Project Manager / Senior Project Manager

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America’s public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable young adult crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Title: Project Manager / Senior Project Manager

Department/Division: ACE Pacific West (PW) 

Location: Palm Springs/Coachella Valley, CA                   

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Associate Director of Operations

Hours: Full-time. Flexible schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed

Travel: Yes, this position requires regional travel (up to 40%) alongside office and warehouse work (60%). Travel includes field work and overnight stays in a variety of conditions and accommodations including camping.

Start Date: TBD

Position Summary:  

The Project Manager/Senior Project Manager (On-Site) (PM/SPM) serves in a leadership role within the ACE Pacific West (PW) Operations Team and is responsible for the management of complex conservation projects throughout the Pacific West region, primarily in the state of California. Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Operations, the PM/SPM provides leadership and direction for the Coachella Valley branch of PW. The PM/SPM has three major areas of responsibility: General oversight and responsibility for operations management in the Coachella Valley branch location, including supervision and oversight of Crew Leaders and other support staff. Skills training for members and operations staff, particularly focused on field conservation skills. Project development in one or more particular areas of expertise. The PM/SPM serves as the primary manager in the Coachella Valley branch location supervising a small staff team and AmeriCorps members while collaborating with other division staff and outside partners. The role has direct responsibility for deliverables, timelines, and budget development and oversight of projects related to their branch location. The PM/SPM will also support division development efforts that help forward strategic objectives and outcomes embodying and advancing ACE’s core values of quality, inclusion, professional development, stewardship, and partner immersion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• General oversight and responsibility for operations management.
• Supervise staff as assigned, primarily on projects served from the PM/SPM’s home base location. Adjust level of support for crews/Crew Leaders depending on the complexity of each project.
• Provide general mentorship, training, leadership, discipline, and other support for location staff.
• Work with members and Crew Leaders to resolve interpersonal conflict.
• Develop and enforce field safety processes and standards that meet industry norms and all applicable regulations.
• Conduct staff check-ins and performance reviews. Outline skills/leadership development goals for staff.
• Ensure reporting is completed on time, is accurate, and is to a high standard.
• Act as a Crew Leader or fill in for other staff members in the event of illness, vacation, or other absence.

Skills Training for Members and Operations Staff

• Serve as the PW Division trainer and technical lead conservation skills (forestry/chainsaw, trails, restoration/herbicide, etc.)
• Collaborate with ACE Solutions and other extra-divisional staff to develop skills, obtain certifications, plan and implement trainings, ensure PW Division meets ACE and other standards, and otherwise develop support for Coachella Valley base location.
• Outline skills and leadership development goals for staff and members.
• Collaborate with staff to conduct new member orientations and trainings.
• Develop and implement a robust PW Crew Leader training and onboarding program in collaboration with other ACE staff.

Project Development in One or More Areas of Expertise

• Provide leadership and support as needed for projects based out of the Coachella Valley base location including (forestry/chainsaw, trails, and/or restoration/herbicide).
• Work with the Associate Director of Operations and Division Director to develop aspects of the PW budget relevant to the Coachella Valley base location.
• In collaboration with the Division Director and Associate Director of Operations, serve as the point of contact for project partners while working to develop the scopes of work, budgets, itineraries, and other project planning details and documents needed to successfully solicit, bid, prepare for, complete, and report on a conservation field projects.
• Reply to RFPs and other solicitations as needed.
• Conduct field site visits and partnership meetings.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Operations to schedule projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred but not required.
• 2-5 years of experience working in field conservation positions, with 2-4 years serving in a leadership role, preferably within a Conservation Corps.
• Current Wilderness First Aid or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire, (WFR preferred and in some cases may be required), CPR, and BBP certification.
• Possess and maintain skills and certifications in a wide variety of conservation/environmental operations, including advanced skills and certifications in the designated area of expertise.
• Extensive experience and demonstrable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in a wide variety of conservation field work including environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks.
• Ability to develop systems and processes to minimize risks and hazards and to prevent, analyze and resolve safety issues; possess knowledge of safety procedures as applied to field operations and experience in encouraging and enforcing compliance with safety policies.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Strong organizational and communication skills and experience leading, training and motivating multiple subordinates with competing priorities in a safe, organized and professional manner.
• Working knowledge of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including key responsibilities of Project Managers and Crew Leaders.
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to effective team dynamics and team performance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members, partner agency staff, and the general public.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic work environments and conditions that can change frequently, and handle concurrent operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be flexible and possess a high work ethic.
• Adhere to ACE safety policies and procedures.
• Foster an environment that is anti-bullying, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Other Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of hand and power tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently lifts up to 50 lbs., ability to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Compensation: This position has an annualized salary range $64,000 – $70,000, dependent on experience. 

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE’s 403b retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: Outdoor Perks – As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 – 50% off retail prices on 100’s of established outdoor gear brands.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.