Adirondack Program Manager

POSITION DETAILS

Title: Adirondack Program Coordinator or Adirondack Program Manager (dependent on experience)

Team: Community Investment

Location: Remote within the Adirondacks

Employment Type: Full-time; Exempt. 40 hours/week

Reports To: Adirondack Program Director

Supervises: None

ABOUT THE NORTHERN FOREST CENTER

Founded in 1997, the Northern Forest Center works across the 30-million-acre Northern Forest region of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. We advance community economic development and forest stewardship by providing collaborative leadership, innovative ideas, and expertise in program delivery, investment, project management, and public policy. Our work is grounded in strong partnerships with rural communities and a deep commitment to the region’s people, land, and future. Learn more at www.northernforest.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Adirondack Program Manager plays a key role in advancing the Northern Forest Center’s mission by advancing the Attracting New Residents strategy, a holistic approach to community revitalization for Adirondack communities. Working closely with the Adirondack Program Director and other staff across the organization as well as many external partners, this position is responsible for supporting and implementing programming and projects that create the conditions for Adirondack communities to thrive. This role is well-suited for a collaborative, mission-driven professional who thrives in a dynamic and evolving environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Adirondack Program Manager supports the Adirondack Program Director, working both collaboratively and independently to advance a broad suite of projects that advance community benefit by focusing on key issues and themes that align with community priorities and the Center’s mission. For example, current initiatives include:

• Collaborating with local partners in Elizabethtown, Chester, Tupper Lake, and other communities on projects focused on downtown revitalization, recreation development, municipal infrastructure, community identity, and climate readiness.
• Facilitating virtual and in-person opportunities for stakeholders to learn together and build connections on topics such as the development of middle-market housing in Adirondack communities, downtown revitalization, and building a sense of community among young people in the Adirondacks.
  • Developing middle-market housing in Elizabethtown and Tupper Lake through several Center-led real estate development projects.
  • Supporting due diligence and predevelopment for other project sponsors’ housing projects.

In support of these initiatives, the Adirondack Program Manager will:

• Convene in-person and virtual meetings with partners and advisors, with responsibility for scheduling, developing clear agendas, facilitating productive conversations, and providing strong communication afterwards.
• Organize and implement projects from inception through completion, identifying and tracking important tasks, milestones and deadlines.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners including community representatives, engaged community members and stakeholders, and contractors.
• Professionally represent the Center in meetings and public forums. While the Program Manager will work primarily within the Community Investment realm, they will represent the broad mission and multiple approaches of the Center’s overall portfolio of work, including Forest Economy and Forest Stewardship initiatives.
• Contribute to grant proposals.
  • Contribute content for the Center’s multiple communication platforms – website, social media platforms, Northern Forest News Digest, etc.
  • Contribute to annual organizational planning and evaluation.

Note: These responsibilities describe the general nature of the role and are not an exhaustive list. Other duties may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• • 2-4 years of relevant experience in project management
  • Demonstrated ability to advance projects with a creative, flexible and results-oriented approach
• Interest and/or knowledge in the topic areas identified above (e.g. community and downtown revitalization, middle-market housing, recreation development, municipal infrastructure, community identity and climate readiness)
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail, strong organization, and ongoing tracking to enhance team efficiency
  • Ability to work well independently and on a team
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams)

Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Adirondacks as needed and occasionally the Northern Forest region

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. As noted in the title listing, there is flexibility for this role to start as either a coordinator or manager level depending on candidate experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• • Experience working in or with rural communities
  • Familiarity with tools such as Adobe and Asana or similar project management platforms or willingness to learn
  • Experience collaborating with a diversity of types of partners across sectors
  • Knowledge of forestry, nonprofit management, or public policy

COMPETENCIES & WORKING STYLE

• • Collaborative and relationship-oriented
  • Highly organized and reliable
  • Adaptable and comfortable with complexity and evolving priorities
  • Results-oriented with a learning mindset and a creative approach to problem-solving
  • Committed to equity, inclusion, and respectful teamwork

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• • Salary range: $45,000–$58,000, commensurate with experience and title offered
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Employer-sponsored Anthem health insurance with employee premiums covered 90%
  • 20 PTO days, 12 sick days and 12 holidays annually
  • NY Disability and Paid Family Leave
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • SIMPLE IRA with 3% match
  • Voluntary life and dental insurance
  • Flexible and supportive work environment

WORK ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL

• • Regular travel within the Adirondacks and occasional travel in the Northern Forest region
  • Occasional overnight travel
  • Primarily a remote position

HOW TO APPLY. Interested candidates should email their application materials to resume@northernforest.org with the subject line: “Adirondack Program Manager Application.” Application review will begin on March 6, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.

The Northern Forest Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political beliefs, or veteran status.

• • Employer-sponsored Anthem health insurance with employee premiums covered 90%
  • 20 PTO days, 12 sick days and 12 holidays annually
  • NY Disability and Paid Family Leave
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • SIMPLE IRA with 3% match
  • Voluntary life and dental insurance
  • Flexible and supportive work environment