Cities Forestry Project Manager

In collaboration with the Cities team, the Cities Urban Forestry Manager will lead, develop, manage, and implement urban forestry and related conservation projects, programs, plans, and strategies in the cities of Newark and Paterson with a focus on enhancing community resilience to climate change. They will develop and advance partnerships with diverse stakeholders - including neighborhood, municipal, state, and federal government entities, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia, and faith-based groups. Together with partners, they will deliver equitable nature-based solutions that reduce flooding and extreme heat in New Jersey cities. 

Working within the Climate Adaptation and Cities Team, the Cities Forestry Project Manager will lead and support the implementation urban forest plans, strategies, and projects in Newark and Paterson. The primary responsibility for this position will be to lead TNC’s work on a 5-year United States Forest Service (USFS) Urban and Community Forestry grant in Newark that will result in the planting and stewardship of 2,000 urban street trees. 

The Cities Forestry Project Manager will: 

• Manage and implement urban forestry and related conservation projects in the cities of Newark and Paterson, New Jersey to benefit residents by addressing critical threats to natural systems, public health, and community resilience. 
• Collaborate  with community-based organizations on urban forestry workforce development programs. 
• Assist in urban tree inventory for Newark.
• Manage and advance partnerships with diverse stakeholders - including neighborhood, municipal, state, and federal government entities, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia, and faith-based groups. 
• Engage in informational and educational initiatives designed to communicate various forestry activities to diverse audiences. This includes creating technical articles, delivering lectures, developing presentations, and giving tours.
• Provide administrative, research, and other general assistance to Cities program staff working toward the achievement of Greening our Cities goals. 
• Manage and implement a comprehensive, five-year urban tree canopy project funded by USFS, including managing all grant activities, project partners, invoicing, reporting, and compliance.

This is a five-year term position, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.

This position is based in northern New Jersey, with frequent travel to Newark and/or Paterson, NJ. May work in variable weather conditions on difficult terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We are looking for someone who understands the needs and challenges of New Jersey cities, such as flooding, urban heat, and air pollution, and has ambition to implement nature-based solutions, like expanding urban forests, to help address these challenges. We’re looking for someone who will demonstrate understanding of the socio-economic opportunities and challenges in New Jersey and approach conservation decisions with a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice lens.

The Cities Forestry Project Manager will be an integral member of The Nature Conservancy – New Jersey Adaptation and Greening Our Cities team. Our vision is to achieve greener, more resilient cities in New Jersey through the expansion of the urban forest and canopy cover within the communities where we work. The vision is to achieve the greener cities through meaningful engagement and collaboration with the community at large, anchor institutions, and other stakeholders implementing impactful conservation efforts. Come join TNC and apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 5 years of experience in natural resources management, environmental sciences, urban forestry, forestry, or related fields OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., community organizations, non-profit partners, government officials and departments, funders, etc. 
• High level of organizational skills with an ability to prioritize, coordinate and manage multiples tasks and projects.
• Demonstrated experience in project management including project planning, organization, and implementation.
• Experience managing grant efforts that include payments/expenditures, progress reports, compliance, and engaging/educating grantees and partner organizations.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s). 
• Experience with communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. 
• Experience working in New Jersey’s urban communities to implement on the ground projects.
• Experience in implementing community-centric projects and initiatives with multiple benefits to people. 
• Experience and knowledge of social, economic, environmental justice, and political conditions, issues, and organizations in cities. 
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in urban forestry policy, practice, and projects. 
• Experience with ArcGIS.