POSITION TITLE: Green Space (GS) Program Manager
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Exempt from overtime. Full-time (40 hours per week).
HOURS: Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday schedule. Planting season (October - May) often includes Saturday work. Occasional evenings as needed.
SUPERVISED BY: Deputy Director
SUPERVISES: 3-member Green Space (GS) team and occasional interns
PAY RATE: Annual salary set at $70,000. Eligible for full benefits package, including 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement match up to 2%, paid time off starting at 3 weeks' vacation, 11 holidays, and sick time. Organization will be closed during the final full week of December.
LOCATION: FOT Portland office; stairs required to access. Travel throughout Portland and Salem metro areas with FOT provided vehicles. Work combination of in-office, outdoor, and hybrid/remote.
EXPECTED START DATE: February 2027
ABOUT FRIENDS OF TREES
Since 1989, Friends of Trees (FOT) has planted over one million trees and native shrubs in 120+ neighborhoods covering six counties across two states. We've done this through engaging tens of thousands of community members, and while implementing and growing programming that aims to do this work inclusively and equitably. We plant trees, and so much more. Learn more about The Friends of Trees Way, about Our Commitment to Equity, and about Our Community Partnerships.
JOB SUMMARY
The GS Program Manager oversees GS Program activities and staff, including project and program planning, budget oversight, grant and contract management, and supervision of GS staff. The GS team hosts 45+ community-based events and activities each year, engaging thousands of community members and volunteers. GS programming includes tree planting, natural area stewardship, tree giveaways, workshops, community engagement, and K-12 education. The Manager provides strategic direction and support to the team in planning, coordinating, and delivering their events and programming. They collaborate with GS staff, fellow FOT programs, community and non-profit partners, public agencies, volunteers, and interns to foster community and environmental stewardship of our urban and suburban green spaces throughout the Portland-Vancouver and Salem metro.
DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Program Administration and Oversight:
- Oversee GS program planning and implementation of natural area and urban green space enhancement and stewardship projects throughout Portland-Vancouver and Salem metro regions.
- Develop and maintain GS program protocols, processes, training materials, and shared resources.
- Design and manage annual program calendars and staff work plans, coordinating deliverables, priorities, and staffing.
- Evaluate program through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, adapting approaches to strengthen program impact and responsiveness to community needs and opportunities.
- Develop project proposals and cultivate partnerships with community organizations, non-profits, government agencies, landowners, and other stakeholders; oversee subcontractors, vendors, and partners to ensure successful project delivery and meaningful community engagement.
- Support monthly or as-needed GS events, annual volunteer trainings, and workforce development initiatives and partnerships. During the first year, lead or co-lead events to build program knowledge; lead events in subsequent years as needed.
Budget & Contract Management:
- Co-develop and oversee annual GS budget, tracking revenue, expenses, and performance.
- Manage and administer 15+ government grants and contracts annually, overseeing invoicing, reporting, financial tracking, and deliverables while coordinating with staff and partners to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, shared goals, and municipal guidelines.
- Identify and pursue project-based funding opportunities, including grant writing and development, contract negotiations, and contract renewals.
Team Management:
- Supervise and support the GS staff team, providing guidance, resources, and professional development to support effective program implementation and cross-program collaboration.
- Hold regular team check-ins and facilitate weekly meetings to provide support, prioritize work, track deliverables and annual work plans, provide feedback, and address team dynamics, capacity, and programmatic needs; lead staff recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and performance reviews.
- Oversee GS time tracking, timesheet approvals, overtime, and time-off requests, collaborating with the team to balance staffing needs to maintain effective operations during high-demand periods.
Green Space Enhancement & Stewardship:
- Provide technical guidance and support to GS team in developing natural area enhancement plans, project designs, project implementation strategies, and long-term stewardship.
- Conduct site visits with project partners and land managers to identify enhancement opportunities and develop project proposals, scopes, work plans, budgets, and anticipated outcomes.
- Oversee GS project delivery, including plant sourcing, procurement, and inventory management.
- Develop proposals for natural area enhancement projects, including project scope, proposed approaches, work plans, budgets, and anticipated outcomes.
- Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of project planting, maintenance, and plant survival data to evaluate outcomes and inform ongoing stewardship and management decisions.
Other Duties:
- Prepare program updates and reports for staff, board, and other organizational needs.
- Advance and promote GS engagement with FOT Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives.
- Participate in staff meetings, retreats, trainings, program improvement efforts, cross-program committees, and strategic planning.
- Support organizational fundraising, strategic planning, and other activities that fulfill FOT's mission
- Ensure GS team adherence to safety protocols and maintain a safe working environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- People Management Experience: Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing staff, providing thoughtful guidance, constructive feedback, and opportunities for growth.
- Interpersonal Communication & Collaboration: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to give and receive feedback and adapt communication styles to effectively connect with and support diverse staff, volunteers, and community members.
- Natural Resources Management & Ecological Enhancement: Knowledge of PNW ecosystems and ecological enhancement. Experience planning, implementing, or overseeing habitat improvement, native planting, and natural area stewardship projects. Able to assess site conditions, identify opportunities, develop project plans, and guide project implementation and long-term care.
- Budget, Funding & Contract Development & Management: Experience developing, managing, and tracking project budgets, managing grants and contracts, preparing funding proposals and scopes, and monitoring expenses, revenue, and deliverables.
- Project Management & Program Oversight: Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities, delegating responsibilities, and navigating challenges effectively. Strong organizational and time management; ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, track project outcomes, and build effective systems and processes.
- Volunteer & Community Engagement: Experience developing volunteer opportunities and strong community partnerships, with a commitment to inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive environmental programming and community engagement initiatives.
- Technical & Other Requirements: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; current First Aid certification or willingness to obtain; and valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skilled in using tools like ArcGIS, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or Photoshop.
- Fluent or proficient in any language(s) in addition to English.
TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Megan at jobs@friendsoftrees.org by 11:59pm on Sunday, November 22, 2026. In the cover letter, please address the following: 1) why you're interested in this position, 2) personal or professional experience applying equity in environmental or community initiatives, and 3) any relevant skills and experience not listed in your resume or benefiting from further explanation. Please limit your application materials to three pages total. References may be requested at a later date.
FOT recognizes that not everyone has equal access to the benefits of trees and healthy urban green spaces based on racial and socioeconomic status, and we are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. FOT provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, disability or genetics.