WHO WE ARE
At Parks California, our vision is for vibrant, healthy parks that welcome, engage, and inspire. As the official nonprofit partner to California State Parks, working statewide, we’re uniquely positioned to innovate and work hand-in-hand with communities and experts to bring resources together — ensuring that everyone can experience healthy and thriving parks for generations to come. As a team, each of us at Parks California strives to:
- Be a valued and trusted partner organization.
- Serve as catalysts for the future of parks.
- Cultivate a culture of philanthropy.
- Model emotional and cultural intelligence in our work every day.
- Embody the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Parks California was created to be a new model of public, private and nonprofit partnership. We’re a proud partner of 1% for the Planet, a global network of thousands of businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet. We currently operate more than 30 projects, which are funded by government, public-private partnership agreements, and the generous support of private donations.
Want to learn more? Check out our website.
OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENT
One of Parks California’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people develop talent and skills outside traditional job scopes, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Associate Program Manager will implement projects across our program areas. The position offers the opportunity to steward a broad range of program grantmaking, contracting, and partnership activities as part of a small, dynamic team.
The Associate Program Manager brings demonstrated experience in project management and collaborates exceptionally well across cross-functional virtual teams. The ideal candidate is passionate about nurturing meaningful relationships with government partners and nonprofit organizations and driving systemic change for the betterment of parks and people.
As a member of Parks California’s Programs team, you will work to tackle many of the most significant challenges facing California’s parks. Our team members, skilled in collaborative decision making and refined project management, drive multiyear engagements that coalesce partnerships with government, nonprofit organizations, communities, and business sectors. You will contribute to the growth and well-being of California’s communities and the long-term health of our park system — from visitor experience to resource stewardship.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management
- Lead projects and work streams across Parks California program areas and support ongoing activities that ensure the organization’s successful program delivery.
- Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with California State Parks partners, organizations and stakeholders serving on project teams.
- Draft and edit department work orders, consultant contracts, and grant agreements from predefined templates.
- Manage consultant and vendor agreements: track and monitor contract changes, budgets, deliverables, reporting requirements, correspondence, review deliverables, and maintain associated documentation.
- Assess project and program risk and identify potential problems before they occur.
Grant Program Management & Systems Development
- Coordinate grant-making activities, including initial development, marketing, due diligence and selection, peer learning, evaluation, and reporting.
- Execute grantee contracts, coordinate the evaluation of selected grants, and maintain grant program budgets.
- Cultivate relationships with existing and prospective grantee partners, providing technical assistance and facilitating new partnerships.
Programs Team Administration
- Support research and ongoing improvement of program delivery models:
- Identify best practices and innovation within program areas that can be scaled across parks and public lands
- Effective community engagement, park relevancy and interpretation practices
- Climate resiliency and landscape scale stewardship
- Sustainable partnership models
- Contribute to the collection, analysis, and reporting of program metrics and oversee the development of ad hoc reports and analyses, as needed.
- Work with the communications and development teams to build engaging content, presentations and fundraising campaigns.
- Serve on internal and external committees and ad hoc working groups to advance organizational goals and priorities.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Full-time annual salaried position of $75,000 – $87,500, limited to a 12-month term, with potential for extension.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 401K plan with employer match up to 5% and no waiting period,
- $150 per month reimbursement for home Internet and mobile phone service,
- 20 days paid vacation,
- 10 paid sick days,
- 13 paid holidays,
- flexible, family-friendly schedule,
- medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, group and voluntary life insurance, EAP,
- training and development resources, and
- California Annual Park Pass
QUALIFICATIONS
- Deep commitment to our values, mission and core values; and dedication to continuous listening and learning to increase cultural competency on a personal and organizational level.
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience working in project management, grantmaking or public sector consulting roles.
- Demonstrated work experience in the implementation of long-term (1 yr+), multi-stakeholder projects or consulting engagements; familiarity with the components of nonprofit grant management and administration preferred.
- Ability to set and manage priorities, exercise sound judgment, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and effectively in a cross-functioning team, building strong and trusted relationships.
- Ability to facilitate meetings and group processes for the purposes of fact-finding, decision-making, peer learning, and problem solving.
- Experience in working effectively with diverse and broad-based community constituencies
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written reports and presentations and comfort with public speaking.
- Flexible to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm and patience.
- Proficiency in using technology, including but not limited to, online software platforms and business applications such as MS 365, SharePoint, and project management tools like Monday.com.
- A background working for nonprofit organizations, public sector, or mission-led, for-profit companies.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This role reports to the Director of Programs – Climate & Stewardship. This role will work cross-functionally with Parks California departments and partners to achieve goals and desired outcomes.
OFFICE LOCATION
We are a remote-first organization, however, the person in this role must reside in California. This allows us to work from anywhere in California virtually, including in some of the most beautiful natural spaces across the state.
TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS
The successful candidate must be able to travel within California approximately 10% of the year.
APPLY
Please submit a current resume and cover letter.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter by May 4, 2025.
START DATE
Anticipated start date is late June 2025.
