Senior Parks Program Manager

For over 100 years, Save the Redwoods League has been dedicated to protecting the ancient redwood forests so all generations can experience the inspiration and majesty of redwoods. Since its founding in 1918, Save the Redwoods League has protected more than 200,000 acres of forests and helped create 66 redwood parks and preserves for everybody to enjoy.

To learn more about us, go to our website. 

Overview:

The Senior Manager is responsible for the selection, planning, design, funding, and construction of complex multi-million-dollar capital projects in redwood parks and League properties, managing all aspects both internally through coordination with League staff and externally with California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and other public lands agency partners, Tribal partners, and technical consultants.

We provide excellent benefits including paid vacation, sick time, medical, dental, transit benefits, life insurance and a generous 401K!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages the Parks Program; collaborates with the Director of Parks and Public Engagement on program strategy development; cultivates and oversees a pipeline of recreational infrastructure projects; leads joint project selection with DPR; budget planning and tracking; funding solicitation; contract management; and stakeholder relationship development
• Manages capital projects; planning, landscape and architectural design, cost estimation, environmental compliance, permitting, partner engagement, construction, and post-project evaluation and monitoring; works closely and collaboratively with Outreach Program Manager and Interpretation & Education Manager to integrate these elements into projects
• Leads planning for new public access on select League properties, including market analyses, needs assessments, partnership development, and contractor management; supports development and implementation of internal systems, policies, and protocols to safely and effectively open select League properties to the public, including the communications plan, visitor reservation system, commercial and event permits program, stakeholder engagement, partnership management, and property maintenance
• Oversees visitation on League properties; supervises staff who directly responds to public inquiries, issues permits; manages Tribal and partner access; coordinates maintenance and stewardship; analyzes and reports on trends and resolves public access issues internally and externally as needed
• Collaborates with technical experts in community outreach, interpretation, land protection, science, restoration, stewardship, marketing and communications, government relations and development to ensure strategic alignment, fundability, and organizational prioritization, including facilitation of core team meetings and decision-making processes
• Serves as primary League program staff liaison to California Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR); manages complex partner relationships at headquarters, districts, and individual park unit levels
• Meets regularly and communicates with the head of the State Parks Partnership Office and park unit representatives and project staff; leads development and implementation of formal partnership agreements between the League and DPR regarding collaboration on redwood state park projects and programs and DPR policies and protocols
• Develops and executes strategies to build and maintain strong relationships with a broad portfolio of national, state, and local park agencies, and Tribal, Indigenous and community partners to enhance engagement in park partnership projects and advance the program goals
• Researches, tracks, and analyzes outdoor recreation industry trends and proactively seeks out best practices and opportunities for continuous improvement in designing and delivering inspiring park experiences

Qualifications:

• Commitment to Save the Redwoods League’s mission; passion for forest conservation, parks, outdoor recreation, land management, and natural and cultural resource preservation
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field required; a post-graduate education preferred
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in outdoor recreation or in a park or similar setting
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing programs related to one or more of the following: visitor access management or public use planning, capital project management, particularly design and/or construction of recreational amenities, and infrastructure or public-private partnerships
• Project management experience in a land conservation preferred, including surveying; environmental compliance; government and non-government contracting and grant making; government and legislative relations
• Skilled in managing large complex project teams to plan, design, and construct facilities and restoration projects; successful at facilitating collaboration and coordination of teams of multi-disciplinary experts, contractors, vendors, federal and state agencies, community organizations and members, Tribes and/or Indigenous communities
• Strong Park agency knowledge; familiarity with DPR, local and/or federal park and public lands agency organizational structures, project management approaches, and regulatory and policy frameworks
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal policies, laws, programs and permitting that affect land conservation efforts; redwood region ecosystems; public access; project permitting requirements; and ecological and parks management principles
• Supervisory experience; ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of the team
• Familiarity with redwood and giant sequoia region ecosystems is desirable
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion as well as cultural competency and ability to communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities
• Strong technical computer, research, writing and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple, complex projects and budgets with competing priorities and deadlines

Working Conditions:                

• Frequent travel within California including overnight trips (travel can range from 1-2 times a month); some weekend and evening responsibilities
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to hike through forestland while working off-site, including walking on uneven ground, climbing over obstacles, and accessing remote locations
• Occasionally lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 30 pounds

To Be Considered:

Please click "Apply" below to email your resume, a cover letter addressing why you are a great fit for this role, and your salary expectations, with the subject heading "Senior Parks Program Manager.” 

NO CALLS PLEASE... we are busy protecting redwoods. THANK YOU!

Save the Redwoods League is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an environment of equity and inclusion. Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority; people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures are encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and initiatives.

Fluent English speakers who are bi-or multi-lingual, including Indigenous language speakers, are encouraged to apply.