POSITION TITLE: Forest Health Program Manager
DEPARMENT: Watershed Science
SUPERVISOR: Alecia Weisman, Watershed Science Director
JOB STATUS: Permanent, full-time hourly
LOCATION: Nevada City, CA
POSITION OVERVIEW:
SYRCL is seeking a Forest Health Program Manager who has experience planning and implementing forest restoration projects and facilitating both local and large-scale forest health collaboratives and partnerships. We are looking for someone with a passion for the environment, who takes initiative, and likes working as part of a team.
The Forest Health Program Manager will manage and oversee all components of SYRCL’s forest health work throughout the Yuba River watershed and provide strategic planning and direction for Program growth. The Forest Health Program aims to 1) improve forest health and forest resiliency throughout the watershed through restoration and robust collaboration, 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 through collaborative grant requests and alternative funding streams. Primary responsibilities of this position include general Program oversight and management, facilitating and supporting the North Yuba Forest Partnership (NYFP) and leading the NYFP Steering Committee, leading meetings and project planning for the Yuba Forest Network, and collaboratively planning and fundraising for forest health projects across the watershed. The Forest Health Program Manager will work to meet the above goals while also defining a larger Forest Health Program vision for SYRCL that aligns with regional and state priorities and goals.
The Forest Health Program Manager will provide leadership, strategic and science-based recommendations, direct supervision of one or more employees, proactive fundraising and grant writing, while overseeing forest health and watershed restoration projects and leading forest health collaboratives. This role requires a significant amount of stakeholder engagement, partnership management and collaborative leadership, knowledge of forest and wildfire ecology, fundraising experience, and contractor management
This position requires a professional who is highly organized, self-directed, and able to succeed in both independent and highly collaborative work environments. This is a full-time, hourly position and is primarily office based. Work will generally be scheduled for normal business hours (Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm) and evening and weekend work may be required with advanced notice.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Collaborative Management and Facilitation (45%):
- Steering Committee facilitation and general collaborative management for the North Yuba Forest Partnership (NYFP)
- Active involvement with NYFP committees dedicated to communications, monitoring, and implementation of forest health projects on the North Yuba
- Management of the Yuba Forest Network including development of field tours, newsletters, quarterly meetings, and Steering Committee facilitation
- Involvement with other regional forest health collaboratives including Nevada County’s Wildfire Stakeholder Group, Tahoe Central Sierra Initiative, the California Landscape Stewardship Network, and others
- Attending and engaging with statewide wildfire networks and initiatives including the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force
Forest Project Development and Oversight (30%):
- Management of Forest Health program staff (1 permanent + potential seasonal staff, and opportunity for Program staff capacity to grow in coming years)
- Planning and developing forest health projects in collaboration with regional partners
- Management of forest health and environmental contractors for a range of duties including project implementation, environmental review, data management, and resource surveying
- Tracking and managing Forest Health program goals, deliverables, growth, and needs according to awarded Program funds and SYRCL’s Five-Year Strategic Plan
Fundraising, Reporting, and Program Administration (20%):
- Lead proposal development including writing grants and agreements to secure funding for future projects.
- Administer and/or oversee government grants, including budget tracking, deliverables, amendments, and reporting.
- Review, contribute to, and approve detailed reports and invoices for grant compliance
- Targeted fundraising for Program’s North Yuba Watershed Condition Monitoring project
SYRCL Events and Community Outreach (5%):
- Attending and representing the Forest Health Program and SYRCL’s community-centered annual events including the Wild and Scenic Film Fest, Wild for the Yuba, Yuba River Cleanup, and others
- Tabling and presenting at community and regional events as needed as a representative of SYRCL and/or the North Yuba Forest Partnership
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in forest ecology, forestry, natural resources management, or a closely related field. Advanced degree preferred.
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in project management, program development, forest health and/or wildfire collaborative leadership, or related natural resources project oversight. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Knowledge of forest ecology and wildfire resilience concepts in the Sierra Nevada.
- General familiarity with wildfire and natural resources policy in the state of California
- Proven grant writing and project management experience including tracking awarded grants and invoices, completing and submitting required reporting, tracking deliverables, and managing grant timelines.
- Facilitation and/or collaborative management experience for cross-boundary groups
- Demonstrated experience in creative problem-solving, opportunity development, effectively leveraging talent across diverse teams, and developing novel approaches with high-impact outcomes.
- Ability to build consensus, develop effective coalitions and collaborate with diverse interests.
- Experience working with federal land agencies and projects and managing environmental contractors.
- Team player and ability to interact effectively and respectfully with people from different cultures and experiences and those who live in nearby communities.
- Self-directed, with supervisory, management, and/or mentorship experience and the ability to prioritize and coordinate workload, both independently and as part of a team.
- Proven ability to set goals, prioritize tasks, and manage complex projects.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain partnerships with agencies, landowners, and community members including people with a wide range of backgrounds and communication styles.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience with public speaking.
- Strong program management skills including experience developing and managing grant and program level budgets and prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Possession of a registered and insured personal vehicle, and a valid California Driver’s License.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field with completion of a field-based research project/thesis.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and experience with GIS and advanced data analysis programs such as R Studio or SPSS.
- Knowledge of Sierra Nevada fire ecology and forest management techniques and practices.
- Familiarity with California state policy for wildfire resilience and forest management.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental policies and regulations pertaining to resource management programs, including NEPA and CEQA environmental review.
- Familiarity with USFS grants, agreements, land management planning directives, and processes.
- Experience managing forestry operations contracts, including knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations, and working with mechanical timber operators and hand crews
- Operational fire experience in Federal or private sector.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk for extended periods; to read a computer screen; and manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.
- Able to speak clearly on the phone and in person and be understood by others.
- Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Field work and site visits are required and may involve walking over uneven terrain, up/down hills and steep canyons, or other similar physical activity while carrying a heavy load.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATION:
The compensation package includes an hourly pay rate range of $37 - $45 per hour, depending on experience, starting paid vacation of 14 days per year earned on an accrual basis, 10 paid holidays, 5 paid sick days, 100% employer paid health/dental/vision insurance, and 2% 401(k) retirement match (fully vested after 3 years).
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
This position is open until August 17, 2026.
SYRCL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
