Job Opportunity: Trenton Area Program Manager

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New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) is seeking a Trenton Area Program Manager to support its urban action work in Trenton and other New Jersey cities.

Department: Land / Urban Action
Reports to: Senior Fellow for Conservation Justice
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Supervisory Responsibilities: none
Salary Range: $50,000–$60,000
Office: The Social Profit Center at Mill One, Hamilton, NJ
Work Environment: Hybrid, as directed by management. Frequent outdoor environment.

Job Summary

In cooperation with other staff, the Trenton Area Program Manager supports the Senior Fellow and other staff to develop and implement NJ Conservation Foundation’s urban action work, which prioritizes land preservation, green infrastructure investments, and community engagement in Trenton and other New Jersey cities as required and directed.

Key Responsibilities

The Trenton Area Program Manager will support green investments in the City of Trenton by:

• Creating a community culture dedicated to mitigating the effects of climate change and advocating for green investments in neighborhoods that provide cool, clean, safe spaces for residents.
• Coordinating expansion of the Trees for Trenton partnership initiative, planting additional shade trees along city streets and in parks and other public spaces, with support from the NJDEP Natural Climate Solutions Program, various grant sources and private donors.
• Enhancing the profile of NJ Conservation Foundation’s work and initiatives to engage the community and create a conservation justice movement through social media and other emerging strategies and tools.
• Facilitating the establishment of Micro Forests and Pollinator Meadows in Trenton and supporting similar efforts in other cities, as prescribed in NJCF’s Strategic Plan.
• Advocating for federal, state, and county green investments in Trenton, including but not limited to the Old Wharf, Capital Park, Capital City Farm, Assunpink Greenway, D&R Canal State Park and Circuit Trails implementation.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Developing and leading programs and initiatives that engage communities in nature, urban agriculture, the outdoors and the work of NJ Conservation Foundation.
• Supporting effective advocacy, communications, campaigns, and strategies to advance urban action goals in Trenton and other cities as needed.
• Helping build and support coalitions with partner organizations to build broader support for urban greening across the state.
• Preparing reports and supporting materials for NJCF board reports, committees, and NJCF publications.
• Assisting Development staff with grant proposals and reports.
• Communicating NJCF policy positions to target audiences, including elected officials, administrative agencies, media, and partner organizations in a credible, reasonable voice.
• Initiating and completing land transactions in Trenton and adjacent communities.
• Utilizing the NJ Conservation Blueprint, Tree Equity Score mapping and other planning tools to support work in Trenton.
• Coordinating with nonprofit partners, funders, and government agencies on policies, transactions, and funding strategies.
• Supporting the board’s Land Acquisition, Stewardship & Urban Action Committee as required.
• Providing up-to-date financial information to the Finance Department on all transactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in conservation, land use planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in urban planning, green infrastructure, or a related field.
• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with conservation and/or green infrastructure strategies.
• Interest in learning land preservation methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• Commitment to the mission of New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work well with staff, volunteers, partners, funders, public agencies, and landowners.
• Competence working with diverse organizations and individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to respond quickly and adapt to change.
• Knowledge of the New Jersey public policy arena, ideally including land protection and urban greening programs.
• Experience with research, analysis, and report preparation.
• Experience with iTree, Tree Equity Score, and other GIS-based systems.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Horticulture, Planning, Environmental Science, Public Policy or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of work experience in a related field.

Work Environment 

• Hybrid as directed by management
• Office Assignment: The Social Profit Center at Mill One, Hamilton, NJ
• Frequent Outdoor environment

Physical Requirements

• Occasional outdoor work planting trees, meadows, and gardens 
• Occasional outdoor work leading community walks and talks to engage communities
• Prolonged periods working at a desk and working on a computer
• Frequently sits for long periods
• Communicates, reads, writes, uses a computer, keyboard and phone
• Occasional standing, walking, lifting, stooping, and bending
• Occasional evening and weekend work
• Light travel

Other Responsibilities

Support NJ Conservation Foundation’s broader land conservation, stewardship, development, engagement, and communications work as needed.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume via this link: https://njconservation.bamboohr.com/careers/30

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Jersey Conservation Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.