale of carbon offset credits. MACED is the only organization in Central Appalachia certified by CCX as an aggregator of managed forest offset credits. The program manager is not expected to be an expert in carbon trading, but should have sufficient interest in the subject to pursue a workable understanding needed for effective management of the program.
MACED seeks to develop other forestry efforts that grow forested acres under sustainable management and build enterprises that produce products from these forests. The program manager will work with staff and partners to develop new efforts that compliment the existing program.
Position Description
The Forest Opportunities Initiative (FOI) program manager will manage MACED’s dynamic forestry program through a time of change and opportunity. The FOI promotes land management on private lands through creative uses of financing, revenue generation and sustainable forestry management. The manager will work directly with landowners, foresters, carbon trading entities, partners and other MACED staff. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following areas.
Program Management
The program manager will be the point person on all management issues related to the forestry program. They should have a clear sense of strategy and purpose concerning the program and be able to confidently express its unique characteristics.
-
* Maintain and sharpen a vision of forestry for Central Appalachia that promotes the economic and environmental benefits of managed forests.
-
* Continue the innovative design and implementation of MACED’s forestry program.
-
* Support and supervise program staff in a team environment.
-
* Work with program staff and the management team to develop innovative new program and products through research, discussion and grounded learning.
-
* Be decisive in daily management of the program.
-
* Prepare and apply work plans and budgets.
Forestry Knowledge
MACED’s staff includes a full-time forester to provide forestry expertise and outreach services to landowners. The program manager is not expected to be a trained forester, but should have significant practical experience in forestry or other areas of natural resource management.
-
-
* Ensure the development of systems and standards to promote sustainable forestry practices on the ground in the Appalachia region.
-
* Keep up-to-date on relevant state and federal policy that effects and supports forestry on private lands.
-
* Manage the building of collaborations and alliances across diverse parties interested in forestry in the region.
-
* Coordinate documentation of the community development, economic and environmental impacts of MACED’s forestry efforts.
-
* Create and manage a system to develop and implement the best of a diverse range of possible strategies for landowners to derive income from their land while protecting the environment.
Carbon Trading
Manage and continuously improve the systems needed to ensure accurate carbon accounting, ongoing carbon trading and development of market knowledge that ensures taking advantage of the changing carbon markets.
-
* Ensure data management, reporting and all other requirements that ensure the development of high-quality carbon credits.
-
* Represent landowners by serving as their broker in marketing carbon credits to exchange buyers.
-
* Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the trading exchange.
-
* Conduct problem solving and troubleshooting of issues as they arise.
Marketing and Communications
Promote and market forestry-related and other MACED products and services throughout Central Appalachia.
-
* Lead the development and execution of detailed communications plans.
-
* Work with the forestry team to identify and develop new markets and expand lending and technical assistance opportunities.
-
* Develop partnerships other organizations in Kentucky and Central Appalachia to coordinate effective delivery of forestry-related products and services.
-
* Develop a network of contacts in Central Appalachia to identify prospective clients.
-
* Attend meetings and make presentations on MACED’s behalf to build the organization’s reputation and activity in Central Appalachia.
-
* Provide appropriate content and review for website, communications to media sources and strategic correspondence.
Reporting and Administration
Fundraising and Development
Minimum Qualifications and Characteristics
-
* Demonstrated experience in managing staff, project design and management.
-
*
Strongly articulated interest in and commitment to sustainable forestry.
* Minimum of five year experience in natural resource management.
-
*
Minimum of a four year college degree in a natural science-related field.
-
*
Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, foundation and/or government reporting.
-
* An understanding of product development and marketing.
-
* Ability to skillfully and respectfully supervise the work of others.
-
* Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
-
* Committed to strategic thinking and innovative action.
-
* Strong computer skills, especially word-processing and spreadsheets.
-
* Highly self-motivated.
-
* Outgoing, well organized, attentive to detail, creative and able to work successfully on a team of diverse members.
-
* Able to work on multiple projects at once.
-
* Strong program evaluation skills.
Preferred Qualifications and Characteristics
Understanding of the Appalachian region. Understanding of forest economics and carbon sequestration a major plus. Forestry degree or Masters in a natural resource management field. Familiarity with forest certification systems and wood products production. Business knowledge or experience.
Additional Information
The position offers a competitive salary, based on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Position is based in Berea, Kentucky. Berea is a beautiful, small college town, an hour south of Lexington, on the edge of the Appalachian region. MACED is an equal opportunity employer.
Please e-mail your resume, three references and a cover letter. Specifically explain why you are interested in working in Appalachian Kentucky and why you are a good fit for this position. E-mail all three items to forestryprogrammanager@maced.org. Applications for this position will be reviewed beginning September 15, 2008, continuing until the position is filled. For more information about MACED visit www.maced.org |
