Education and Community Science Manager

CNPS is seeking a highly motivated individual with excellent people and program management skills to serve as the Education and Community Science Manager for our Education and Stewardship program. This is an opportunity to support a talented team in accomplishing the Education and Stewardship program’s mission to help people of all backgrounds form emotional and intellectual connections with California native plants and their habitats and empower meaningful actions to protect and restore biodiversity.  

The Education and Community Science Manager will perform and coordinate program management duties and provide support and direction to a team, including the Education Specialist – Youth and Community Programs, Education Specialist – College and Professional Programs, and the Community Science Coordinator, and serve as a key member of the Education & Stewardship team, which includes the Education and Community Science team (described above), the Stewardship team, and the program director. The Education and Community Science Manager, reporting directly to the Education and Stewardship Director, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of high-quality educational programs that engage individuals in learning about and forming deeper connections with native plants; and community science that meets the needs of communities and addresses gaps in biodiversity science. This position will be responsible for helping the organization to secure resources to enhance the impact and sustainability of our education and community science programming. 

What You’ll Do

Team Leadership and Management 

• Lead and manage a team of talented Education and Community Science staff and their day-to-day work, including ensuring alignment of staff time and efforts to organizational and programmatic goals and priorities and program budget.
• Provide active feedback to team members, support their professional development, and conduct meaningful annual performance reviews.

Project Leadership and Execution 

• Take the lead on keystone major projects within the program. This includes:
  • Planning and execution of the tri-annual CNPS Conference (next held February 2026), with direction from the Director of Education and Stewardship and support from staff.
  • Visioning and planning for a future CNPS Public Education Center to enhance the delivery of CNPS education programming.

Collaboration and Synergy 

• Collaborate with team members within the Education and Stewardship program and in other programs, identifying and implementing strategies for increasing connection and synergy.
• Strengthen collaboration between staff and volunteers to support successful chapter activities in education and community science.

Program Design and Implementation 

• Support the design and manage the implementation of CNPS programming and resources in education and community science, ensuring that programming aligns with CNPS Strategic Plan, organizational values, and priority Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) actions.

Funding and Strategic Partnerships 

• In partnership with the Development program, seeks and pursues funding for Education and Community Science projects.
• Support and manage relevant CNPS engagement in strategic partnerships and coalitions focused on native plant-related public education and engagement in community science.
• Secure resources to enhance the impact and sustainability of our education and community science programming.

Administrative and Strategic Planning 

• Contribute to annual programmatic action planning and budget development.
• Ensure Education and Community Science project objectives are accomplished within budget.

Who You Are

• At least six years of relevant professional experience leading and developing formal or informal education and/or community science programs.
• Solid understanding of best practices in education and interpretation.
• Two or more years of experience effectively developing and managing teams.
• Expert project management.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Highly effective at facilitating interpersonal communications.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy while managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Highly collaborative.
• Skillful written and verbal communication, and analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in using hybrid/remote and digital technologies, such as Microsoft Teams, online learning platforms, and project management platforms, or willingness to learn.
• Proven experience and/or a strong interest in crafting solutions that support and advance our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), reinforcing our organizational values and priorities.

 Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; however, relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis in lieu of a degree. Substitute experience is in addition to the professional experience required in the job posting.

Nice to Have 

While CNPS recognizes that not every individual will exhibit all these characteristics, the successful candidate will possess at least one – and ideally more than one – of the following: 

• Teaching credential and/or classroom teaching experience.
• Bilingualism (Fluency in more than one language commonly spoken in California).
• Knowledge of CNPS, familiarity with California native plants, plant communities, and conservation issues.
• Post-graduate degree in education or natural sciences.
• Experience in the design of scientific research.

Physical Requirements 

This job can require prolonged sitting and use of a computer and mouse. These requirements are representative, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  Additional Information  

• This is a hybrid, full-time, exempt position, based in Sacramento, CA.
• Work hours are typically Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM, with some flexibility.
• A valid California driver’s license is required.
• Periodic reimbursed travel to locations within California may be required.

What You’ll Get

• Annual starting salary between $90,160 – $97,160.
• 100% of employee premiums for health (Kaiser or Anthem), life, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 6% matching contributions, eligible immediately.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) / health savings account (HSA), dependent care account (DCA) and transportation savings account (TSA).
• Annual paid leave benefits include 13 holidays, 12 sick/wellness days, and 15 paid vacation days.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• A CNPS-issued laptop, $750 home office stipend, and $60/month telework stipend.
• Attendance at biannual staff team building events.
• Complimentary CNPS Society membership.
• “Superhero to the planet” status (for your contributions to conservation).

Equal Opportunity Policy 
CNPS’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. This policy demonstrates CNPS’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that values different perspectives and fosters belonging. To better understand the demographic profile of applicants, CNPS requests candidates to fill out the volunteer questionnaire that is part of the application form. Your responses will remain confidential, anonymized, and not shared with the hiring committee. About California Native Plant SocietyThe California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization (www.cnps.org) founded in 1965, with almost 13,000 members in 35 chapters across California and Baja California Mexico. The mission of CNPS is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through scientific study, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship.