Kentucky Heartwood
We're Hiring!
Forest Watch Coordinator
Our Mission
Formed in 1992, Kentucky Heartwood is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to protect and restore the integrity, stability, and beauty of Kentucky’s native forests and biotic communities through research, education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Job Description
Kentucky Heartwood is seeking applicants for a Forest Watch Coordinator to lead the organization's work in public lands protection and wildlands advocacy in the state. The Forest Watch Coordinator will work closely with other staff, volunteers, contractors and the Kentucky Heartwood Council (Board of Directors). A background in ecology, natural resources, law and/or public lands work is preferred. Passion for the environment is essential. The Forest Watch Coordinator must have the ability to work well with a broad range of people from federal and state agencies, non-profits, and citizens. Self-identifying as an activist is required. Critical thinking, good organizational skills, and an ability to meet deadlines are essential. For more information about Kentucky Heartwood visit www.kyheartwood.org.
The position of Forest Watch Coordinator of Kentucky Heartwood is challenging and multi-faceted, requiring a creative, dedicated individual with a demonstrated commitment to forest advocacy.
The Forest Watch Coordinator is responsible for managing all aspects of the Forest Watch program of the organization in coordination with the Director and Council, including:
Public Lands Advocacy: The Forest Watch Coordinator will monitor, review, and engage in public lands management proposals affecting the Daniel Boone National Forest and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This includes working with our Director to identify issues and concerns and develop strategies for improving management outcomes. The Forest Watch Coordinator will ensure that comments and administrative objections to projects are submitted on behalf of the organization and align with the mission and vision of the organization. The Forest Watch Coordinator will work to educate and inform our members, partners, the general public, media, and decision makers regarding various national forest issues and facilitate public engagement in the public lands management process. Experience with forest plans and rare plant surveys is a plus.
Outreach and Communications: The Forest Watch Coordinator will be partially responsible for producing content for the Kentucky Heartwood website, providing content for the Kentucky Heartwood newsletter and social media channels. Other duties may also include participating and tabling at various public events, regional and national gatherings, public speaking engagements, and press conferences. The Forest Watch Coordinator will maintain and develop relationships with allied regional and national environmental organizations, members of the media, and federal and state agencies.
Financials and Operations: The Forest Watch Coordinator will work with the Director to brainstorm grant ideas and opportunities to fund special projects and equipment needs. The Forest Watch Coordinator will keep and submit detailed records and receipts of travel and equipment purchases to Kentucky Heartwood’s Administrator.
Desired Skills and Knowledge:
The Forest Watch Coordinator will ideally be an experienced outdoor lover, highly knowledgeable about deciduous forests, able to identify many tree species, native plants, invasive species, and threatened and endangered species. The Forest Watch Coordinator should be competent and comfortable hiking in various conditions and terrains and navigating safely in the woods. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience in (or the aptitude and desire to learn) federal laws and regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Forest Management Act. Competency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat is required. Preferred candidates will have experience utilizing ArcGIS/ESRI software (or similar GIS and mapping systems).
Council and Staff Support:
The Kentucky Heartwood Council and Director are deeply committed to the organization and its mission. The Director will primarily be dedicated to ensuring that the Forest Watch Coordinator will have the support and training needed to fulfill their duties.
Compensation and Benefits:
The Forest Watch Coordinator position is a full-time position (40 hours per week). Compensation is $38,000 a year (before taxes). Work schedule is flexible, but a commitment to a full-time work schedule is required. Benefits include 120 hours paid time off (PTO) annually. Kentucky Heartwood provides stipends for phone and home internet access and travel reimbursement. We do not offer a medical plan because the size of our organization limits our ability to become a part of a group health plan, but this may change with an additional full-time staff member.
Location and Travel:
Kentucky Heartwood maintains an office space and P.O. Box in Berea, Kentucky. While the Forest Watch Coordinator does not need to live in Berea, proximity to Berea is preferred and the coordinator must be a resident of Kentucky. The Forest Watch Coordinator must be able to travel to the Berea office, Council meetings (usually near Lexington), attend Forest Service and partner meetings around the state, and travel to all parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest on a regular basis. Travel to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area may be required on an occasional basis. Kentucky Heartwood reimburses staff for mileage at the IRS rate.
