Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit that connects people to the outdoors by creating parks and protecting public lands. The Parks and Schoolyards Manager 1 will manage multiple Minnesota park and schoolyard projects through engagement, design, construction, and completion while overseeing budgets, schedules, contracts, consultants, and participatory design processes. The role also supports site stewardship, community activation, fundraising, technical assistance, and organizational initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day project management for schoolyard projects from engagement, design, construction, through project completion, including:
- Develop and manage budget, schedule, and contracts
- Select, hire, and manage landscape architects, architects, engineers, contractors and other consultants needed to deliver the projects
- Track project progress and deliverables, organize meetings, and define agendas
- Manage project evaluation, grant management, and reporting
- Develop graphics as needed, including presentations, boards, flyers, etc
- Provide regular project updates and clear communication to staff and funders
- Design and conduct meaningful in-school participatory schoolyard design with students, in partnership with the Parks and Schoolyard Program Associate
- Develop and manage relationships with school districts and school staff, local government, and tribal nations, school districts, local representatives, and community leaders
- Manage ongoing stewardship of completed schoolyard project sites, including:
- Regular check-ins with school team
- Liaise with partner organizations and volunteers for stewardship events
- Select, hire, and manage community partners and landscape vendors contracted for ongoing maintenance
- Evaluate site condition and use
- Support ongoing community and school activation through curriculum integration, community events, and technical assistance
- Support fundraising and donor cultivation for stewardship program and related initiatives
- Support Philanthropy, Marketing, and Conservation Finance staff as needed and appropriate to spotlight projects, heighten overall program visibility, and build philanthropic support
- Collaborate with TPL’s national staff to advance the organization’s initiatives and share information internally
- Provide technical assistance to schools, community partners, and other partners around best practices for participatory design, schoolyards, and green space development
- Strategize with Program and State Directors on program development and organizational goals, including evaluating potential new projects and partnership opportunities
- Support Program Director with key program events, including biannual Schoolyard Summit, and with assorted administrative tasks required for a high functioning program
- Work with team members to develop tools and best practices for the program
- Represent TPL and build awareness of the organization through outreach events, meetings, public meetings, and fundraising efforts
- Other duties as necessary
Skills
- • Strong commitment to TPL's shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization
- • Minimum 3-5 years relevant experience
- • Experience managing design, construction, or planning projects. A successful candidate will be able to juggle multiple projects, navigate setbacks with resourceful solutions, and meet project timelines and budgets
- • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- • Clear written and oral communication with a strong collaborative mindset and creative approach to challenges. A successful candidate will be able to maintain a high degree of situational and political awareness including the ability to:
- + Communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively across a wide range of audiences, including senior leadership, peers, and external stakeholders
- + Exercise strong judgment in politically sensitive situations, understanding both formal decision-making processes and informal influence networks
- + Navigate complex organizational dynamics with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment
- + Anticipate stakeholder perspectives, sensitivities, and potential implications of decisions or communications
- + Build trust through credibility, active listening, and thoughtful follow-through
- • Ability to work independently with project partners in the field and in a standard office environment
- • Ability to work travel throughout the state of Minnesota; reliable transportation is required
- • Work occasional nights and weekends for community events
- • A degree or work experience in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Design/Planning, Parks and Recreation Management, or related profession
- • Experience working with youth and/or within public schools
- • Knowledge of or experience working with public grant funding, procurement, and prevailing wage
- • Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with people of diverse community members, elected representatives, and non-profit partners
- • Demonstrated cultural competency and understanding of environmental issues in under resourced communities
- • Demonstrated experience with community engagement, community organizing, stakeholder engagement, etc
- • Experience hiring and managing design professionals and construction contractors, providing oversight of independent contractors, budgets, contracts and project schedules
- • Understanding of horticulture and/or urban ecology
- • Basic computer and graphic design skills: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva
Benefits
- Hybrid work environment
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Vacation pay
- Sick pay
- Holidays
- Year-end office closure
- 403(b) retirement plan with currently up to a 7% company match
Company Overview
Company H1B Sponsorship