ACE -Senior Project Manager, Pacific West

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America's public lands. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Location: Sacramento, CA

Department/Division: CREW, Pacific West

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Flexible schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed

Reports To: Associate Director of Operations

Travel: Yes, regional travel required

Compensation: Starting annualized salary of $42,000-$65,000, based on relevant experience.

Please note this salary range is the national ACE pay range for a position in this grade. Positions required to be based in California will follow the ACE California pay range, which is higher.

This position is also eligible for ACE's competitive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays, and 401k retirement for qualified employees.

Start Date: Early 2022.

Position Description:

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) serves in a leadership role within the ACE Pacific West (PW) Crew Operations Team and is responsible for the management of complex conservation projects throughout the Pacific West region, primarily in the northern portion of the state of California. Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Operations, the SPM holds primary responsibility for operations out of ACE PW's Sacramento, CA base location, providing leadership and direction for 8-12 staff and up to 60+ corpsmembers. The ideal candidate has a practical background and experience in directing trail construction and maintenance projects, forest thinning/fuels reduction and chainsaw projects, or both, with additional experience in restoration work (herbicide, invasive removal, etc.) preferred. The SPM has three major areas of responsibility:

1. Training and division-wide skills program development focusing specifically on trail maintenance and construction or chainsaw and forestry,
2. Supervision and oversight of Sacramento based Project Managers (PMs), Crew Leaders, and Conservation Corps crews,
3. Lead management of operations and warehouse supervision at the Sacramento base location, including developing and enforcing safety protocols, standard operating procedures, and growing a diverse, inclusive, and productive team culture.

The SPM serves as warehouse and operations manager, supervising Project Managers and other Operations Team staff while collaborating with Member Resources Team staff. The role has direct responsibility for deliverables, timelines, and budget development and oversight of projects and programs. The SPM will also support division development efforts that help forward strategic objectives and outcomes, specifically related to ACE PW's trail and/or chainsaw and forestry program.

This position is tied to ACE PW's field base location in Sacramento, CA and requires regional travel alongside office and warehouse work. Travel includes overnight stays in a variety of accommodations including camping.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Training and Division-Wide Skills Program Development:

• Serve as the PW Division trainer and technical lead in trail maintenance and construction activities or in chainsaw/forestry activities. This position is our go-to expert for estimating project timelines, costs, and deliverables in one of these two disciplines.
• Develop and implement a division-wide training program to support ACE PW's trail or chainsaw/forestry projects.
• Collaborate with ACE Solutions staff to develop skills, obtain certifications, plan and implement trainings, ensure PW Division meets ACE and other standards, and otherwise develop support for the PW Division's trail or chainsaw/forestry projects.
• Outline skills and leadership development goals for Project Managers.
• In tandem with the ACE Solutions team and other PW staff, provide support as needed for PW Division-based trail or chainsaw/forestry projects.
• Oversee and manage assets related to trail or chainsaw/forestry projects for PW branches. Work with the Associate Director of Operations and Division Director to develop relevant aspects of the PW budget.
• Provide training and lead orientations for Project Managers, Crew Leaders, and members as needed.

Supervision and Oversight of Project Managers and Crew Leaders:

• Supervise Project Managers as assigned, primarily on projects served from the Sacramento base location. Adjust level of support for Project Managers depending on the complexity of each project.
• Provide general mentorship, training, leadership, discipline, and other support for Project Managers and Crew Leaders.
• Work with Project Managers and Crew Leaders to resolve interpersonal conflict.
• Conduct Project Manager check-ins and performance reviews. Outline skills/leadership development goals for Project Managers.
• Ensure Project Manager reporting is completed on time, is accurate, and is to a high standard.

Management of Operations out of Sacramento Base Location:

• Oversee all Project Managers and operations out of the Sacramento base location and serve as the primary operational point of contact for ACE at that location.
• With the Associate Director of Operations and Division Director, develop capacity to meet our partners increasing needs while prioritizing projects that fit ACE's desired work schedule and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Operations to schedule projects.
• Conduct site visits and develop budgets and project scopes of work as needed.
• Work with Project Managers and Crew Leaders to resolve interpersonal conflict and to mediate interpersonal conflict between partner staff and ACE staff.
• Oversee warehouse systems, processes, and inventories. Ensure that the warehouse meets OSHA compliance and ACE standards and is clean and orderly.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating branch asset inventories.
• Responsible for directing Crew Leaders and Project Managers in conducting new member orientations and trainings including onboarding logistics and training content.
• Collaborate with Member Resources and Logistics staff to ensure smooth, productive work flows.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• 5-6 years of experience working in conservation positions, with 3-4 years serving in a leadership role, preferably within a Conservation Corps.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• Extensive experience and demonstrable knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in a wide variety of conservation field work including environmental restoration, trail construction and maintenance, and other conservation tasks. Expertise in trail and/or chainsaw/forestry skills is particularly relevant for this position.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFR preferred), CPR, and BBP certification.
• Ability to develop systems and processes to minimize risks and hazards and to prevent, analyze and resolve safety issues; possess knowledge of safety procedures as applied to field operations and experience in encouraging and enforcing compliance with safety policies.
• Possess and maintain skills and certifications in a variety of conservation/environmental operations, including advanced skills and certifications in the designated area of expertise.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing field operations in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Strong organizational and communication skills and experience leading, training and motivating multiple subordinates with competing priorities in a safe, organized and professional manner.
• Working knowledge of young adult development, team-building and motivational techniques.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of heavy manual labor, for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions and in various climates
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes including key responsibilities of crew leaders
• Must maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team dynamics
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members, partner agency staff, and the general public.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic work environments and conditions that can change frequently.
• Ability to maintain a positive, constructive work environment conducive to team performance.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex safety issues
• Ability to handle concurrent operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel and camp out for extended periods of time.
• Must be flexible and possess a high work ethic.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Proficient in English
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Individuals who identify with groups typically under-represented in the conservation industry, including women, non-binary individuals, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color are particularly encouraged to apply.

All ACE members and staff must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their term/position or request a medical or religious exemption.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of hand and power tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently lifts up to 50 lbs., ability to lift or move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

To Apply: Navigate to the ACE website: https://usaconservationstaff.applicantpool.com/jobs/ to fill out an application. You must include a resume, one-page cover letter and three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity.

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Learn More About American Conservation Experience (ACE)!

Current Openings for ACE Senior Project Manager, Pacific West Jobs at Mellon Fellowships