How to Apply:
We will begin reviewing applications November 1, 2021 and continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following to Kentucky Heartwood via email to info@kyheartwood.org with “Application for Forest Watch Coordinator position” in the subject line, application addressed to Ashley Lipscomb (she/her), and include the following as one PDF:
Formed in 1992, Kentucky Heartwood is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to protect and restore the integrity, stability, and beauty of Kentucky’s native forests and biotic communities through research, education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Job Description
Kentucky Heartwood is seeking applicants for a Forest Watch Coordinator to lead the organization's work in public lands protection and wildlands advocacy in the state. The Forest Watch Coordinator will work closely with other staff, volunteers, contractors and the Kentucky Heartwood Council (Board of Directors). A background in ecology, natural resources, law and/or public lands work is preferred. Passion for the environment is essential. The Forest Watch Coordinator must have the ability to work well with a broad range of people from federal and state agencies, non-profits, and citizens. Self-identifying as an activist is required. Critical thinking, good organizational skills, and an ability to meet deadlines are essential. For more information about Kentucky Heartwood visit www.kyheartwood.org.
The position of Forest Watch Coordinator of Kentucky Heartwood is challenging and multi-faceted, requiring a creative, dedicated individual with a demonstrated commitment to forest advocacy.
The Forest Watch Coordinator is responsible for managing all aspects of the Forest Watch program of the organization in coordination with the Director and Council, including:
Public Lands Advocacy: The Forest Watch Coordinator will monitor, review, and engage in public lands management proposals affecting the Daniel Boone National Forest and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This includes working with our Director to identify issues and concerns and develop strategies for improving management outcomes. The Forest Watch Coordinator will ensure that comments and administrative objections to projects are submitted on behalf of the organization and align with the mission and vision of the organization. The Forest Watch Coordinator will work to educate and inform our members, partners, the general public, media, and decision makers regarding various national forest issues and facilitate public engagement in the public lands management process. Experience with forest plans and rare plant surveys is a plus.
Outreach and Communications: The Forest Watch Coordinator will be partially responsible for producing content for the Kentucky Heartwood website, providing content for the Kentucky Heartwood newsletter and social media channels. Other duties may also include participating and tabling at various public events, regional and national gatherings, public speaking engagements, and press conferences. The Forest Watch Coordinator will maintain and develop relationships with allied regional and national environmental organizations, members of the media, and federal and state agencies.
Financials and Operations: The Forest Watch Coordinator will work with the Director to brainstorm grant ideas and opportunities to fund special projects and equipment needs. The Forest Watch Coordinator will keep and submit detailed records and receipts of travel and equipment purchases to Kentucky Heartwood’s Administrator.
Desired Skills and Knowledge:
The Forest Watch Coordinator will ideally be an experienced outdoor lover, highly knowledgeable about deciduous forests, able to identify many tree species, native plants, invasive species, and threatened and endangered species. The Forest Watch Coordinator should be competent and comfortable hiking in various conditions and terrains and navigating safely in the woods. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience in (or the aptitude and desire to learn) federal laws and regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Forest Management Act. Competency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat is required. Preferred candidates will have experience utilizing ArcGIS/ESRI software (or similar GIS and mapping systems).
Council and Staff Support:
The Kentucky Heartwood Council and Director are deeply committed to the organization and its mission. The Director will primarily be dedicated to ensuring that the Forest Watch Coordinator will have the support and training needed to fulfill their duties.
Compensation and Benefits:
The Forest Watch Coordinator position is a full-time position (40 hours per week). Compensation is $38,000 a year (before taxes). Work schedule is flexible, but a commitment to a full-time work schedule is required. Benefits include 120 hours paid time off (PTO) annually. Kentucky Heartwood provides stipends for phone and home internet access and travel reimbursement. We do not offer a medical plan because the size of our organization limits our ability to become a part of a group health plan, but this may change with an additional full-time staff member.
Location and Travel:
Kentucky Heartwood maintains an office space and P.O. Box in Berea, Kentucky. While the Forest Watch Coordinator does not need to live in Berea, proximity to Berea is preferred and the coordinator must be a resident of Kentucky. The Forest Watch Coordinator must be able to travel to the Berea office, Council meetings (usually near Lexington), attend Forest Service and partner meetings around the state, and travel to all parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest on a regular basis. Travel to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area may be required on an occasional basis. Kentucky Heartwood reimburses staff for mileage at the IRS rate.
How to Apply:
We will begin reviewing applications November 1, 2021 and continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following to Kentucky Heartwood via email to info@kyheartwood.org with “Application for Forest Watch Coordinator position” in the subject line, application addressed to Ashley Lipscomb (she/her), and include the following as one PDF:
- A cover letter introducing yourself and describing your interest in federal lands protection and land ethic
- A detailed resume, including educational and work experience
- Two professional references
- 2-3 writing examples (portions of technical writing pieces, op-eds, grant proposals, etc.)