Summary

This is a posting for one full-time Forest Health Program Manager for the Tuolumne River Trust (TRT) based out of TRT's Sonora office. This grant-funded position will include managing a team of project managers, budget control, coordinating fieldwork implementation, and leading field staff. The Forest Health Program Manager will lead the field-based operations of forest health projects on public lands throughout the Stanislaus National Forest and adjacent private lands.

Information

The Forest Health Program Manager will lead the implementation of TRT's forest restoration projects on the Stanislaus National Forest and adjacent private lands. The Program Manager will work directly with TRT's Forest Health Program Director to lead and shape a growing, dynamic team that supports the vision and mission of TRT through the installation of forest resilience and recovery projects. The Forest Health Program Manager will support implementing projects designed to increase the health and resilience of the Sierra Nevada forests and rural communities, protecting and advocating for the ecological, social, and economic values these forests provide. They will collaborate with TRT's education and advocacy staff frequently. The successful candidate will be deeply passionate about forest and watershed ecological restoration.

 The ideal candidate is an experienced manager of field-going staff with a background in natural resource management. Experience with working in a growing program and grant management is a plus, as is a demonstrated ability to be self-directed while working collaboratively with other staff members and partners. This position is currently funded through grants from state and federal agencies.

Equity at TRT

TRT is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity as core principles integral to our work. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we seek diverse perspectives and lived experiences that foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity. To read our DEIA Vision & Values statement, click here.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Forest Health Program Manager will lead TRT's forest restoration program through staff management & leadership and liaising with partners, the Stanislaus National Forest, and staff from Tuolumne County. They will ensure project management quality, coordinate training, procure equipment and supplies, review, approve, and classify hours per grant invoicing and reporting requirements, collaborate with the finance team, and co-create the annual budget with the Forest Health Program Director. The Program Manager will spend approximately 50% of their time supporting and administering project operations, including successful, timely, and under-budget execution of fuels management projects. Approximately 40% of the Program Manager's time will be devoted to departmental management and administration. 10% of their time will be spent collaborating with other departments and engaging in strategic planning with the Forest Health Program Director.

Primary Duties Include:

Project Planning and Coordination

• Manage implementation of forest ecological restoration projects, including non-commercial thinning, reforestation, and prescribed fire to meet ecological and budget goals within project timelines
• Lead the monitoring of project progress and quality control
• Prepare and coordinate project plans and scopes of work
• Contract Administration
• Coordinate contracts and work orders with external partners
• Oversee the review and approval of contractor bids, schedules, work plans, and budgets for accuracy, feasibility, and alignment with project goals

Program Management

• Oversee a growing program, currently composed of 16 staff with a variety of roles and responsibilities (fuels reduction, botanical & archaeological survey)
• Hire staff to meet program needs
• Ensure quality of expenses, time cards, and mileage per grantor and invoicing guidelines
• Coordinate program utilization and organization within TRT's technology stack (Asana, Slack, Rippling, Sage)
• Deliver complete and timely reports and  deliverables to grantors
• Onboard new staff
• Supervise employees at many levels of experience
• Manage the performance of direct reports in the field and office
• Approve time cards of direct reports and coordinate monthly invoicing
• Develop forest health projects, including reforestation and fuels reduction
• Coordinate staff training and professional development
• Procure and manage equipment, vehicles, supplies, and office space
• Work closely with agency partners (Tuolumne County, Forest Service, CALFIRE) towards timely completion of project deliverables

Collaboration

• Support the Program Director in achieving the strategic goals of the Forest Health Program
• Support and actively contribute to internal collaboration and communications with other TRT programs and departments to ensure the organization's strength and health
• In close coordination with TRT's Development staff, communicate results in various media, from TRT newsletters to social media to professional conferences and publications

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a background and track record that includes:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in business, management, business administration, forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, natural resources management, or a closely- related field AND a minimum of three years of relevant experience leading and executing field-based operations
• Knowledge of forestry, vegetation management, wildfire behavior, watershed stewardship and conservation, resource management, basic hydrology, basic soil science, native plant and animal communities, and/or forest ecology.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed pre-defined project objectives and grant-related obligations
• Strong computer skills, including:
  Microsoft Word and Excel.
  ArcGIS (ArcPro and ArcGIS Online)
  Familiarity with Mobile GIS Applications such as FieldMaps, Survey123, & Avenza
  Meeting, productivity, and conferencing technologies
  Experience with grant submission and reporting portals
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated commitment to principles fostering teamwork and collaborative success
• Ability to communicate effectively with partner organizations, staff, volunteers, and community members with diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Location & Travel

This position will be primarily office-based (90%). The Forest Health Program Manager can expect field work to occur on various terrain, including steep, uneven ground, vegetated with thick brush, poison oak, and other challenging field conditions. In addition, project locations are typically within 1-3 hours of the Sonora office. TRT has multiple offroad capable work vehicles available to staff; however, the Program Manager may be required to provide their own transportation due to resource constraints. They will be compensated for travel according to the current IRS rate. The employees' private vehicle may sometimes be necessary over roads in various conditions, from paved to rough national forest roads. Proof of a valid US driver's license and insurance will be requested at the time of employment.

Additional Details

The Tuolumne River Trust is staffed by committed people who want to see the Tuolumne River and its surrounding communities thrive. This is a great opportunity to join a fun, energetic team that continues to build on a more than forty-year history. TRT is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse staff of qualified, highly skilled, and creative individuals is necessary to achieve our vision and mission. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our workforce across a range of dimensions.

TRT Sponsored Benefits:

This position will be in our Sonora, CA office and report to the Forest Health Program Director. This full-time, exempt, grant-funded position will pay $70,000-$85,000 annually, including benefits. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be at or near the lower end of the compensation range. A candidate will land higher on the range according to the degree to which they exceed the minimum qualifications.

TRT provides an excellent benefits package, including:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Retirement plan with a 3% employer match
• After a probationary period, 2 weeks paid vacation per year with an additional week each year of employment to a maximum of 4 weeks per year.
• 17 paid holidays
• 12 days of paid sick leave per year
• Long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid $10,000 life insurance policy
• 3 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for employees with at least two years of employment

 

Tuolumne River Trust Background

The Tuolumne River Trust promotes the stewardship of the Tuolumne River and its tributaries to ensure a healthy watershed, from Yosemite National Park through the San Joaquin Valley and to the San Francisco Bay Delta. Founded in 1981, the Trust is the only organization working throughout the watershed, linking Sierra and Valley conservation issues, and forging strong ties between rural mountain and valley regions and urban Bay Area communities. The Trust has 35 employees working out of offices in Modesto and Sonora and remotely throughout the Bay Area.

 TRT programs include: a) improving water management and seeking change to relevant Federal, State, and Local laws and policies to support ecological restoration and recreation goals while also supporting healthy communities; b) restoration of floodplains, forests, meadows, and other habitats in and along the Tuolumne and other nearby streams; and c) building public support for watershed stewardship by connecting the public to the River through education and outreach.

 By linking mountain, valley, and Bay Area conservation issues, and connecting people to the river through outings and education, the Trust is building broad support for watershed stewardship. Our strategic approach melds advocacy, education, collaboration, scientific inquiry, and litigation when necessary to address threats and take advantage of conservation and restoration opportunities. For more information about the Tuolumne River Trust, visit: www.tuolumne.org.