Forest Health & Restoration Program Manager

Employer: Napa County Resource Conservation District

Position Title: Forest Health & Restoration Program Manager

Reports to: Program Director, Forest Health & Restoration

Work Location: Napa, California

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (1.0 FTE). This at-will position is fully funded for one year, and continued employment is contingent on additional funding. Continued funding is expected

Starting Annual Salary Range: $111,122 to $117,889 (dependent on experience)

Napa County Resource Conservation District (Napa RCD) is seeking a Forest Health & Restoration Program Manager to help shape the future of our forests and watersheds. This position will provide leadership and strategy for Napa RCD’s Forest Health and Restoration Programs, working closely with the Executive Director and Program Directors to align strategies, manage operations, and ensure project success through strong planning, budgeting, staff supervision, and partner collaboration.

This new position will play a key role in turning bold ideas into action, guiding a growing team, managing complex projects, and collaborating with partners to drive measurable change on the landscape. The Program Manager will lead the design and execution of high-impact, multi-benefit projects that protect and restore Napa County’s natural resources—from enhancing forest health and wildfire resilience to restoring native habitat across diverse ecosystems to removing fish passage barriers.

If you're a detail-oriented program manager who thrives in a collaborative environment, is driven by a passion for conservation, and energized by the opportunity to lead transformative environmental work, we want to hear from you! Come grow with us—and help shape a more resilient, thriving Napa County.

Organizational Background and Mission

Napa RCD was established in 1945 as a non-regulatory agency that connects communities and individuals to the technical, financial, and educational resources they need to be excellent stewards of land, water, soil, and other natural resources. Our team consists of administrative professionals and conservation scientists who are skilled at developing, implementing, and monitoring many different types of projects. Learn more at http://naparcd.org/.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide program leadership and strategy, leading the development and execution of multiple projects and initiatives that align with program objectives and organizational strategy.
• Support grant writing, fund development, and partnership development efforts to sustain program momentum.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including budgets and resource allocation, team and contractor coordination, internal and external stakeholder engagement, and reporting.
• Represent Napa RCD and it’s programming at community meetings, collaborations, and events.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to ensure project alignment with local ecological needs, best practices, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain program-related equipment, data analysis tools, and reporting mechanisms.
• Supervise and support staff, ensuring safety and fostering a culture of accountability and growth.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent coursework in environmental science, biology, natural resource management, or a related field, plus 5 years of related experience at the project manager level and above.
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Specialty certifications such as Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) or other relevant certifications, are preferred.
• Strong proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Fluency in Spanish is desired.
• Must successfully complete a background check.

Essential Physical Requirements

The role demands constant alertness, safe work practices, frequent computer use, and extended seating. It involves outdoor work in varied conditions, physical activities like lifting up to 30 pounds, and comprehensive vision capabilities. Frequent travel within Napa County and occasional travel beyond are required, with reasonable accommodations available upon request.

Work Environment

The work environment includes both office and field settings, with noise levels ranging from quiet to moderate in office spaces and potentially moderate to loud at field sites due to equipment. Remote work locations must support professional video meetings with minimal distractions. The role requires frequent fieldwork in outdoor settings with uneven terrain and inclement weather, occasional evening and weekend work, travel to field sites, and occasional off-road driving.

Please click here to view the detailed job description.

Why Join Napa RCD?

Impact: Contribute directly to the success of vital conservation projects that benefit the environment and local communities.

Growth: Be part of an expanding organization that is focused on increasing its reach and impact.

Culture: Work in a positive, inclusive, and collaborative environment with a team that values your contributions.

Competitive Salary: Starting annual salary range is between $111,122 to $117,889, commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications.

Excellent Benefits: Napa RCD’s full-time employees receive paid holiday, sick, and vacation leave, CalPERS retirement benefits, fully employer-paid health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance plans, cell phone stipend, and access to a voluntary deferred compensation program.

Napa RCD believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

Napa RCD is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of communities we serve and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Napa RCD encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.