Applied Forest & Fire Strategy Manager

What We Can Achieve Together: The 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 where proactive restoration, strong partnerships, and sustained investment can deliver meaningful ecological and community benefits. A core element of this work is advancing a defined set of high‑priority landscapes—places where ecological urgency, community vulnerability, and strategic opportunity align, and where targeted support can catalyze durable, landscape‑scale outcomes. 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 requires comfort operating in dynamic, evolving conditions—where 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 B...