Project Manager - CA

Trust for Public Land•San Francisco or Monterey Bay areas, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

TPL’s work across Northern California’s coastal region delivers community-centered, nature-based climate resilience outcomes primarily through strategic land and easement acquisition, conservation policy and planning, and conservation finance. Our approach involves working closely with diverse partners across the region, with an emphasis on hope, respect, creativity, and mutual trust. The successful candidate will join a regional team dedicated to delivering TPL’s mission of conserving land for people by utilizing nonprofit land acquisition techniques and sound business practices. The Project Manager will manage multiple conservation projects and develop relationships with key stakeholders including local, state and federal agencies, Tribal and Indigenous communities, community groups and non-profits, and private landowners, to protect priority lands. The ability to work independently with a high level of organization and initiative is essential. Priorities for this position include working with TPL’s Regional Conservation Director to identify and advance land acquisition and water-and wildfire-focused projects that support TPL’s mission and program goals. The person in this role will also assist with regional conservation planning, collaborate with TPL’s government affairs and legal teams, and engage the public in this work. The preferred location for this position is in the San Francisco or Monterey Bay areas, with a hybrid/remote work arrangement possible. This position requires moderate travel, including field work involving moderate walking on steep, uneven terrain, in remote rural and natural lands, sometimes alone. Evening and weekend work is needed on occasion.

Requirements

Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization
Must maintain high levels of organization, time management, & performance
Minimum of 3-4 years of project-management experience required
Works with integrity - trustworthy and collaborative
Demonstrated ability to advance multiple and complex projects with moderate supervision
Self-motivated and directed; ability to work independently and in a collaborative team setting
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to thrive in a highly dynamic environment, adaptable, and flexible
Technologically savvy: proficient with Microsoft systems required

Nice To Haves

Three or more years experience preferred in land conservation, natural resources, real estate, or planning
knowledge of GIS preferred
Experience negotiating contracts or agreements preferred
Bachelor's degree preferred

Responsibilities

Works with the Regional Conservation Director to identify and pursue acquisition of key resource properties needed for protecting and restoring natural lands of critical local, regional, or national importance, and their conveyance to public agencies, Tribal communities or other permanent stewards.
Negotiates agreements with landowners, contractors, agencies, and community partners.
Manages all phases of the conservation real estate due diligence (title research, funding opportunities, appraisal contracts and other consultants)
Assume responsibility for specific elements of negotiating, documenting and closing conservation real estate transactions with the assistance of TPL legal and finance staff.
Manage and successfully advance a portfolio of projects.
Explores potential future projects by using GIS tools, developing positive relationships with a diversity of community members, and conducting outreach to landowners, nonprofit organizations, Tribal and Indigenous communities and public agency officials.
Develop relationships with community representatives, government agencies, city staff, non-profit partners, Tribal and Indigenous communities, and others to identify potential land acquisition projects, support and implement regional conservation planning efforts, and garner support for ongoing projects.
With the Regional Conservation Director, support a multi-year regional conservation planning process focused on identifying and pursuing critical conservation priorities relating to equitable access, ecological health, and climate resilience in the three-county Monterey Bay Region (Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties).
Develop and manage professional services agreements, internal mapping exercises and analyses, and other project management tasks associated with regional planning and community engagement.
Identify and pursue public grants for land acquisition, with support from grants specialists, including researching and tracking funding opportunities and processes.
In partnership with philanthropy team, support the Conservation Director’s efforts to identify and secure private donations and foundation grants.
Support building public awareness and understanding of TPL through outreach events, meetings, public meetings, and fundraising efforts.
Other duties as assigned.