ABOUT SYRCL\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL \u2013\u00a0pronounced circle) was founded in 1983 by grassroots activists determined to protect the South Yuba River from dams. Ultimately, SYRCL won permanent protections for 39 miles of the South Yuba River under California\u2019s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Today, SYRCL is the central hub of community activism to protect, restore, and celebrate the Yuba River watershed. With\u00a038\u00a0years of achievements, 3,500 members and volunteers, SYRCL is doing great things for the Yuba watershed.\u00a0SYRCL is a leader in the Sierra headwaters for addressing statewide and regional issues \u2013 challenging new dams, recovering endangered species, addressing climate change and drought, water security and water quality.\u00a0Together, we are extending our powerful coalition from the summit to the sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n
POSITION SUMMARY\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Forest Conservation Program Manager leads and envisions SYRCL\u2019s forest conservation work throughout the Yuba River watershed.\u00a0 SYRCL\u2019s forest health work accelerated beginning in 2019 and continues to grow considerably. The program aims to 1) improve forest health and forest resiliency throughout the watershed 2) engage diverse stakeholders throughout the Yuba River watershed to promote and implement forest health projects, 3) partner with local educational institutions for workforce development opportunities and 4) raise funds to continue collaborative planning efforts and on-the-ground project implementation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Forest Conservation Program Manager will work to meet the above goals as currently envisioned while also defining a larger forest conservation program for the organization.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is\u00a0a\u00a0full time, exempt position. Main work hours will be scheduled during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm) and evening and weekend work\u00a0may be\u00a0required.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
RESPONSIBILITIES\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Forest Conservation Program Manager will provide program vision and leadership, strategic and science-based recommendations, direct supervision of one or more employees, proactive fundraising and grant writing. This requires a significant amount of stakeholder engagement, project partner relationship management, knowledge in the fields of forest ecology or forestry, as well as managerial and fundraising experience and contractor management. The successful candidate will help set and advance SYRCL\u2019s forest conservation priorities including:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n- Continue to build\u00a0and oversee\u00a0a\u00a0sustainable and diverse\u00a0forest\u00a0conservation\u00a0program within SYRCL\u2019s\u00a0Watershed\u00a0Science department that works\u00a0towards\u00a0forest resiliency.\u00a0Lead and support\u00a0programmatic grant\u00a0writing,\u00a0necessary to\u00a0plan\u00a0and implement new projects.\u00a0Contract and grant management, including developing, negotiating, awarding, and administering requests for proposals, contracts, budgets, and reports.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Lead participation in the North Yuba Forest Partnership, a diverse group of nine organizations working to collaboratively plan and implement forest restoration across an unprecedented scale of 2750,000 acres of USFS managed land. Work closely with USFS and partners on project planning, financing, and steering.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Engage in project planning, including selection of treatment\u00a0types\u00a0(prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, hand thinning, non-commercial and pre-commercial thinning, etc.) and intensity. Work with internal and external project partners to identify and prioritize project treatments within existing project footprint(s) and identify new project areas within the Yuba Watershed to target forest conservation work. Incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge and support projects that promote inclusion and indigenous land management where possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Secure permits and approvals and ensure compliance with NEPA and CEQA. Supervise contractors, including planning surveyors, forestry consultants, and field crews.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Develop, support, and oversee implementation of ecological forest restoration\u00a0projects.\u00a0Seek\u00a0opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration within SYRCL,\u00a0leveraging\u00a0existing program areas.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
QUALIFICATIONS:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Bachelor\u2019s Degree in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, natural resources management, or a closely related field. Advanced degree\u00a0preferred.\u00a0A\u00a0minimum of\u00a0five\u00a0years\u00a0of relevant\u00a0experience.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Proven grant writing and project management experience including ensuring that awarded grants are tracked to make certain completion of deliverables, reporting,\u00a0billing\u00a0and invoicing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Demonstrated experience in creative problem-solving, opportunity development, effectively leveraging talent across diverse teams, and developing novel approaches with high-impact outcomes.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Ability to build consensus, develop effective coalitions and collaborate with diverse interests.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Team\u00a0player\u00a0and\u00a0the ability\u00a0to interact effectively and respectfully with people from different cultures and experiences and those who live in nearby communities.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Effective communication skills necessary to develop and maintain lasting partnerships with government, agency,\u00a0Tribal,\u00a0and community representatives, among others.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious, and\u00a0provides\u00a0follow-through on areas of responsibility.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Facilitation experience or training.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Proficient with GIS and mapping.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Familiarity with Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest ecology.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Positive, self-motivated, and quick learning performer highly valued.\u00a0 This position requires confidentiality, and a sense of humor is a must.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Possession of a registered and insured personal vehicle, and a valid California Driver\u2019s License.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:<\/strong><\/p>\nThis position requires frequent computer use, extended periods of time sitting at a desk, and occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds. Additionally, the ability to speak clearly and be understood by others is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.<\/p>\n
COMPENSATION:<\/strong><\/p>\nAnnual salary is $65,000-$80,000, depending on experience plus\u00a014 days\u00a0paid time off (PTO), 3 sick days, 401K plus employer match, and 10 paid holidays\u00a0annually.\u00a0The position requires occasional travel within California (generally to Sacramento) and occasional nights and weekend work.<\/p>\n