Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager

Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager Company The Nature Conservancy Federal Contractor Location Helena, MT Date Posted 04/22/2026 Description What We Can Achieve TogetherThe Western Dry Forests Program is working to transform the pace, scale, and effectiveness of forest stewardship across the western United States. The program focuses on dry, frequent-fire forest systems w proactive restoration, strong partnerships, and sustained investment can deliver meaningful ecological andmunity benefits.

A core element of this work is advancing a defined set of high-priority landscapes-places w ecological urgency,munity vulnerability, and strategic opportunity align, and w targeted support can catalyze durable, landscape-scale oues. These landscapes serve as platforms for collaboration, learning, and investment, helping TNC and its partners demonstrate what is possible and accelerate progress across the broader region.

The Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager plays a critical role in helping these landscapes succeed by supporting TNC's state chapters (also known as Business Units (BUs)) across the West with coordination, resourcing, learning, and integration. This role does not manage on-the-ground restoration projects or direct implementation staff. Instead, it focuses on strengthening the systems, connections, and enabling conditions that allow BU-led work to move faster, farther, and more consistently. Success in this role requiresfort operating in dynamic, evolving conditions-w priorities shift, roles are intentionally flexible, and progress depends on creative problem-solving, initiative, and trust rather than formal authority. This position helps shape how the work happens as much as what work moves forward.

Working closely with BU practitioners, North America and Global programs (including North America Fire and the Fire Learning Network (FLN)), and Western Dry Forests core staff within TNC this position helps translate strategy into effective execution across the region's priority landscapes - helping connect national expertise, network-based partnerships, and tools with BU-led conservation priorities.

This position works remotely to serve the entire western United States and can be located in any of the eleven states Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

We're Looking for You If you are energized by the challenge of helping varied teams work more effectively at landscape scale-and if you enjoy removing barriers, aligning resources, and supporting innovation acrossplex systems-this role may be a strong fit for you.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and practice-who isfortable navigating uncertainty, connecting varied actors, and helping shape howplex work moves forward at scale.

This position is well suited to someone whoEnjoys working across geographies and organizational boundariesBrings a systems mindset to conservation challengesBrings a relationship-based, network-oriented approach toplex conservation challengesValues listening, facilitation, and co-creation with place-based staff and partnersCan balance strategic thinking with practical, hands-on supportIsfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping the edges of their role as priorities, partnerships, and opportunities evolveValues collaboration, learning, and equity as core elements of conservation success

RESPONSIBILITIES AND

SCOPEThe Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager willSupport Business Units engaged in priority dry forest landscapes by helping coordinate landscape-level conservation planning, sequencing, and cross-partner efforts, including co-developing a d understanding of landscape dynamics, priority needs, and feasible intervention opportunities-while leaving delivery authority with BUs. identify and reduce barriers that slow implementation, including gaps in capacity, coordination, conservation planning readiness (e.g., data analysis, alignment), or resourcing.

Operate with a high degree of autonomy and adaptability, helping define ap