Lead Forester/Ecologist

Kindred Land Management; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gear/equipment stipends

Autonomy and flexibility

Direct impact on ecosystems

Job summary

Kindred Land Management seeks a Lead Forester and Ecologist to balance high-level ecological strategy with hands-on field work in Nashville, TN. You will write detailed management plans and supervise junior technicians to ensure restoration projects meet top standards.

The role demands expertise in forestry, wildlife biology, and natural resource management, plus licenses and credentials for safe field operations across Middle Tennessee.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years hands-on experience in forestry, habitat restoration, or natural resource management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop Management Plans: Author comprehensive forestry, wildlife, and natural resource management plans tailored to client goals and ecological needs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all plans meet local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Ecological Assessments: Conduct field inventory, timber cruising, and vegetative surveys to inform management decisions.
• Human Capital & Resource Management: Plan and schedule people and resources to maximize team and client satisfaction.
• Supervise, train, and ensure safety of junior technicians on-site.
• Habitat Restoration Execution: Perform chainsaw felling, timber stand improvement, and invasive species control.
• Equipment Operation: Safely operate tractors, track loaders, no-till drills, and related gear.
• Herbicide Application: Oversee precise applications per safety and ecological guidelines.
• Logistics & Transport: Load, secure, and trailer heavy equipment between job sites.

Skills

Leadership

Field operations

Safety management

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field

TN Dept of Agriculture Pesticide License (Commercial Applicator)

NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP) designation or eligibility

Tennessee Certified Burn Manager

Valid Driver’s License

Tools

Tractors

No-till seed drills

Track loaders

UTVs

Commercial sprayers

Job description

Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Field-based & Remote/Office hybrid)

Job Title: Lead Forester/Ecologist

Company: Kindred Land Management

Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Field-based & Remote/Office hybrid)

Position Type: Full-time, Leadership / "Player-Coach" Role

About Us

At Kindred Land Management , our mission is to help landowners improve native habitat. As a small, specialized team, we provide high-quality native habitat restoration services, including non-native invasive species control, timber stand improvement, grassland restoration, prescribed fire, and more . Because we are a lean and agile company, every team member wears multiple hats. We are looking for a dedicated leader who is as comfortable writing a robust management plan as they are running a chainsaw in the thick of a Middle Tennessee summer.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Lead Forester and Ecologist to serve as a pivotal "player-coach" within our company. This role perfectly balances high-level ecological strategy with gritty, hands-on field execution.

You will have ultimate responsibility for the safe, effective, and efficient implementation of management practices while simultaneously writing comprehensive forestry, wildlife, and natural resource management plans. In the field, you will lead by example—working alongside and supervising junior technicians to ensure our restoration projects are executed to the highest standard. In the office, you will author detailed management plans that play a pivotal role in delivering an excellent experience to clients, and improving ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Planning & Strategy (Knowledge Work)

• Develop Management Plans: Author comprehensive forestry, wildlife, and natural resource management plans tailored to client goals and ecological needs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all plans meet local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Ecological Assessments: Conduct field inventory, timber cruising, and vegetative surveys to inform management decisions.
• Human Capital & Resource Management: Active participation in planning and scheduling people and resources that result in a high level of satisfaction for team and clients.

2. Field Operations & Leadership (Manual Labor)

• Supervise & Mentor: Supervise, train, and ensure the safety of junior technicians on-site, fostering a culture of safety and precision.
• Habitat Restoration Execution: Perform and oversee demanding physical tasks including chainsaw felling, timber stand improvement (TSI), and invasive species control.
• Equipment Operation: Safely operate and maintain specialized equipment, including tractors utilizing no-till seed drills, track loaders, UTVs, and commercial sprayers.
• Herbicide Application: Oversee and execute precise herbicide applications according to strict safety, governmental, and ecological guidelines, including use of chemical agents for formulation and cleaning
• Logistics & Transport: Safely load, secure, and trailer heavy equipment to and from various job sites across Middle Tennessee.

Position Requirements

Experience & Education

• Minimum 4 years of verifiable, hands-on experience in forestry, habitat restoration, or natural resource management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field.

Certifications & Licenses (Required or able to obtain quickly)

• TN Department of Agriculture Pesticide License (Commercial Applicator Category 2, 6, or 10 preferred).
• NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP) designation (or immediate eligibility to obtain).
• Tennessee Certified Burn Manager credential from the TN Division of Forestry.
• Valid Driver’s License

Technical & Regional Expertise

• Middle Tennessee Ecology: Expert-level knowledge of the forest and grassland ecology specific to the Middle Tennessee region. Case study analysis w/ management recommendations will be a required part of the interview process.
• Plant Identification: Expert-level plant identification skills (both native and non-native invasive species), with a focus on forests and grasslands. Field demonstration will be a required part of the interview process
• Technical Writing: Proven track record of writing professional, data-driven land management plans. Sample Management Plans will be a required part of the interview process.

Physical & Equipment Proficiency

• Chainsaw Proficiency: Deep experience with safe operation, maintenance, and directional felling techniques.
• Heavy Machinery Operation: Experience operating tractors, track loaders, and associated attachments (like no-till drills).
• Trailering Skills: Demonstrated experience safely hooking up, securing, and trailering heavy equipment.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to perform demanding physical labor in diverse weather conditions, rough terrain, and thick vegetation while carrying heavy loads.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• The autonomy and flexibility of working with a small, growing business.
• Direct impact on restoring local ecosystems and conserving Tennessee's natural heritage.
• Gear/equipment stipends.