Forest Restoration Project Coordinator

The Nature Conservancy; Santa Fe (NM); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with 8% employer match

Parental leave

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Well-being benefits

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico seeks a Forest Restoration Project Coordinator to develop, manage and advance forest restoration projects across priority landscapes. You will oversee contracts, engage landowners and partners, and help tell the story of restoration work to funders and the public.

The role is full-time, grant-funded, based in New Mexico with a hybrid/remote setup (1 day/week in Santa Fe office).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Relationship building with partners, government officials, contractors, landowners.
• Ability to work independently and meet timelines.
• Strong written, spoken, and graphical English communication.
• Experience using Word, Excel, and web browsers.
• Experience with project and/or contract management for natural resources.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Provide project and contract support, including contract development, monitoring, and reporting.
• Serve as a primary contact for project landowners and contractors, including contract foresters.
• Communicate restoration activities in public forums and with partners.

Skills

Relationship building

Independent work

English communication

MS Office (Word/Excel)

Project/contract management

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

As the Forest Restoration Project Coordinator, you'll help develop, manage, and advance forest restoration projects in priority landscapes across New Mexico. Under the direction of the New Mexico Forest Strategy Director, you'll manage projects and contracts for forest and watershed restoration. You'll also share the story of this work with partners, funders, and the public.

In This Role, You Will

• Provide project and contract support, including contract development, monitoring, and reporting.
• Serve as an internal point of contact for project landowners and contractors, including contract foresters.
• Talk about restoration project activities in public forums and with partners, landowners, and contractors.
• Make sure the program meets internal policies and external requirements.
• Work with minimal supervision and make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• Help with forest restoration project planning, fundraising, and internal communications as needed.

The work is mostly desk-based, with occasional field visits for project monitoring and partner engagement. Fieldwork may involve variable weather, remote locations, and difficult or hazardous terrain under physically demanding conditions.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), grant-funded, fixed-term position based in New Mexico, with an anticipated end date of August 31, 2029.

We’re looking for someone who builds trust naturally and enjoys finding common ground among people with different perspectives. We'd love to meet someone who takes pride in follow-through, keeps calm when plans change, and gets energy from seeing on-the-ground progress. Most of all, we’re looking for someone who cares about the land and respects the rural communities who live and work on it.

This is a hybrid/remote role based in Santa Fe, New Mexico (1 day/week required in the office).

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, e.g., government officials, contractors, and landowners.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, and web browsers.
• Demonstrated experience with project and/or contract management, ideally for natural resource conservation and restoration.
• Must have valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide project activities.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles, especially relating to forest resources and watershed health.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in the conservation and restoration of forests and watersheds in the Western United States.
• Experience with public speaking, community relations, or related experience and/or training.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Familiar with rural community context, ideally, in New Mexico.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $57,035 - $67,140. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science‑based organization, we create innovative, on‑the‑ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC.

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non‑profit into one of the most effective and wide‑reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well‑being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well‑being of the people we employ.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.