PROGRAM MANAGER, SIDEWALK GARDENS
JOB DESCRIPTION
Classification and Time: Full-time, Exempt
Annual Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 DOE
Benefits: 100% Employer-paid health, dental and vision per FUF Employee Handbook
Reports to: Program Director
Date: August 2024
ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Since 1981, Friends of the Urban Forest, a premier San Francisco environmental nonprofit, has brought together communities throughout the city to plant over 120,000 square feet of sidewalk gardens and more than 60,000 trees — half of San Francisco’s street tree canopy. Friends of the Urban Forest has a long history of integrating urban greening with civic engagement as a way to increase community health and resilience, combat the effects of the climate crisis, and promote environmental equity and social justice. Friends of the Urban Forest recognizes San Francisco’s many communities and cultures and the diverse ways in which they connect with our urban forest. We also connect San Franciscans to nature and to each other.
This position at Friends of the Urban Forest would give you the exciting opportunity to be part of a growing and dynamic professional organization that has been creating a greener San Francisco for over 40 years.
Position Summary
The Program Manager, Sidewalk Gardens is responsible for planning, developing, and managing Friends of the Urban Forest’s Sidewalk Gardens (SWG) program. This includes assisting with program design, implementing and improving upon program processes, engaging with community partners, reporting on work completed to grant funders, and ensuring that program goals are met. This position may also be responsible for completing Special Projects as they arise on a fee-for-service basis.
This position requires a background in horticulture and strong organizational and leadership skills. The position involves both office and field work, public speaking, some heavy lifting (40 lbs.), and driving fleet vehicles. The Program Manager, Sidewalk Gardens reports directly to the Program Director and works closely with the community engagement team, other program managers and team members, city and state level government agencies, various vendors and contractors, volunteers, and members of the public.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead Friends of the Urban Forest’s Sidewalk Garden planting activities; and hire, train, coach, and supervise one Planting Manager.
- Maintain a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following and enforcing standards and procedures and complying with legal regulations.
- Assist with grant management and billing, including approving payment of invoices, and developing monthly and quarterly reports for contract invoicing.
- Lead the development of program goals and utilize quarterly program review processes to solicit feedback from stakeholders and track progress toward goals.
- Develop workflows and program structure to facilitate project management and create meaningful impact that aligns with Friends of the Urban Forest’s mission, vision, and values.
- Cultivate and maintain key relationships with outside individuals and organizations such as community organizers, other nonprofits, and neighborhood groups in order to maintain presence in communities between projects and create a network to help build interest when projects are scheduled.
- Manage Sidewalk Gardens projects when required. This includes organizing community meetings, conducting site analysis, submitting permits, managing contractors, and leading volunteer groups.
- Coordinate with the Community Engagement Program Manager to ensure plantings and events are scheduled to fulfill grant contract requirements and to ensure that annual goals are met.
- Coordinate with the Development team to ensure special plantings and events are scheduled, and to ensure that partner needs are managed and met.
- Identify, create, and manage relationships with vendors, contractors, and community partners; and support team members in ensuring agreements and quality standards are met.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations with direct reports; provide coaching and support; communicate job expectations; plan, monitor, and provide regular feedback on job performance; recommend compensation actions; and follow policies and procedures.
- In collaboration with the Development Operations Manager and Program Director, ensure compliance and satisfactory completion of grant and other funding obligations.
- Contribute to organization-wide budget development, forecasting, and review through projecting planting goals and monitoring progress towards meeting the goals.
- Act as a source of technical expertise to support Friends of the Urban Forest’s advocacy efforts.
- Attend and participate in, and occasionally assist in planning special events including annual Volunteer Party and other events hosted or participated in on behalf of Friends of the Urban Forest.