Youth Leadership Program Manager

Full Time at 40 hrs/week - Exempt

Local position based in Palo Alto, CA

Canopy is a community forestry non-profit partnering with the communities of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven of Menlo Park, unincorporated North Fair Oaks of San Mateo County, Palo Alto, and Mountain View. Our mission is to collaborate with communities to grow and sustain equitable urban forests for all. We prioritize tree planting and stewardship, education, and advocacy in communities where people do not have a thriving urban forest due to limited resources, competing priorities, historical development, and urbanization patterns. Canopy staff and volunteers strive toward excellence, equity, collaboration, and gratitude in the work we do, and welcome candidates that share these values. We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our team and grow with us as we work towards our vision: connected communities thriving within a vibrant urban forest.

Position Summary 

Under the direction of Canopy’s Education Director, the Youth Leadership Programs Manager will be responsible for coordinating Canopy’s Teen Urban Forester (TUF) program. The TUF program offers paid internships to local high-school students to participate in Canopy’s tree planting and tree care programs. The TUFs train in the field of urban forestry and at the same time develop an ethic of environmental stewardship, leadership skills, and 21st century skills.  

Training experiences are complemented by field work, which includes leading volunteers at tree planting and tree care events, and caring for young trees by watering, mulching, pruning, and adjusting stakes. The TUFs participate in community outreach for Canopy events, engage residents, and teach peers about the importance of trees in the urban environment. This position blends urban forestry and youth development into a cohesive workforce development model designed to inspire the next generation of urban forestry professionals. 

The Youth Leadership Program Manager is a highly collaborative, culturally competent colleague with strong experience in community-based programming, a passion for youth empowerment, and a solid foundation in urban and community forestry concepts.  

Schedule

• Full-time, 40 hours per week position Tuesday - Saturday.  The successful candidate will work with the Education Director to set their schedule, which must include:
• In-person Tuesdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• TUF Sessions on:
• Wednesdays - 4 - 6 p.m., plus transportation before and after
• Thursdays - 4 - 6 p.m., plus transportation before and after
• Saturdays - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
• Hybrid, partially working from home, the classroom/field, and the office. TUF sessions take place at the EPA YMCA, Canopy office, or at various fieldwork or enrichment sites. Mandatory in-person office days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. In-person attendance is also regularly expected at Programs Team meetings, staff get-togethers, and internal meetings. In-person presence of this position is important for community impact, department cohesion, and Canopy’s culture of mutual support.
• Anticipated start date: As soon as possible

Key Responsibilities

Youth Program Leadership (TUF Program) – 90%

• Lead strategy, vision, and implementation of Canopy’s Teen Urban Forester (TUF) program, engaging high school students in paid internships focused on urban forestry, climate resilience, and community leadership.
• Design and implement a robust curriculum, combining technical training, fieldwork, college and career readiness, and 21st-century skill development across three session cohorts
• Manage, mentor, and inspire youth cohorts during three sessions in field-based and classroom environments.
• Manage communication with the TUFs via calendars, emails, texts, timesheets
• Manage TUF paperwork and ensure it is completed on time
• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and empowering program culture
• Develop systems for youth accountability, growth, and feedback.
• Cultivate and manage partnerships with local schools, city agencies, and community organizations to support recruitment and project collaboration.
• Oversee logistics including site scheduling, transportation licensing and requirements (driving a 15-passenger van), safety protocols, and documentation.
• Collaboratively develop and manage program budget, deliverables, and evaluation metrics; contribute to grant reporting and storytelling.
• Work with Communications and Development teams to elevate youth voices and program visibility.
• Collaborate with Canopy colleagues to complement the Teen Urban Forester program with Canopy’s Tree Planting, Tree Care, Education, and other programmatic goals.

Organizational Leadership and Collaboration – ~10%

• Serve as a thought partner to the Education Director and contribute to strategic planning across youth and community engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Canopy’s program and development teams to integrate youth and community stories into communications, fundraising, and advocacy work.
• Represent Canopy at community meetings, conferences, and in regional coalitions related to workforce development, green jobs, urban forestry, and environmental equity.
• Actively contribute to Canopy’s inclusive and mission-driven culture, with a commitment to continuous learning and community accountability.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a valid U.S. Driver’s License 
• Live Scan background check is required upon hire for all staff that work with youth under age 18.
• At least 1-3 years of experience leading groups of 15+ high school youth.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity in education and cultural competency.
• Ability to adapt teaching style and content to meet the diverse needs of high school students.
• Strong public speaking skills; ability to present in a confident, engaging manner that draws in the audience.
• Organizational skills and ability to follow through with assigned tasks.
• Detail-oriented, organized, with outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively and openly communicate with coworkers and subject matter experts
• Ability to create a positive, psychologically safe environment for high school youth of all backgrounds.
• Experience providing mentorship to high school youth. 
• Positive, flexible, and friendly.
• Independently driven team player.

Preferred Qualifications

• Having a Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger Endorsement is preferred but not required, though if you do not currently have this license, you will be required to obtain. Costs associated with obtaining the license will be covered by Canopy, and studying for written exam can take place during working hours
• Database skills
• Lived experience or experience working with untapped communities.
• Strongly preferred: fluency in Spanish
• Knowledge and/or experience in workforce development
• Knowledge and/or experience in urban forestry, community forestry, or other environmental fields
• Experience working in a nonprofit environment
• Experience managing teams of people

Physical Activity Requirements

• Ability to sit and type, frequently
• Ability to bend, squat, stoop, and stand for long periods of time, regularly
• Preferred: ability to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally
• Driving to and around neighborhoods where work is being performed

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary:  $69,000 to $72,000
• Health Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance is available
• Retirement: 401k, with the hope of offering employer matching contributions in the future.
• Sick leave: 12 days (96 hours) sick leave per year with a maximum accrual of 12 days per year.
• Vacation time: 12 days (96 hours) per year with a maximum accrual of 18 days per year. Accrual rates increase after two years with Canopy. 
• Paid holidays: The following are official holidays for all Canopy employees:
• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve Day
• Christmas Day
• The work days falling between Christmas and New Year's Day
• One floating holiday to be used for work anniversary, birthday, or a cultural holiday