Forest Legacy Project Coordinator

Montgomery County Maryland; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas Forest Service seeks a Forest Legacy Project Coordinator to conserve privately owned forest lands in Kansas. You will coordinate acquisitions, develop agreements, and review land docs while engaging landowners and partners.

The role blends conservation, real estate, and outreach, with a hybrid/remote work option and a focus on program integrity and collaboration across state agencies.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) and four years of relevant experience.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or Natural Resources preferred.
• Other bachelor’s or associate degrees may satisfy qualifications.
• Certified Paralegal is a plus; estate planning knowledge helps.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate acquisition of conservation easements and fee-title properties.
• Develop and negotiate conservation easements, contracts, permits, and land-use agreements.
• Review property appraisals, title information, and land transaction docs.
• Develop conservation easement documents, baseline docs, maps, and records.
• Engage landowners and partners; promote the Forest Legacy Program.

Skills

High school diploma

Four years experience

Valid driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry or Natural Resources

Bachelor’s degree in any field

Associate degree in business administration / communications / paralegal

Certified Paralegal

Job description

About This Role

As the Forest Legacy Project Coordinator, you’ll play an important role in protecting and conserving privately owned forest lands across Kansas. You’ll work with landowners, conservation partners, and federal and state agencies to advance voluntary conservation projects through the Kansas Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Coordinate the acquisition of conservation easements and fee-title properties through the Forest Legacy Program.
• Develop and negotiate conservation easements, contracts, permits, and other land-use agreements.
• Review property appraisals, title information, and other documentation related to land transactions.
• Develop conservation easement documents, baseline documentation, maps, and project records.
• Build relationships with Kansas forest landowners and connect them with conservation programs and resources.
• Develop outreach materials and promote the Forest Legacy Program to landowners and partners.
• Coordinate field days, outreach events, and other opportunities to highlight successful conservation projects.

This is a unique opportunity to combine conservation, real estate, project coordination, and landowner outreach while helping shape the future of Kansas’s privately owned forests.

About Us

The Kansas Forest Service is the 5th-oldest state forestry agency in the country, established in 1887, and is housed within K-State Extension. Our work supports landowners and communities, helps prevent and respond to wildfires, promotes healthy and resilient forests, and connects Kansans with the knowledge and resources they need to care for the state's natural resources.

At the Kansas Forest Service, we value a welcoming, collaborative workplace where employees can build connections with colleagues across the state while doing meaningful work for the people of Kansas. We recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and life and encourage employees to make use of their accrued leave and other earned benefits. Because our employees work in communities across Kansas, we also prioritize time to work together, including twice-yearly in-person meetings, abundant professional development opportunities, and connection through activities such as our agency book club. Learn more about us at https://www.kansasforests.org/about/

Worksite Description

This position is Hybrid and/or Remote eligible.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) and four years of relevant experience. Requirements may be met through a combination of work experience and education.
  Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or related academic field
  Bachelor’s degree in any field, or associate’s degree in business administration, communications, or paralegal
  Certified Paralegal, estate planning
  Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to manage deadlines effectively
  Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly with documentation and recordkeeping
  5 years of experience working in real estate or conservation easements
  Strong communication skills, and ability to clearly explain policies, procedures and services related to the Forest Stewardship Program and Forest Legacy Program
  Ability to develop effective informational materials and plan, coordinate and deliver meetings, workshops and outreach events
  Professional knowledge and experience with U.S. Forest Service Cooperative Forestry Programs

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Application Window

Applications close on: September 14, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$50,000 - $60,000