Manager, Northern California Reforestation

ABOUT US 

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.  

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible (DEIA) workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The California Region Office implements American Forests’ vision throughout California, leading through collaborative partnerships and climate-smart reforestation projects. With wildfires and climate change threatening California’s forested lands, we aim to restore these landscapes by concentrating our work for the benefit of people, water, wildlife and climate.  

The Manager will work closely with the Senior Manager, Northern California Reforestation to support project work and partnerships; assist with program and project development; work closely with agency partners to plan treatments; write and manage contracts; and oversee completion of on-the-ground work and field logistics including front-line supervision of field support staff in their duties.  

This position is a great opportunity to build or advance your career in forestry and natural resources, directly implement post-fire recovery efforts, and gain and develop highly in-demand skills including program and project development, reforestation project planning, and collaborative management. This position will have fieldwork responsibilities, which may include overtime hours, including weekends, and multi-day travel to project sites. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

Implementation and planning support (70%) 

• Provide leadership and direction to a two-person Cone Corps field crew; coordinate field scheduling and logistics to accomplish goals in consultation with the Senior Manager.
• Under the guidance of the Senior Manager, work closely with USFS staff on project planning and implementation, including outyear projects.
• Use GIS to prepare project maps and track treatment progress.
• Oversee contracts and lead quality control for forestry treatments, including planting and mechanical and chemical vegetation control.
• Lead field operations for cone surveying, monitoring, and collection
• Attend trainings, participate in research, and stay up to date with new developments in the fields of reforestation, seed collection, and forest restoration.
• Coordinate and communicate professionally with a variety of stakeholders.

Project Administration (15%)  

• Support the Senior Manager with budget management, invoicing, and required funder reports.
• Work with the Senior Manager to ensure all deliverables are fulfilled according to project timelines.
• Assist in developing programmatic budgets, grant applications, and new agreements.
• Participate in regular team-, state-, and department-wide meetings.

Volunteer Coordination (10%) 

• Lead the King Fire community science program: volunteer training, coordination, and data analysis.
• Lead other volunteer programs and events (i.e., volunteer plantings).

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)  

• Assist in the delivery of American Forests’ Cone Camps in cooperation with lead staff.
• Contribute to/conduct public presentations and outreach at conferences and meetings.
• Support site visits and field tours as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities: 

• A California Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license or the ability to qualify for, take, and pass the RPF exam within 3 years
• Demonstrated experience planning and implementing forest management actions, including conducting fieldwork and implementing field-based projects.
• Experience in partnership and program development.
• Experience with GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis.
• Possess a current CA Qualified Applicator Certification/License or be willing to be sponsored in obtaining same within the first 6 months of employment.
• Possess a current Wilderness First Aid certification or be willing to be sponsored in obtaining same.
• Strong organization, project management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A valid driver’s license, as frequent travel to work sites is required.
• Experience planning and implementing forest management actions on federal lands.
• Reforestation project experience including site preparation, planting, and release.
• Experience working with and/or leading contractors and field crews.
• Ability to speak Spanish desired.

AMERICAN FORESTS’ CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Attitude: Brings a positive outlook to the work and helps inspire others to achieve excellence.
• Communication: Produces strong written documents, edits documents effectively, engages in effective verbal communication—1-on-1 and small group—and conducts effective large group presentations.
• Organization: Prioritizes tasks effectively, accomplishes tasks efficiently, follows through on all commitments, breaks down large projects to make them manageable, and effectively manages complex projects involving multiple actors.
• Problem-Solving & Creativity: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyzes data to produce insights, and generates wise, actionable recommendations. Understands the limited resources available and produces creative solutions.
• Representing the Organization: Serves as an effective ambassador, builds connections, and maintains relationships with outside partners, vendors and donors. Brings credibility to the organization in how they present themselves.

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS 

This is a hybrid position. The Manager will travel frequently to work sites in Northern California, and can work remotely as applicable. An additional 5% of travel to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington, D.C. or throughout the U.S. for key stakeholder meetings, events and projects may be required.  

Office work will be expected including, but not limited to, recordkeeping, contract administration, attending meetings, writing reports, and emailing. Work will also be conducted in the field where the Manager will be expected to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time. The work does require lifting materials which may weigh up to 40 lbs. The field setting includes, but is not limited to: 

• Varying terrain and dense vegetation (possible exposure to wildlife, ticks, poison oak, and mosquitos), hot, wet, and cold conditions
• Severely burned landscapes with standing dead trees and little/no shade coverage

Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.  

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date. 

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS 

This position will provide supervisory support for field crew personnel, who may be hired as an American Forests employee or on a contractual basis.