Forest Health Program Manager

South Yuba River Citizens League•Nevada City, CA

17d•$37 - $44•Onsite

About The Position

SYRCL is seeking a Forest Health Program Manager who has experience planning and implementing forest restoration projects and facilitating both local and large-scale forest health collaboratives and partnerships. We are looking for someone with a passion for the environment, who takes initiative, and likes working as part of a team. The Forest Health Program Manager will manage and oversee all components of SYRCL’s forest health work throughout the Yuba River watershed and provide strategic planning and direction for Program growth. The Forest Health Program aims to 1) improve forest health and forest resiliency throughout the watershed through restoration and robust collaboration, 2) engage diverse stakeholders throughout the Yuba River watershed to promote and implement forest health projects, 3) partner with local educational institutions for workforce development opportunities, and 4) raise funds through collaborative grant requests and alternative funding streams. Primary responsibilities of this position include general Program oversight and management, facilitating and supporting the North Yuba Forest Partnership (NYFP) and leading the NYFP Steering Committee, leading meetings and project planning for the Yuba Forest Network, and collaboratively planning and fundraising for forest health projects across the watershed. The Forest Health Program Manager will work to meet the above goals while also defining a larger Forest Health Program vision for SYRCL that aligns with regional and state priorities and goals. The Forest Health Program Manager will provide leadership, strategic and science-based recommendations, direct supervision of one or more employees, proactive fundraising and grant writing, while overseeing forest health and watershed restoration projects and leading forest health collaboratives. This role requires a significant amount of stakeholder engagement, partnership management and collaborative leadership, knowledge of forest and wildfire ecology, fundraising experience, and contractor management This position requires a professional who is highly organized, self-directed, and able to succeed in both independent and highly collaborative work environments. This is a full-time, hourly position and is primarily office based. Work will generally be scheduled for normal business hours (Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm) and evening and weekend work may be required with advanced notice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in forest ecology, forestry, natural resources management, or a closely related field. Advanced degree preferred.
A minimum of five years of professional experience in project management, program development, forest health and/or wildfire collaborative leadership, or related natural resources project oversight. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Knowledge of forest ecology and wildfire resilience concepts in the Sierra Nevada.
General familiarity with wildfire and natural resources policy in the state of California
Proven grant writing and project management experience including tracking awarded grants and invoices, completing and submitting required reporting, tracking deliverables, and managing grant timelines.
Facilitation and/or collaborative management experience for cross-boundary groups
Demonstrated experience in creative problem-solving, opportunity development, effectively leveraging talent across diverse teams, and developing novel approaches with high-impact outcomes.
Ability to build consensus, develop effective coalitions and collaborate with diverse interests.
Experience working with federal land agencies and projects and managing environmental contractors.
Team player and ability to interact effectively and respectfully with people from different cultures and experiences and those who live in nearby communities.
Self-directed, with supervisory, management, and/or mentorship experience and the ability to prioritize and coordinate workload, both independently and as part of a team.
Proven ability to set goals, prioritize tasks, and manage complex projects.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain partnerships with agencies, landowners, and community members including people with a wide range of backgrounds and communication styles.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience with public speaking.
Strong program management skills including experience developing and managing grant and program level budgets and prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously.
Possession of a registered and insured personal vehicle, and a valid California Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant field with completion of a field-based research project/thesis.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and experience with GIS and advanced data analysis programs such as R Studio or SPSS.
Knowledge of Sierra Nevada fire ecology and forest management techniques and practices.
Familiarity with California state policy for wildfire resilience and forest management.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental policies and regulations pertaining to resource management programs, including NEPA and CEQA environmental review.
Familiarity with USFS grants, agreements, land management planning directives, and processes.
Experience managing forestry operations contracts, including knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations, and working with mechanical timber operators and hand crews
Operational fire experience in Federal or private sector.

Responsibilities

Steering Committee facilitation and general collaborative management for the North Yuba Forest Partnership (NYFP)
Active involvement with NYFP committees dedicated to communications, monitoring, and implementation of forest health projects on the North Yuba
Management of the Yuba Forest Network including development of field tours, newsletters, quarterly meetings, and Steering Committee facilitation
Involvement with other regional forest health collaboratives including Nevada County’s Wildfire Stakeholder Group, Tahoe Central Sierra Initiative, the California Landscape Stewardship Network, and others
Attending and engaging with statewide wildfire networks and initiatives including the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force
Management of Forest Health program staff (1 permanent + potential seasonal staff, and opportunity for Program staff capacity to grow in coming years)
Planning and developing forest health projects in collaboration with regional partners
Management of forest health and environmental contractors for a range of duties including project implementation, environmental review, data management, and resource surveying
Tracking and managing Forest Health program goals, deliverables, growth, and needs according to awarded Program funds and SYRCL’s Five-Year Strategic Plan
Lead proposal development including writing grants and agreements to secure funding for future projects.
Administer and/or oversee government grants, including budget tracking, deliverables, amendments, and reporting.
Review, contribute to, and approve detailed reports and invoices for grant compliance
Targeted fundraising for Program’s North Yuba Watershed Condition Monitoring project
Attending and representing the Forest Health Program and SYRCL’s community-centered annual events including the Wild and Scenic Film Fest, Wild for the Yuba, Yuba River Cleanup, and others
Tabling and presenting at community and regional events as needed as a representative of SYRCL and/or the North Yuba Forest Partnership