California Program Manager – Southern Sierra

National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to offer a regular, full-time position that will provide programmatic leadership to successfully plan, develop, implement, and manage a complex portfolio of restoration projects across National Forests located in the Southern Sierra area of California.

About the NFF: The National Forest Foundation inspires all people to embrace and protect our awe-inspiring natural world. In cooperation with hundreds of partners, we lead natural solutions that restore the health of our people and planet.

Position Function: The California Program Manager – Southern Sierra reports directly to the Sierra Nevada Program Director and works closely with California-based program staff and other NFF staff to lead on-the-ground project management and development activities across multiple National Forest units in the Southern Sierra area. The role is responsible for leading the development and implementation of restoration programs and directly managing multiple projects to achieve programmatic outcomes. The Program Manager will coordinate closely with members of the U.S. Forest Service, local governments and communities, conservation NGOs, and private sector partners to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals on the Sierra, Stanislaus, and Sequoia National Forests.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: California Program Manager – Southern Sierra is responsible for:

• Working with the U.S. Forest Service to strategize and plan a long-term programmatic pipeline of priority projects and associated budgets for watershed improvement, ecosystem restoration, and recreation enhancement projects.
• Working with NFF staff to plan and implement a long-term and strategic fundraising effort that includes expansion of the base of private and public-sector supporters and partners by actively pursuing funding opportunities, creating new development opportunities, and writing and securing grants.
• Leading the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of multiple contracts for services related to on-the-ground implementation of watershed improvement, ecosystem restoration, and recreation enhancement projects.
• Managing relationships with multiple contractors, consultants, nonprofit organizations, partners, and the U.S. Forest Service to plan and implement multiple NEPA planning and on-the-ground projects.
• Supervising a team of up to four NFF staff and leading interviewing and hiring tasks for the Southern Sierra Program area.
• Coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service to develop, modify, manage, and track all aspects of multiple, large-scale stewardship, challenge cost share, and participating agreements for forest restoration projects across multiple forest units (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, recreation, NEPA planning, etc.).
• Building and strengthening the NFF’s ability to support on-the-ground restoration and recreation projects by supporting existing collaborations and building new partnerships.
• Maintaining a breadth of knowledge about current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions, and innovations in the field of restoration and conservation programming.
• Assisting as necessary with the NFF program of work in the State of California and Nevada, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.
• Serving as a point of contact for the NFF restoration and conservation activities in the Southern Sierra area.

Location: The location for this position is flexible and can be based in a community within or near the Sierra, Stanislaus, or Sequoia National Forests. This can include but is not limited to locations in California, near Visalia, Fresno, Clovis, Oakhurst, Mariposa, Merced, Modesto, and Sonora. Applicants must be able to travel regularly throughout the Southern Sierra Nevada area, including all three National Forests referenced above. This position is a remote/work from home position and requires a reliable personal vehicle and internet access.

Compensation: The NFF offers competitive compensation and benefits and has recently implemented a new compensation program as part of our commitment to transparency. The salary range for this position will be in the $80,125 to $123,750 range. Please note that the indicated salary range describes the full range for an incumbent in this position. New staff generally start at the 35th percentile of the range percentile to ensure internal salary equity.

To Apply: Applicants must include both a cover letter and resume. Incomplete packages will not be considered. Position is open until June 21st. Please visit our careers site to apply online.

The National Forest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in this search. For more information about the National Forest Foundation, visit the website at: www.nationalforests.org 

Requirements:

Education and Qualifications: NFF expects the California Program Manager – Southern Sierra to possess the following educational and experiential qualifications:

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree, in conservation, forestry, planning, landscape design, recreation planning, environmental science or related field.
• At least five years of work experience with restoration or conservation programs, project planning, and/or coordinating project implementation, preferably on federal lands.
• Experience supervising full-time, year-round staff to accomplish programmatic objectives.
• Involvement in project planning, coordination, accomplishment and budget tracking, and project operations management that involve multiple implementation partners, contractors, contracts for services, and funding sources.
• Experience with land and watershed science, policy, and management, including fire science, vegetation management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream restoration.
• Commitment to the mission of the NFF and familiarity with the U.S. Forest Service purpose and National Forest lands management.
• An understanding of California natural resource issues.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.
• You must be authorized to work in the United States.

Abilities and Skills: NFF expects the California Program Manager – Southern Sierra to possess the following abilities and skills:

• Ability to build trust and maintain professional working relationships at the management level across a diversity of organizations.
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate about forest restoration treatment types and systems, including restoration prescriptions, on-the-ground operations, treatment specifications, guidelines, and desired conditions for a diversity of forest and watershed ecosystem projects.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions, and to always maintain a high level of professionalism and neutrality.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule, including participation in weekend and evening events.
• Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to represent the NFF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and basic cartography and map design.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License.

Apply Here
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