Forestry Outreach Specialist

Overview
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF, is a regional cooperative and rural development organization serving a membership of Black farmers, landowners, cooperatives, and other low-income rural people in the Southeast. The Forestry Outreach Specialist will support efforts to engage underserved landowners in sustainable forestry practices and facilitate their access to available assistance programs. The Forestry Outreach Specialist will follow the guidance of the Georgia State Coordinator. The Outreach Specialist is responsible for providing and/or securing relevant resources and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and Federation members.

This employee will be responsible for working closely with non-members, members, staff (local and regional), and the State Coordinator. Working with the State Coordinator, the Forestry Outreach Specialist will develop goals, objectives, strategies, and timelines for FSC members, farmers, and ranchers. He/she will execute all required duties with a high degree of professionalism, consistency, promptness, and integrity. The Outreach Specialist will work under the supervision of the State Coordinator; he/she must also have the ability to self-direct their work. This position requires a commitment to social and economic justice as well as experience working in grassroots communities in the South.

Responsibilities

• Provide forestry inventory, resource mapping, and boundary lines delineation
• Performing outreach to landowners to promote sustainable forestry and developing education activities for private landowners.
• Providing Land/forest management technical assistance to private landowners
• Develop forestry management and burn plans.
• Working with landowners to facilitate access to land assistance programs through private, state, and federal agencies.
• Maintaining and reporting in writing monthly records on activities performed.
• Support other activities related to sustainable forestry, including agroforestry and urban forestry.
• Work cooperatively with relevant groups, including conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private agencies.
• Assist non-industrial private landowners with obtaining SFI and/ or FSC certification.
• Assist with the coordination and implementation of the youth forestry camp
• Other duties as requested and relevant to the organization's mission and work around cooperative development, land retention, and advocacy in general.
• Dependable form of transportation; travel is a MUST!

Requirements

• Minimum associate's degree in forestry, natural resource management, or other related fields
• Strong desire and/or experience in working with private landowners.
• Willing listener, with the ability to translate communication into the appropriate course of action.
• Good understanding of relevant Farm Bill Programs and USDA Agencies.
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision to meet objectives and deadlines.
• Ability to exert moderate physical effort; ability to work outside in most types of weather conditions
• Ability to prioritize and take initiative; Flexible and works effectively under pressure to meet deadlines and deliverables.
• Ability to build relationships based on dignity and respect.
• Familiarity and competency in using computers, Microsoft Office in particular.
• Some knowledge of USDA agencies and programs

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person