Palisades Fire Post-Event Project Planner

POSITION OVERVIEW

In January 2025, the Palisades Fire swept through Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park, burning significant portions of both and destroying a significant number of the parks’ historic buildings and infrastructure. State Parks, with its partners, volunteers and members of the public, is undertaking a post-event reassessment planning effort while clean-up and resource assessment continues. 

This Parks California position will serve as a Senior Project Planner, working alongside State Parks to coordinate the visioning and planning efforts for Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park and the surrounding area. The role is responsible for advancing an integrative planning process and stakeholder engagement that support the stewardship of natural and cultural resources. The Senior Project Planner will integrate climate science, State Parks policy and community insights to prepare these parks for long-term resilience. The planner will collaborate with the Angeles District team, the Strategic Planning Division, State Parks headquarters staff, consultants and other partners to develop practical, lasting solutions.

The Senior Project Planner position is a full-time position and will work through a matrixed management framework under the general direction of Parks California and the Angeles District Superintendent. The position is remote within Ventura, Los Angeles or Orange counties with expectations for regular travel to various field office locations within the Angeles District or Department. The position is funded for a period of two years, with the potential for future extension.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Project Management and Coordination: 

• Provide project management and coordination for the development of State Park’s post-fire reassessment and recovery planning documents for Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.
• Guide priorities for direction of funds, contracts and agreements associated with park and resources planning for the two state parks.
• Manage and inform the work of consultants assigned to projects or project tasks in the preparation of park planning or compliance documents.
• Coordinate with cross-functional state parks staff to collaboratively develop materials for draft park planning documents, including narratives, maps and other written or visual materials.
• Provide contracting and management for field crews, educational and nonprofit partners to support wildfire recovery in Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Relations

• Work in coordination and collaboration with partner NGOs and stakeholders, including organizing and facilitating meetings, forums, site visits, including public meetings with consultants and State Parks.
• Manage and help coordinate information content and public communications across multiple media platforms with partners, district and department staff, consultants and contractors.
• Assist park staff to plan, schedule and provide site tours.
• Synthesize and integrate public input into planning processes.

Historic Preservation and Natural/Cultural Resources

• In coordination with State Park’s Strategic Planning and Recreation Services Division and Angeles District staff, coordinate a planning process focused on the restoration and protection the parks’ natural and cultural resources, appropriate historic preservation treatment options and the advancement of climate resilience. Ensure alignment with other regional plans already in place.
• Coordinate with historical resource specialists (historians, architects, engineers) and park operations staff to develop appropriate preservation treatments (restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction and commemoration) and uses to be implemented for extant and damaged historic properties.
• Ensure that preservation and protection practices for archaeological and tribal cultural resources are integrated into planning and implementation efforts.
• Coordinate development of compliance documents and permit applications.
• Support development of landscape-level strategies that support partnership coordination and collaboration, strategic planning for climate adaptation, long-term restoration, wildfire resilience/vegetation management and stewardship across the Santa Monica Mountains region.

Support development of a climate change adaptation strategy to inform other planning efforts, management objectives and actions, operations and development.

Desired Experience and Competencies

• Robust project management skills, including managing federal, state and local contracts.
• Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional, multi-benefit planning projects with demonstrated ability to manage consultants, track deliverables and maintain budgets. Post-disaster or fire recovery experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research, input and principles into content that is relevant for the general public and experience making the case for park recovery and resilience strategies.
• Advanced partnership and facilitation skills demonstrated by an ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical partners and build consensus across a diverse set of stakeholders toward collective decision-making.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate climate science in an accessible manner and effectively engage, interact and collaborate with audiences of all levels (partners, teams, advisory boards, governing bodies, general public, etc.)
• Working knowledge of public lands, natural and cultural resources management, park planning and permitting. Demonstrated experience navigating related regulatory and state/federal processes.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work concurrently with multiple partners and manage deadlines independently.
• The ability to analyze situations accurately, take effective action and develop clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Familiarity with the Santa Monica Mountains landscape and/or the specific communities within Palisades Fire recovery context.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, virtual communication and project management tools.

Other Qualifications:

• B.A./B.S. with focus in environmental planning, resource management, environmental science, urban or regional planning, historic preservation, public administration, landscape architecture or a closely related field.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in coordinating multi-benefit, multi-stakeholder project planning and project management in public lands and/or urban environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people.
• Must have a valid California driver’s license.
• A passion for California State Parks and coastal Mediterranean ecosystems, a sense of ownership and accountability and a commitment to the California State Parks’ strategic values and principles.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: This role reports to the Parks California vice president of programs and will work cross-functionally with the Angeles District Superintendent and multidisciplinary project team.

OFFICE LOCATION: We are a remote-first organization, which allows us to work from anywhere in California virtually, including in some of the most beautiful natural spaces across the state. The person who fills this role must reside in Ventura, Los Angeles or Orange counties of California. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.      

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS: The successful candidate must be able to travel to various field office locations within the Angeles District approximately 20% of the year. Approved expenses will be covered.   

BENEFITS:   

Comprehensive benefits package including:

• 401K plan with employer match up to 5% and no waiting period
• $150 per month reimbursement for home Internet and mobile phone service
• 20 days paid vacation, increasing to 23 days after 2 years
• 80 hours sick time
• 13 paid holidays
• Flexible, family-friendly schedule
• Medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, group and voluntary life insurance, EAP

Training and development resources 

California State Parks Annual Park Pass