Our Mission in Action 

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Senior Manager, California Seed & Seedling Production to join our Forest Restoration team. 

What You’ll Do 

As a part of the team, you will develop and execute projects and partnerships, working in close collaboration with USFS staff; manage field staff and related logistics for personnel supported by the USFS Agreement and other relevant grants and agreements within their Region, including staff planning, recruitment and hiring as applicable; and support grant and agreement administration, including invoicing, reporting, and grant writing. Major responsibilities include: 

Project Management (60%)

• Oversee American Forests’ staff-led efforts at NFS facilities (seed orchards, nursery, and other sites as appropriate). These could include data management and analysis; orchard operations; cone collections; seed processing, testing, and sowing; nursery growing operations, and more.  
• Oversee field and safety logistics for direct reports, ensuring that staff have the requisite safety training, and that safety practices are aligned with organizational requirements.  
• Coordinate with AF and USDA Forest Service staff on protocols, templates, and best practices. 
• Build and maintain relationships on behalf of American Forests with key agencies and regional stakeholders.
• Manage and support reforestation and forest resilience partnerships, including facilitation of and/or attendance at partner meetings, grants and agreement reporting, and budgeting. 
• Work with the California Director to advance reforestation efforts, plans, partnerships, and/or agreements on NFS lands. 
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of trends, best practices, scientific research, and new developments in silviculture, reforestation, forestry, and natural resource management.

Supervisory Duties (20%)

• Supervise seasonal and full-time permanent employees, including timesheet and leave approvals, performance assessments, assistance with administrative processes, etc. 
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training for additional staff as needed. 
• Provide supervisory support, including in-field/onsite as needed, for AF staff and for field crews and field support personnel as needed and appropriate. 

Grant Management/Administration (15%)

• Work with AF staff on administrative tasks, including budgeting, preparing invoice documentation, documenting match, submitting reimbursements and supporting grant/agreement modifications. 

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Assist AF staff in the delivery of relevant in-person meetings, conferences, and events. 
• Conduct public presentations at conferences and meetings.
• Plan and lead site visits and field tours as appropriate.

What We’re Looking For 

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives. 

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, wildlife management, or other related field with at least three (3) years of experience; or a Masters degree in relevant field with at least two (2) years of experience. 
• Experience supervising teams of people, ideally in field-based and remote environments. 
• Working knowledge and experience in project and partnership management. Partnership or project experience with USFS preferred.
• Strong organization, project management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possess a current First Aid certification or be willing to be sponsored in obtaining.
• Experience with GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis. 
• A valid driver’s license, as frequent travel to work sites is required.
• Field forestry and/or reforestation experience preferred, specifically: planning and implementing forest management actions on federal lands.
• California Registered Professional Forester and/or Society of American Foresters Certified Forester or ability to sit for next qualifying exam preferred. 
• Experience in contract oversight and administration preferred.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

Reporting and Supervision 

The Senior Manager will report to the California Regional Director and will directly supervise four (4) personnel based on-site at federal facilities (seed orchards and conifer seed nursery) with both full-time permanent and seasonal status.  

The Senior Manager will support their direct reports in completing on-the-ground project planning and implementation-related tasks. Close coordination with the USDA Forest Service and AF staff regarding scheduling, training, employee and direct report performance evaluations, among other items, will be required. The Senior Manager may also assist other California Regional Program staff in program planning and improvements, including recruitment and hiring, and in program areas that further the shared goals of the USFS and AF.  

Compensation, Benefits & Working Conditions 

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budget salary range is between $60,000 and $80,000 annually. 

The Senior Manager must live within 2 hours of Sacramento, CA and be able to travel reasonable distances to work sites and field locations. Other locations within California will be considered for highly qualified applicants. The Senior Manager will not report to a physical office space; non-field-related work may be completed remotely. This position may require up to 25% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C.  

Office work will be expected including, but not limited to, prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer (recordkeeping, contract administration, attending meetings, writing reports, and emailing). When in the field or onsite, the Senior Manager will be expected to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time and requires lifting materials weighing up to 40 lbs. Field work includes exposure to various risks, including, but not limited to: varying terrain, dense vegetation, and wildlife risks (exposure to bears, mountain lions, snakes, ticks, poison oak/ivy, mosquitos, etc.), hot, wet, and cold conditions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience. 

Our benefits package includes: 

• Health and Wellness 
• Work-Life Balance 
• Financial and Retirement 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 401(k) 6% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Insurance
• Parental Bonding Leave
• Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Bereavement Leave
• Pet Benefits
• Military Leave

Our Core Competencies 

Attitude - Communication - Organization - Problem-Solving & Creativity - Representing the Organization  

The Team 

Our Forest Restoration department connects the best available science, networks, and place-based implementation to protect and restore landscapes threatened by a wide variety of stressors for the benefit of people, water, wildlife and climate. Through our partnership with the USDA Forest Service, American Forests is addressing reforestation needs in multiple regions of the United States.  

 About Us 

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years.  

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.