Community Forestry Partnerships Specialist

Position Type: Full-time

Location: Maryland-based; remote work supported with regular in-state travel

Salary Range: $55,000–$65,000, depending on experience

Application Deadline: THIS JOB POSTING HAS CLOSED

Job Summary

The Maryland Forestry Foundation seeks a Community Forestry Partnerships Specialist to support high-visibility community forestry programs carried out in coordination with the Maryland Forest Service and Maryland’s Forestry Board network.

Maryland’s Forestry Boards are an important statewide forestry institution, administered in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and sustained by regional and local volunteer leadership. This position will help strengthen that system by supporting regional board administration, community forestry grantmaking, committee operations, outreach, and public engagement.

The Specialist will work within a partnership framework involving MFF, MFS, MUCFC members, Forestry Board leaders, volunteers, landowners, applicants, grant recipients, and community partners. The role requires an organized, independent self-starter who can manage deadlines, keep records current, seek support when needed, and build working relationships across organizations. Related experience with environmental nonprofits, volunteer boards, conservation programs, or public grant administration is highly valuable.

Primary Duties

Outreach, Partnerships, and 5 Million Trees Engagement: 30%

  • Support outreach related to Maryland’s 5 Million Trees Initiative and other community forestry programs.
  • Share program information, funding opportunities, deadlines, and public updates with regional Forestry Boards, local governments, schools, nonprofits, civic groups, and community partners.
  • Build and maintain working relationships that help partners navigate MFF, MFS, MUCFC, and Forestry Board programs.
  • Assist with newsletters, web updates, event materials, meeting materials, and other public-facing communications.

Grant Review and Award Coordination: 30%

  • Support review and award coordination for a community forestry grant program distributing approximately $100,000 annually in state and federal funds.
  • Coordinate use of Submittable for application review, including county Forestry Board feedback, external reviewer assignments, rubric completion, and score compilation.
  • Work with MFS staff, MUCFC members, county Forestry Board chairs, and other reviewers to organize recommendations for MFS funding decisions.
  • After MFS decisions are made, coordinate with MFF staff on applicant notifications, award documentation, and grant agreement handoff.
  • Help ensure awardees are connected with the appropriate Forestry Board and regional community forester for technical support.

Central Region Forest Conservancy District Board Support: 20%

  • Serve as Secretary for the Central Region Forest Conservancy District Board.
  • Work with MFF and MFS staff, regional board leadership, and county board representatives to prepare agendas, minutes, notices, attendance records, and follow-up items.
  • Maintain board records and support clear communication before and after meetings.

Committee Support: 20%

  • Provide meeting and administrative support for volunteer committees connected to MFF and MFS programs.
  • Support committees associated with the Maryland Big Tree Program, Natural Resources Careers Camp, Urban Forestry Careers Camp, and other initiatives as assigned.
  • Prepare agendas, notes, records, follow-up items, and routine communications.
  • Help maintain related program information, including web content, databases, registrations, nominations, or volunteer records as needed.
  • Keep committee work organized and connected to the appropriate MFF staff, MFS staff, and Forestry Board representatives.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as natural resources, public or nonprofit administration, public programs, education, communications, or community engagement.
  • Two to four years of relevant experience in program coordination, outreach, grants, volunteer engagement, public administration, nonprofit work, or environmental programs.
  • Strong organization, communication, recordkeeping, and follow-through.
  • Experience coordinating meetings, preparing agendas or minutes, tracking action items, and maintaining accurate records.
  • Comfortable working with volunteers, landowners, public agencies, nonprofits, community groups, and partner organizations.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, virtual meeting tools, and shared file systems.
  • Ability to work independently, travel within Maryland, and work occasional evenings or weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with grants, recognition or award programs, public-facing program administration, volunteer boards, advisory committees, or nonprofit programs.
  • Familiarity with forestry, urban and community forestry, natural resources, forest stewardship, native trees, landowner outreach, environmental education, Maryland Forestry Boards, the Maryland Forest Service, or the Maryland Big Tree Program.
  • Experience maintaining program databases, websites, public records, or partner-facing information systems.

Equal Opportunity

The Maryland Forestry Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and with varied professional experiences are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Applicants should email a cover letter and resume, using the subject line “Community Forestry Partnerships Specialist”, to info@marylandforestryfoundation.org, attention Dawn Balinski, Treasurer.  Two references with contact information should be included in the cover letter.

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