Forest Ecologist

Job Title: Forest Ecologist

Department: Michigan Chapter

Location: Remote within Northern Michigan

Reports To: Chapter Director

Supervises: N/A

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of togetherness. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel inequity, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our democracy.

By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it.

Sierra Club is comprised of staff across the country and a network of volunteers organized in local chapters that support our grassroots engagement. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with two labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Forest Ecologist is responsible for advocating for the protection of Michigan’s public and private lands to ensure our home state’s ecological health. This position is responsible for assessing and providing feedback on proposals impacting Michigan’s forests and wild spaces, establishing and maintaining relationships with relevant state agencies, and working closely with tribes, partner organizations and volunteers to advance the Chapter’s goals.

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work for volunteer meetings and public events; requires an ability to travel within the state with a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

• Forest, Wildlands and Wildlife Management. Review state compartment reviews and other proposals that impact Michigan’s forests and wild lands. Advocate for forest and land management practices that support at‑risk wildlife in the state. Educates staff, volunteers and partners on potential impacts and make recommendations in alignment with Sierra Club values and policies.
• Programmatic Strategy and Implementation. Plans, coordinates, and implements campaigns for various programs and projects in collaboration with the key staff and volunteers. Develops tactics and metrics, tracks policy and regulatory proceedings, and identifies opportunities for engagement, mobilization, or intervention for one or more campaign outcomes. Coordinates and measures the success of these campaigns with the State Director and volunteer leaders to ensure progress towards meeting the campaign’s goals.
• Communications. Supports communications and base building by leveraging digital organizing tools and internal and external communications. Represents the Sierra Club to the public and in the media. Writes newsletter articles, op‑eds, and action alerts.
• Collaboration. Identifies and is responsible for developing strong relationships with key people of influence, including community leaders, especially from frontline communities and public officials, to positively influence campaign or program outcomes. Seeks opportunities to advance the Sierra Club’s diversity initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate.
• Volunteer Development & Engagement. Identifies, trains, informs, and motivates volunteers to build and sustain grassroots power that centers frontline communities, influences decision makers and achieves campaign victories. Provides information, research, and other assistance to Sierra Club leaders, the public, and others about the campaign or program and priority issues.
• Community Engagement. Organizes events, trainings, rallies, outings, meetings, members of the media and communities to ensure visibility of the Sierra Club in a way that is strategic and values‑aligned.
• Fundraising. Tasks include grant writing, donor engagement, grant management, data management and reporting in partnership with the Chapter…