Senior 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 Senior Manager position will: 

• Lead all project work and partnerships within northern California
• Lead program and project development
• Oversee program and field logistics
• Foster partner relations
• Administer grants (including grant writing and reporting)
• Recruit and hire staff and field crew support under their supervision

This position will supervise the Manager, Northern California Reforestation, supporting them in completion of on-the-ground project work and other planning and implementation-related tasks.  

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 involve compensatory hours, including weekends, and multi-day travel to project sites. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

Project Management (65%)  

• Work with the CA Director to advance regional reforestation activities and related partnerships primarily on federal and private lands. Build and maintain relationships on behalf of American Forests with key agencies and regional stakeholders.
• Manage and support partnership aspects of reforestation activities for Northern California projects, including attendance at partner meetings, grants and agreement reporting, and budgeting.
• Advance new restoration activities as funding becomes available.
• Oversee implementation for reforestation-related activities for Northern California projects. This includes planning and unit layout; contract development, contractor selection, and administration; field implementation and quality control, including for planting and mechanical and chemical vegetation control; and monitoring.
• Oversee field data analysis to inform and make recommendations regarding adaptive management.
• Support the Manager in implementing American Forests’ King Fire community science program. Identify opportunities to expand the program geographically.
• Oversee field and safety logistics for Northern California program staff, as well as field crews and field support personnel. Ensure field staff have the requisite safety training and that field safety practices are aligned with organizational requirements.
• Coordinate with relevant CA office staff on common field protocol, templates, and best practices.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of trends, best practices, scientific research, and new developments in silviculture, reforestation, forestry, and natural resource management.

Supervisory Duties (15%) 

• Supervise one full-time, permanent employee, including timesheet and leave approvals, performance assessments, assistance with administrative processes, etc.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training for Cone Corps members in partnership with the CA Cone Corps Senior Manager and Corps program personnel.
• Provide in-field supervisory support for AF staff, field crews, and field support personnel.

Grant Management/Administration (15%)  

• Lead regular internal budgeting and administrative tasks, such as reforecasting and submitting payment requests. Lead grant and agreement administration including preparing invoice documentation, documenting match, and submitting modifications.
• Identify and lead new funding applications in adherence with internal funding SOPs.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)  

• Assist in the delivery of American Forests’ Cone Camps in cooperation with lead staff.
• Conduct public presentations at conferences and meetings.
• Conduct 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 2 years.
• Experience in forestry and related project management, specifically: planning and implementing forest management actions, including conducting fieldwork and implementing field-based projects.
• Experience in partnership and program development.
• At least one year of experience with GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis.
• Possess a current CA Qualified Applicator Certificate/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 

Due to fieldwork requirements, the Senior Manager must live within one hour of Placerville, CA. All non-field-related work will be completed remotely. This position may require up to 25% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C.  

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 Senior 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 supervise one full-time permanent American Forests staff and will collaborate with said staff member to provide support for field crew personnel hired on a contractual basis.