The Santa Cruz County Long-Term Recovery Group (SCCLTRG) is dedicated to supporting community preparedness and resilience against wildfires. Through our new Measure Q-funded wildfire mitigation initiative , we are launching an innovative program that intersects environmental safety with social equity. This program creates critical "Zone 0" defensible space for vulnerable, underrepresented residents while providing professional vocational pathways for local workers. We are seeking an operational, community-minded Wildfire Resilience Program Manager to spearhead this high-impact project. In this role, you will bridge the gap between administrative grant management and active field leadership. You will manage a dedicated field team including a Field Assistant and a California Emergency Response Corps member, coordinate national volunteer strike teams and California Conservation Corps involvement, and oversee a vital workforce development partnership with the Community Action Board (CAB) Day Labor Center to support local trainee stipends and certifications.

Key Responsibilities Program Leadership:

Serve as the primary administrative lead for the Measure Q grant, ensuring all deliverables, performance metrics, and data reporting are executed on schedule.

Partner & Subcontractor Coordination:

Actively collaborate with nonprofit partner to ensure workforce development trainee recruitment, certification tracking, and stipend administration occurs in accordance with the contract.

Team Supervision:

Directly manage, mentor, and evaluate one full-time Field Assistant and one California Emergency Response Corps member.

Logistics Oversight:

Oversee logistics coordination for incoming volunteer strike teams.

Asset Management:

Oversee procurement, allocation and maintenance tracking for capital assets and field tools.

Safety Compliance:

Partner with the Field Assistant to ensure strict adherence to OSHA guidelines, field safety protocols, and the deployment of PPE and safety gear.

Qualifications & Experience Experience:

Minimum 5 years of experience in program management within disaster preparedness, environmental forestry/wildfire mitigation and non-profit programming. Experience with workforce development is a plus.

Leadership:

Proven experience managing teams, supervising staff and experience mentoring AmeriCorps/volunteer cohorts.

Community-Minded:

Demonstrated commitment to equity, with experience working alongside historically marginalized, underrepresented, or vulnerable populations.

Operational Skills:

Strong budget management skills and comfort with grant tracking metrics. Familiarity with field operations, tool handling, or landscape/forestry logistics is a strong plus.

Communication:

Exceptional collaborative skills to manage a wide network of partners ranging from day labor advocates and national volunteer partners to government and fire agency personnel.

Licensure:

Added explicit requirement for a valid Driver's License and clean driving record

Professional Growth:

Willingness to obtain and maintain job-related certifications and complete employer-funded training as required.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

Ability to walk, hike, and navigate steep, uneven, unpaved, or heavily vegetated terrain. Ability to lift, carry, and push tools, equipment, or brush up to 40-50 lbs. Capacity to perform physical labor outdoors in varying weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, and dust. Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods.

Schedule:

8-hour shift. Monday to Friday with occasional weekend flexibility.

Work Location:

Main office in Santa Cruz County with frequent travel to local project sites. Mileage/travel reimbursement provided.

Pay:

Up to $71,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health insurance Paid time off

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

Program management: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

Drivers Licence (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Ben Lomond, CA 95005 (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person