Forest Health Project Manager (I or II)

Summary

This is a posting for one full-time, non-exempt Forest Health Project Manager I or II for the Tuolumne River Trust, functioning out of TRT's Sonora office. This position is grant-funded through State and Federal grants, and is for a term of 2.5 years, ending in December 2027. Should additional funding be secured, this position may be extended or converted to a non-term position. This position will include project management, budget control, coordinating the implementation of fieldwork, and inspections. At the Project Manager II level, leadership and management of personnel and project development will also be assigned. The Forest Health Project Manager will lead the implementation of Forest Health projects across the landscape, focusing on public and private lands management on or near the Stanislaus National Forest. The Project Manager will be subject to a hybrid work schedule requiring one day in the office each week. In addition, the position will be subject to a 4/10 schedule during the peak season (roughly March – October) and a 5/8 schedule during the off-season.

Information

The Forest Health Project Manager will lead the implementation of the Tuolumne River Trust's (TRT) Forest Health Program on the Stanislaus National Forest and adjacent private lands. The Project Manager will play a central program role by working closely with TRT's Forest Health Program Manager and Project Managers to manage grants, supervise contractors, supervise Forest Operations Specialists, and implement/develop projects. This individual will possess an understanding of sustainable forestry practices, national forest management policies, and a passion for ecological forest and watershed restoration. The Forest Health Project Manager will help implement projects designed to increase the health and resilience of the Sierra Nevada forests, protecting and advocating for the ecological, social, and economic values that these forests provide. The candidate will collaborate with TRT's education and advocacy staff frequently. 

The ideal Project Manager II candidate is an experienced forest/fire ecologist, forester, or related natural resource conservation project manager with a background in forest health and fire resiliency and a solid history of relevant project implementation and management. In addition, they should have several years of experience leading/managing field crews. They must have working knowledge of forest ecology and related resource concerns, ideally with experience relevant to Sierra Nevada forests and plant communities. Experience with project management, project layout, overseeing project implementation, conservation planning, and managing contracts and subcontractors is essential, as is a demonstrated ability to be self-directed while working collaboratively with other staff members and partners. Finally, an ideal candidate will have experience managing direct reports.

The ideal Project Manager I candidate is an experienced project coordinator or entry-level project manager with a background in forest health and fire resiliency and a solid history of relevant project implementation and management. In addition, they should have experience leading/managing field crews. They must have working knowledge of forest ecology and related resource concerns, ideally with experience relevant to Sierra Nevada forests and plant communities. A demonstrated ability to be self-directed while working collaboratively with other staff members and partners is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Forest Health Project Manager will advance TRT's Forest Health program through project implementation, liaising with private contractors, the Stanislaus National Forest, and staff from Tuolumne County. They will implement contracts, project design and layout, marking boundaries, and project monitoring. At the Project Manager II level will be tasked with specific responsibilities, such as coordinating schedules, performance management, check-ins, hiring, project development, and planning.

The Forest Health Project Manager will spend significant time on project operations, implementing fuels management activities to ensure targets are achieved, objectives are met, and mitigation measures are adequate. They will monitor fuels treatments, evaluate effects, identify potential problems, and take action to solve them. This work will include designing and implementing fuels management surveys, evaluating treatments and effectiveness, and serving as the point of contact for contracted crews. The Forest Health Project Manager will participate in planning and coordinating, including reviewing and implementing land management plans, instructing field staff, writing and reviewing contracts, and tracking projects. The Project Manager II will be responsible for other tasks as assigned, such as managing Forest Operations Specialists, project development and planning, etc.

Primary duties include:

  • Candidates should have an interest in and commitment to environmental conservation

  • Managing contractors, including:

    • Contractor selection for roadside fuel breaks, understory fuels reduction, timber harvest, weed control, reforestation, and other project work, including developing Requests for Proposals and reviewing submitted proposals

    • Establish pre-project flagging to mark work site boundaries, riparian buffers, etc.

