Forestry Project Manager Jobs

JOB TITLE: Fire & Forestry Project Manager

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

JOB TYPE: Non-exempt

SUPERVISES: None

LOCATION: This position is based in Upper Lake, CA in Lake County. Substantial field work within Lake County and surrounding areas. Some remote work possible (up to 2 days/week potential).

SALARY: 100% FTE. Salary growth possible as the organization grows and with increased supervisorial responsibilities.Part-time work also possible for the right candidate.

BENEFITS: 401k, health insurance reimbursement, on the job training, holidays, paid time off, sick leave. Salary commensurate with experience: $55,000 - $70,000.

ORGANIZATIONAL VISION

The Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) is a cross-cultural, multi-organizational collaborative that works to revitalize ecology, economy, and culture through indigenous-led stewardship. The mission of TERA, founded in 2019, is to cultivate land stewardship, livelihood, and leadership skills that weave collaborative relationships between Tribal members and the community at large for the benefit of all lands and beings. Our program goals include:

• Build capacity for native voices to play a central role in land stewardship
• Regenerate local ecology of the North Coast Ranges, and improve resilience to fire
• Strengthen ties to land and culture
• Connect tribal members with meaningful livelihoods and culturally relevant work in their ancestral territories

TERA is a young organization in a dynamic growth phase, and building a team of professionals who are deeply committed to TERA’s vision. TERA is a fiscally sponsored project of the 501c3 nonprofit Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC), who provides administrative support for the project as fiscal sponsor.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Forestry Project Manager is an organized, detailed-oriented manager who thrives in carrying a project from inception to completion, has strong project management experience, and knowledge of California coast range ecology and stewardship. The Forestry Project Manager will work closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director (ED), Fuels Captain (FC), and partner organizations to set up TERA’s hand crew for success. The position is estimated to be approximately 80% administrative work in the office, and 20% field work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Management: 40%

• Work with ED and FC to orient crew to the job site and provide ongoing support throughout the completion of the project
• Support planning and implementation of prescribed and cultural burns - write burn plans, create maps, etc.
• Develop project monitoring protocols and implement with field staff as needed
• Understand and follow tribal consultation processes when working on tribal lands
• Attend site visits with ED and create written site / project assessments. Prepare proposals, timelines, estimates and contracts for client / landowner for various project types (primarily includes prescribed and cultural burns, fuels reduction, oak woodland restoration, riparian restoration, invasive plant removal, etc)
• Create materials (such as written summaries, spec sheets, drawings) for job sites as needed to communicate goals and methods to clients and TERA staff
• Manage budget and timeline to track progress for TERA field projects on public, private, and tribal land; work with ED and FC to course correct where needed to achieve project goals
• Develop field staff schedule based on balancing partner and organizational needs, and adapt schedule as needed; communicate the schedule and changes effectively to the team
• Prepare tools, materials, equipment and supplies lists for procurement by FC and crew, for specific jobs and general operations as needed
• Map progress on projects and provide project updates to partners as needed
• Work with ED and FC to develop management goals and methods for each TERA project in order to manage field work, ensure the delivery of high-quality project outcomes
• Provide on-the-job training and mentorship in the field as needed
• Maintain organization-wide rate sheets and enter budgets into Project Tracker for invoicing and grant management

1. CalFire Multi-Tribal Fire Prevention Project Management 30%

• Manage fuels reduction subcontractors for the grant
• Coordinate project partners to ensure timely, cost-effective completion of deliverables outlined in a Multi-Tribal Fire Prevention grant (over three years)
• Manage the CEQA process for 200 acres of fuels reduction work on tribal land

1. Grants / Fundraising: 15%

• Work on grant proposals, budgets, and project plans for fundraising efforts
• Support grant reporting and administration by interfacing with finance team, providing up to date budgetary information on projects and grants

1. Team Collaboration: 10%

• Attend weekly All Staff meetings, weekly crew meetings, etc.

5) Other duties as needed: 5%

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Vehicle and valid driver’s license
• Strong familiarity with CEQA and NEPA process, working experience preferred
• 2 years experience as Project Manager implementing fuels management and/or restoration projects
• 2 years of experience writing proposals (for clients, partners, funders)
• Able to work with diverse groups, build and maintain strong working relationships
• Able to develop and follow a prioritized plan of work, set and keep deadlines and work on multiple projects concurrently
• Proficient mapping skills - preferably GIS, also iNaturalist, Google Earth and/or CalTopo for coordinating community-based efforts
• 2 years of field work
• Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, natural resource management, forestry, or related field
• Strong communication skills with the ability to listen well, and write and speak effectively
• Proficiency and flexibility with office technology including PCs, smartphones, digital camera, conference calls (Zoom), Word, and Excel
• Able to contribute to a high-functioning, collaborative team environment
• Experience working with Tribal communities; willingness to learn about contemporary challenges, concerns, and interests of Lake County tribal community and ecology

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE A GOOD FIT BUT DON'T MEET ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT AND APPLY ANYHOW!