Southern California Program Senior Associate

Position Function: The Southern California Program Senior Associates report directly to the Southern California Program Manager/Director and works closely with Southern California Program staff to provide project management, contract management, and program and project development support. This work requires close coordination with NFF staff, the U.S. Forest Service, community organizations, and implementation partners to accomplish identified goals and activities across NFF’s Southern California Program.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: The Southern California Program Senior Associate is responsible for:

• Working closely with the NFF and U.S. Forest Service staff to support project planning and implementation, including procurement, contracting, and project tracking.
• Supporting the advertisement, negotiation, and awarding of contracts for services or purchases related to on-the-ground implementation of fuel reduction, invasive weed management, ecosystem restoration, and recreation enhancement projects.
• Conducting ongoing communication with partners, contractors, and vendors on the status of project planning, implementation, and project successes.
• Preparing federal, state, and private progress reports including writing project updates, tracking expenses, and gathering information from NFF staff and partners.
• Supporting development of federal, state, and private grant proposals.
• Working with NFF staff to communicate project needs and accomplishments, including writing blogs and social media posts, updating Southern California Program webpages, and ensuring the Southern California Program team contributes to communications efforts on a regular basis.
• Assisting as necessary with the NFF program of work in Southern California, which may include the management of diverse, short-term projects.
• Working with the Southern California Program team to identify opportunities for strategic program growth.
• Networking with organizations, agencies, and others in Southern California to advance the activities on local National Forests.
• Staying abreast of emerging conservation and recreation improvement efforts and ways the NFF can engage and build capacity.