SME - Reforestation

IEM is seeking a Part-Time Reforestation Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support our continued growth. The Reforestation SME provides specialized technical expertise to support wildfire recovery and long‑term forest restoration efforts. This role requires deep knowledge of Rocky Mountain ecosystems, post‑fire ecological processes, and evidence‑based reforestation practices. The SME will support the development of defensible technical assessments and SME reports used to substantiate claimant recovery amounts in alignment with program guidelines.

Primary Location:  

• Live within the United States including any US territory
• Work from a personal/home office location

Travel Requirements:

• This position may require travel to complete work assignments or attend meetings/trainings. 

Essential Functions:

• Design and oversee reforestation projects in areas affected by wildfire, with a focus on ecological restoration and long-term forest health.
• Conduct site assessments to determine soil stability, species suitability, and prioritize areas for intervention based on ecological and community needs.
• Collaborate with land managers, government agencies, community stakeholders, and non-profit partners to develop reforestation plans tailored to Rocky Mountain landscapes.
• Provide technical guidance on seed collection, native species selection, planting techniques, and post-planting care specific to post-wildfire recovery in the region.
• Monitor project outcomes, adapt management strategies, and report on progress and ecological impacts.
• Deliver training and workshops for field personnel and community volunteers on wildfire reforestation methods and safety protocols.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of combined experience in reforestation, wildfire recovery, land restoration, forestry, or related ecological disciplines.
• Demonstrated expertise with Rocky Mountain ecosystems, native species, and post‑wildfire regeneration practices.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Wildfire ecology and burn severity effects
  • Forest succession
  • Soil stabilization and watershed dynamics
  • Native plant communities of the Rocky Mountain region
• Experience preparing technical assessments, valuation summaries, or SME reports related to ecological losses and restoration costs.
• Proficiency using GIS, remote sensing platforms, and ecological monitoring tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain technical findings to claimants, FEMA staff, and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work safely in remote, rugged terrain and variable weather conditions.
• Strong customer‑service approach when interacting with claimants and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience collaborating with federal and state land management agencies (e.g., USFS, BLM, NRCS).
• Certification or training in forestry, ecological restoration, fire ecology, or similar fields (e.g., SAF Certified Forester, Society for Ecological Restoration credentials).
• Knowledge of climate adaptation strategies in forest recovery and long‑term resilience planning.
• Experience with grant development, project budget creation, or multi‑stakeholder restoration partnerships.

Additional Information:

• Personal Office / At Home Locations: All personal office/at home work environments require the ability to maintain minimum Internet speeds of 25 Mbps upload and 3 Mbps download, as well as a ping rate of 100 ms or less during working hours, regardless of the type and number of devices using your Internet connection. You must also have account privileges and access to your Internet service provider account during working hours for the purpose of maintaining the Internet connection, if needed.

Benefits and more:

• Hourly rate based on location and experience: $43.00 - $59.42 / hour.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All IEM employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment, if necessary, are made without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. 

Reasonable Accommodation: IEM is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or employment process, please email [email protected] with specific details about the requested accommodation. All accommodation requests are reviewed case-by-case in compliance with applicable law.