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 young adult 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.
Title: Project Manager / Senior Project Manager
Department/Division: ACE Pacific West (PW)
Location: Palm Springs/Coachella Valley, CA
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Associate Director of Operations
Hours: Full-time. Flexible schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed
Travel: Yes, this position requires regional travel (up to 40%) alongside office and warehouse work (60%). Travel includes field work and overnight stays in a variety of conditions and accommodations including camping.
Start Date: TBD
Position Summary:
The Project Manager/Senior Project Manager (On-Site) (PM/SPM) serves in a leadership role within the ACE Pacific West (PW) Operations Team and is responsible for the management of complex conservation projects throughout the Pacific West region, primarily in the state of California. Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Operations, the PM/SPM provides leadership and direction for the Coachella Valley branch of PW. The PM/SPM has three major areas of responsibility: General oversight and responsibility for operations management in the Coachella Valley branch location, including supervision and oversight of Crew Leaders and other support staff. Skills training for members and operations staff, particularly focused on field conservation skills. Project development in one or more particular areas of expertise. The PM/SPM serves as the primary manager in the Coachella Valley branch location supervising a small staff team and AmeriCorps members while collaborating with other division staff and outside partners. The role has direct responsibility for deliverables, timelines, and budget development and oversight of projects related to their branch location. The PM/SPM will also support division development efforts that help forward strategic objectives and outcomes embodying and advancing ACE's core values of quality, inclusion, professional development, stewardship, and partner immersion.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- General oversight and responsibility for operations management.
- Supervise staff as assigned, primarily on projects served from the PM/SPM's home base location. Adjust level of support for crews/Crew Leaders depending on the complexity of each project.
- Provide general mentorship, training, leadership, discipline, and other support for location staff.
- Work with members and Crew Leaders to resolve interpersonal conflict.
- Develop and enforce field safety processes and standards that meet industry norms and all applicable regulations.
- Conduct staff check-ins and performance reviews. Outline skills/leadership development goals for staff.
- Ensure reporting is completed on time, is accurate, and is to a high standard.
- Act as a Crew Leader or fill in for other staff members in the event of illness, vacation, or other absence.
Skills Training for Members and Operations Staff
- Serve as the PW Division trainer and technical lead conservation skills (forestry/chainsaw, trails, restoration/herbicide, etc.)
- Collaborate with ACE Solutions and other extra-divisional staff to develop skills, obtain certifications, plan and implement trainings, ensure PW Division meets ACE and other standards, and otherwise develop support for Coachella Valley base location.
- Outline skills and leadership development goals for staff and members.
- Collaborate with staff to conduct new member orientations and trainings.
- Develop and implement a robust PW Crew Leader training and onboarding program in collaboration with other ACE staff.
Project Development in One or More Areas of Expertise
- Provide leadership and support as needed for projects based out of the Coachella Valley base location including (forestry/chainsaw, trails, and/or restoration/herbicide).
- Work with the Associate Director of Operations and Division Director to develop aspects of the PW budget relevant to the Coachella Valley base location.
- In collaboration with the Division Director and Associate Director of Operations, serve as the point of contact for project partners while working to develop the scopes of work, budgets, itineraries, and other project planning details and documents needed to successfully solicit, bid, prepare for, complete, and report on a conservation field projects.
- Reply to RFPs and other solicitations as needed.
- Conduct field site visits and partnership meetings.
- Collaborate with the Associate Director of Operations to schedule projects.
- Other duties as assigned.