Longleaf Program Coordinator

The North Carolina Forest Service is a team of professionals who provide forest protection, emergency response, resource management and environmental education to the residents and landowners of North Carolina through a variety of programs. The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) provides services to all 100 counties in North Carolina.

The Longleaf Program Coordinator position is funded under a Cooperative Agreement between the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services-NCFS, and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to fulfill deliverables associated  with the WRC’s National Fish and Wildlife Foundation FY24 Longleaf Stewardship Fund grant “Restoring and Enhancing Longleaf Pine Habitat in Eastern North Carolina.” Funding for this position is secured through June 30, 2027, unless extended, and is subject to funds availability.

This position will function in a program coordination and leadership role promoting and supporting longleaf pine conservation, management, and partnership activities throughout the range of longleaf in NC.

Approximately 50% of the work time will involve coordinating the NCFS longleaf program and co-leading the NC Longleaf Coalition. Support the Coalition’s mission and programs, including the NC Longleaf Honor Role, Illustris Palustris annual recognition award, and lead the annual collection of NC longleaf accomplishment data for the Range-wide Longleaf Accomplishment Report. Develop updates and new content to maintain the website nclongleaf.org. Serve in a leadership role in planning and implementing the NC Longleaf Summit and other events. Plan, coordinate, deliver, and participate in landowner workshops, field tours and other outreach events. Plan coordinate and deliver training and other events for forestry, wildlife, and natural resource professionals. Develop or update brochures, publications, website content, and media content. Maintain accomplishment data and records required to meet grant deliverables. Prepare grant accomplishment and progress reports. Support and promote prescribed fire as a longleaf management tool. Support the emergency response mission of NCFS.

Approximately 50% of the work time will involve serving in a coordination and support role for the Cape Fear Arch  Conservation Collaboration and the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum furthering their concerted efforts to protect high-risk lands, facilitate networking and sharing of knowledge, and promote science-based conservation efforts across their respective landscapes. Both are regional conservation partnerships serving as Local Implementation Teams (LIT’s) for the America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative. Specific duties will be guided by an advisory committee representing both partnership organizations and will include convening and facilitating meetings and activities of the respective LIT’s, managing communication, assisting with implementation of programs and activities, supporting conservation planning and implementation, landowner outreach and education, among other duties to be determined.