Program Manager, Urban & Community Forestry, California

About the Role

Trees help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face, from extreme heat to increased flooding, poor air quality, and loss of biodiversity. For 150 years, American Forests has worked to make sure everyone shares in the benefits trees and forests provide. To support this work, we are hiring an Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager, California to deliver this work across California, with primary focus on Los Angeles County.

This is a field-facing role. You'll be American Forests' lead relationship-holder working with state and local governments, community-based organizations, and AF’s community grantees in California — scoping needs, delivering community engagement and technical assistance, and coordinating GIS, policy, planning, and financing resources with on-the-ground impact. You'll work within a portfolio managed by the Director, Urban & Community Forestry, Pacific Northwest and contribute to identifying partners ready for deeper, funded engagements.

What You'll Do

The Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager, California will deliver American Forests' technical assistance and partner engagement work across California, with a first focus on Los Angeles County and American Forests’ existing community-based partners there. This is an execution-focused role within a portfolio managed by the Director, Urban & Community Forestry, Pacific Northwest and the Senior Director, Field Delivery, Urban Forestry. The Manager will carry active relationships with AF’s IRA-funded subgrantee community partners and municipal partners, deliver on scoped engagements, and contribute to the Director's outreach and development efforts in the state.

Success requires on-the-ground knowledge of California's urban forestry landscape, deep relationships with community-based organizations and municipal partners, and the ability to translate American Forests' tools and resources into practical support for partners at different stages of their tree equity work.

Specific Duties

Technical Assistance and Partner Relationships (70%)

• Own and steward an active portfolio of Catalyst Fund grantees and city partners through regular check-ins, working sessions, and in-person meetings in California.
• Deliver direct technical assistance on urban forestry planning, canopy equity analysis, policy development, community engagement, and tree planting and care program design.
• Conduct structured needs assessments with partners; brief the Director on gaps and opportunities to inform scope development and specialist coordination.

• Design and lead peer learning events, workshops, and technical assistance sessions for city staff, CBOs, and state agency partners.
• Train partners in American Forests' tools and resources; develop case studies and resource materials for the team's technical assistance library.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to Catalyst Fund subaward recipients; support American Forests' events and corporate tree plantings in the region.

Business Development Support (15%)

• Identify which partners in the California portfolio are ready to deepen engagement; flag those opportunities to the Director.
• Support the Director in cultivating relationships with state agencies, state urban and community forestry coordinators, USFS regional program managers, and funders.
• Contribute to grant proposals, funder reports, and donor communications as requested by the Director and Philanthropy team.

Administration (15%)

• Manage project information in Airtable and Microsoft Office tools, including activity logs, timelines, and budget tracking.
• Support the Director in developing regional project narratives and budget updates for grants and subawards.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and organization-wide activities.
• Provide additional support on other duties as assigned.

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.

• Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in arboriculture, landscape architecture, forestry, urban planning, environmental science, or a related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in urban forestry, urban planning, or environmental program management.

• 3-5 years of professional experience in California, with direct experience working alongside municipal agencies, state agencies, and community-based organizations.
• ISA Certified Arborist or Certified Urban Forest Professional strongly preferred, or ability to attain certification within 3 months. Candidates should bring working knowledge of urban ecology, arboriculture standards, canopy assessment, and community-based approaches to tree planting and care.

• Demonstrated ability to hold a portfolio of government or nonprofit relationships, manage expectations, and drive partners toward concrete outcomes.
• Comfort facilitating workshops, designing working sessions, and explaining technical concepts clearly to partners with varied backgrounds; ability to present credibly to city staff, CBOs, funders, and community members.
• Working knowledge of federal and state funding programs relevant to California urban forestry (IRA urban forestry programs, CDBG, EPA EJ grants, CAL FIRE urban forestry programs) sufficient to connect partners with opportunities.
• Experience managing a portfolio of projects remotely, including tracking deliverables, managing timelines, and contributing to shared performance goals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust, document work clearly, and represent American Forests to external partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to American Forests' values: advancing equity, centering the most impacted communities, and prioritizing impact over organizational prominence.

Reporting and Supervision

The Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager will report to a Director, Urban & Community Forestry, Pacific Northwest with Urban Forestry Department specialists, Resilient Forests, Philanthropy, and Marketing & Communications. This position does not have direct reports at this time.

Working Conditions

Remote, based in California, with at least 50% of time focused on partners in Los Angeles County. Preferred candidate location is the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Up to 15% travel throughout the U.S., including to American Forests' headquarters in Washington D.C. may be required.

This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods and to operate a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. This is a one-year position with extension pending future funding availability.

The budgeted salary range is between $73,000 – 75,000.