    • Schedule and oversee contractor work, including:

      • Site visits

      • Contractor coordination to protect wildlife and cultural resources awareness

      • Daily or weekly site visits to ensure adherence to project scope and required mitigations

  • Complete project documentation and monitoring, including:

    • Quarterly or semi-annual grant progress reports to project funders

    • Project photo-monitoring, including establishment and documentation of photo points

    • Documentation of invasive plant occurrences, treated area extents, and other field data using mobile phone/tablet-based GIS software

  • Fieldwork including (but not limited to)

    • Weekly site visits to fuels treatments

    • Project design, layout, and oversight

    • Timber Stand Exams and Common Stand Exams

    • Stake and Survival Exams

    • Managing and leading field staff

    • Participation in annual reforestation project cycle

  • The Forest Health Project Manager II will be asked to:

    • Assist in grant writing efforts necessary to solicit funding for new projects

    • Supervise Forest Operations Specialists, including (but not limited to):

      • Conducting check-ins

      • Managing performance

      • Delivering training materials

    • Develop and plan projects, including expanding TRT's Scope of Services

  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

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

 Project Manager II

  • Bachelor's Degree in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, natural resources management, or a closely related field AND

    • A minimum of four years of relevant forest project management experience

  • Three years of supervisory experience managing field crews as their direct reports

Project Manager I

  • Bachelor's Degree in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, natural resources management, or a closely related field AND

    • A minimum of 2 years of relevant forest project management experience

Both positions

  • 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

  • Project goal-oriented with initiative in fulfilling programmatic and grant-related obligations.

  • Understanding of forest mensuration, inventory, and treatment design

  • Strong computer skills, including:

    • Microsoft Word and Excel

    • ArcGIS (ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123)

  • Strong oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public

  • Team player and ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures and experiences

  • Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Physically able to work in the field (hiking off-trail through heavy brush, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, etc.) during all seasons

  • Ability to work from a home office with a good internet connection when working remotely

  • Be fit and able to walk to forest project sites, and be able to lift at least 20 pounds

  • Must have a valid US driver's license to be eligible for employment and be able to secure a CA driver's license within the first week of employment at TRT

Travel

The Forest Health Project 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 Director 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 CA driver's license and auto insurance will be requested at the time of employment.  

Additional Details

Depending on seasonal variability, this position is expected to spend between 25% and 85% of their time in the field. This position will be based out of our Sonora office and, depending on title, report to a Project Manager II or the Forest Health Program Manager. This hourly, grant-funded position will pay $28.85 - 38.46 per hour and include benefits (see below). Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for Project Manager I will be at or near the lower end of the range. A candidate will land higher on the range according to the degree to which they exceed the minimum qualifications.

The Project Manager will be subject to a hybrid work schedule requiring one day in the office each week. In addition, the position will be subject to a 4/10 schedule during the peak season (roughly March – October) and a 5/8 schedule during the off-season.

Benefits:

  • 100% Employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage

  • 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer match

  • 17 paid holidays

  • 12 days of paid sick leave per year

  • 2 weeks paid vacation per year with an additional week each year of employment to a maximum of 4 weeks per year.

  • Long term disability coverage

  • Employer paid $10,000 life insurance policy

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • 3 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for employees with at least two years of employment

TRT is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse staff of qualified, highly-skilled, and creative individuals is necessary to achieve the vision and mission of the initiative. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our workforce across a range of dimensions. 

To Apply

Please send an email with cover letter and resume as pdf attachments with subject heading “Forest Health Project Manager I/II” to jobs@tuolumne.org. To be considered for the first round of applications, submit your materials by June 6th. We will continue to receive applications after this date. If a suitable candidate is not found in the first round of applications, we will pull from this pool of applicants.  Anticipated start date is mid-July.

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 to the San Joaquin River and 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 Bay Area urban communities.

The Tuolumne River Trust is located in the Sierra Nevada and has a core mission of protecting and restoring the Tuolumne River and its watershed for future and present generations. Not only does the Tuolumne River provide ample recreational opportunities such as whitewater rafting, but it also supplies the drinking water for 2.6 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area, hydroelectric power for much of Northern California, and irrigation for 200,000 acres of Central Valley farmland. This watershed was severely impacted by the 257,000- acre Rim Fire in 2013, and a subsequent widespread tree mortality epidemic. The Tuolumne River Trust has funding from agencies such as the Wildlife Conservation Board, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Cal FIRE to help restore watersheds and increase resiliency within the Sierra Nevada. A majority of our work is currently focused in the footprint of the 257,000 Rim Fire of 2013, but new projects continue to occur across the landscape. We work closely with the Stanislaus National Forest, volunteer groups, schools, and various community stakeholders to help ensure an engaged and collaborative approach to landscape restoration is undertaken.