Employment Opportunities

NEW - Southeast Region Program Manager

Position Title: Southeast Region Program Manager

Department: Education                                      Salary: $48,000 - $52,000

Reports to: Senior Director of Education                              

Full time, Salaried, Non-Exempt position  

Position Summary: The Southeast Region Program Manager will develop and deliver mission-aligned education programs and events based at the Forest Society’s Creek Farm Education Center in Portsmouth, as well as field-based programs at other Forest Society Southeast region forests. This position serves as the primary point of contact and operations coordinator for existing and future partner groups (camps, seasonal sports, schools, Education Center tenants, etc.) that routinely utilize Creek Farm’s grounds and buildings, problem solving and facilitating communication between these partners. The position is expected to develop new partnerships with community groups and organizations to expand educational offerings and opportunities in this region. This position will also recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers in roles that assist with outreach, events, and educational program delivery.  General outreach about the Forest Society to Southeast region audiences is expected, as is assistance with marketing and promotion of events via social media, e-newsletters, blogs, articles, and other media outlets. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Design, develop and implement engaging education programs that further the Forest Society’s conservation and stewardship mission, which may include year-round lectures or talks, hikes, walks, tours, special events and wider community outreach for adult and family audiences.
  • Promote public visitation and enjoyment of the Creek Farm outdoor campus. Provide on-site interpretation for visitors to Creek Farm at our Education Center when needed, providing a welcoming presence and a reliable source of information for visitors.
  • Develop and cultivate outreach and education partnerships with allied organizations and community groups, both at Creek Farm and in the greater Southeast NH region, to expand offerings and program audiences engaging with the Forest Society.
  • Track program effectiveness and engagement via program attendance, participant surveys, cost-benefit analyses, and other measures to understand impact and make decisions about future program development.
  • Work with the Regional Development Manager to represent Forest Society within Portsmouth’s environmental, sustainability, recreation, fitness, and arts communities.  Assist at other Forest Society public programs, tabling events, fairs, hikes, tours, special events or stewardship volunteer workdays. Work closely with the Southeast Regional Development & Engagement Manager to identify and cultivate existing and potential donors and supporters.
  • Assist with annual development of Creek Farm and Education Department budgets; monitor and manage program budgets throughout the fiscal year.
  • Serve as main point of contact and coordinator of all user groups and tenants currently utilizing the Creek Farm grounds, dock, or Education Center on a routine or seasonal basis. Manage and communicate weekly about the shared calendar for all activities and events at Creek Farm, so that all groups including staff, tenants, and stakeholders are aware of these activities. Facilitate communication between user groups and resolve issues and conflicts that arise as diplomatically as possible. Monitor and verify that user groups are acting in accordance with established leases and written agreements, as well as property guidelines and easement restrictions.
  • Recruit, train, coordinate, and supervise volunteers to assist with program, outreach, and event implementation. Work with the Forest Society’s Volunteer Coordinator to effectively track volunteer contacts, hours, and accomplishments, and to recognize and support outstanding volunteers.
  • Evaluate and find ways to improve the Forest Society’s Mount Major Outdoor Classroom program (Alton, NH). Track visitation of school and other groups at Mt. Major and assist as needed with the Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program (VTOP) on the mountain. Collaborate with other staff to improve educational outreach at this extremely busy hiking destination, and to engage visitors here about the Forest Society’s mission.
  • Develop and expand digital content for social media, websites, and the Forest Society’s mobile trails app, focusing on the Southeast region of the State. Work with Communications staff to promote events and programs on local, regional, and statewide levels.
  • Other duties as assigned

Contributions/Outcomes:

  • Increased public visitation and community engagement with the Forest Society and our mission through scheduled programs and events covering a wide range of natural history and recreation-based topics for public audiences (may include youth, families, schools, camps, and adult audiences).
  • Sustained, positive working relationships with all program partners, authorized user groups, and tenants at Creek Farm campus via excellent facilitation and communication of scheduled events and anticipation of user needs.
  • Establishment of a cadre of highly engaged and effective volunteers, dedicated to assisting with events, visitor outreach, and educational programming at Creek Farm and other Southeast region properties.
  • New and continuing partnerships that expand the Forest Society’s reach and help shape public perception of Creek Farm as a Forest Society recreation destination and indoor/outdoor learning campus. Innovative new programs that increase visitation, foster wider community partnerships, and engage new audiences on-site at Creek Farm and within the wider Seacoast region.
  • Improved educational content and engagement available to schools and other groups visiting Mount Major, with the goals of increasing safety and sustainability of this environment and heavily used recreational resource and creating new support for the organization.

Qualifications and Skills required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental education, or related field.
  • Personable, articulate, motivated, and enthusiastic while bringing a creative, visionary approach to development of Creek Farm as a Forest Society education center. Flexibility and creative problem-solving abilities are strongly preferred.
  • Prior work experience developing and leading environmental education programs for youth, adult, and family-oriented outdoor education programs. Interpretive program experience is preferred.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to regularly communicate positively and effectively with a wide variety of program partners, tenants, user groups, and individuals. Prior public speaking and public presentation experience are highly preferred.
  • Strong NH natural resource background including familiarity with New Hampshire forests, forestry, wildlife, marine and estuarine ecosystems, and ecology.
  • Strong outdoor leadership and interpersonal skills to ensure successful field trip planning, leadership, and safety. Enthusiasm for and experience with outdoor recreation (e.g., hiking, paddling) preferred. Community public relations, media relations and community networking experience preferred. Established community network connections in Portsmouth and the greater Seacoast Region are helpful.
  • Ability to work comfortably both as part of a dynamic Forest Society staff team as well as providing primary leadership of Creek Farm and Seacoast region programs.
  • Excellent organizational skills with a detail-oriented approach to planning and implementing programs and events, as well as tracking and measuring program outcomes.
  • Driver’s license and reliable personal transportation required. Occasional travel (roughly 2-3 times a month) to Forest Society headquarters (Concord) are required for in-person meetings, and travel to sites outside the Southeast region.
  • Certifications in CPR/AED and Basic First Aid preferred, or ability and willingness to obtain these certifications.

Working Conditions: This position is based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Duties will require frequent evening/weekend work during busy program seasons. Working outdoors in varied weather conditions is frequently required. 

Physical Requirements: The ability to sit or stand while working at a computer. The ability to drive a vehicle. Must have the physical ability to hike, paddle, and carry 25lb backpack over rough terrain including rocky shoreline and wooded hiking trails. 

Direct Reports: None

Equity, Inclusion & Collaboration:   The Forest Society is an equity-based employer. We value a diverse staff and an inclusive culture. We value staff that work for the good of the whole; that can effectively collaborate to achieve shared goals of their department, as well as the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status as required by applicable law.

Interested candidates should send their cover letter and resume to: Stephanie Milender, Human Resources Director, at: smilender@forestsociety.org

 

 

Development Positions

This is a period of creativity and growth for the Forest Society as we approach the organization’s 125th anniversary and we're seeking experienced, passionate applicants for these new positions on our development team!

Learn more about these Development positions.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS at The Forest Society

The Forest Society offers a generous benefits package for all full-time positions and some benefited, part-time positions, including:

  • Twelve (12) Paid Holidays
  • Vacation Time
  • Family Health Leave (sick time)
  • Paid Family Leave (NH PFML program)
  • Health Insurance (effective upon start date)
  • Flexible Spending Account(s)
  • 403(b) and Roth Retirement Plans
  • Term Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Company Logo Wear allowance (yearly)
  • Access to Dental Insurance (employee paid)