California Seed Production

Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Senior Manager, California Seed Production, to join our Resilient Forests team.

What You’ll Do

As part of the team, you will develop and execute projects and partnerships, working in close collaboration with USFS staff; manage field staff and related logistics for personnel supported by the USFS Agreement, including staff planning, recruitment, and hiring as applicable; and support grant and agreement administration, including invoicing, reporting, and grant writing. 

Major responsibilities include: 

Seed Orchard Operations Support (40%)

• Compile and manage data relating to the seed orchard’s production and inventory, support with database maintenance.
• Maintain current and develop new standard processes and procedures for the seed orchard’s future production.
• Support orchard tree health through culling, pruning, mowing, weeding, fertilizing, trunk protection, and pest management practices including pesticide use and animal control methods.
• Complete cone crop forecasting, monitoring, collection, and sanitization.
• Maintain the seed orchard’s irrigation system which includes hooking up and moving metal/PVC pipe and also cutting/gluing sprinkler systems.
• Tow trailers and operate various equipment with provided training including: a farm tractor with implements, self-driven industrial mower, ATVs/UTVs.
• Conduct basic equipment maintenance with provided training.
• Identify and tag trees for recordkeeping purposes.
• Chainsaw, polesaw, and weed eating duties.

Project Management (25%)

• Oversee field and safety logistics for direct reports, ensuring that staff have the requisite safety training, and that safety practices are aligned with organizational requirements.
• Coordinate with AF and USDA Forest Service on protocols, templates, and best practices.
• Build and maintain relationships with USFS on behalf of American Forests, including facilitation of and/or attendance at partner meetings.
• Work with the California Director to advance reforestation efforts, plans, partnerships, and/or agreements on National Forest System (NFS) lands.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of trends, best practices, scientific research, and new developments in silviculture, reforestation, forestry, and natural resource management.

Supervisory Duties (20%)

• Oversee American Forests’ staff-led efforts at NFS seed orchards. These could include data management and analysis; orchard operations; cone collections; seed processing, testing, and sowing; nursery growing operations, and more.
• Supervise seasonal and full-time permanent employees, including timesheet and leave approvals, performance assessments, assistance with administrative processes, etc.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training for additional staff as needed.

Grant Management/Administration (10%) 

• Work with AF staff on administrative tasks, including budgeting, preparing invoice documentation, documenting match, submitting reimbursements and supporting grant/agreement modifications.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Support complementary efforts that advance reforestation-related outcomes on behalf of NFS.
• Assist AF staff in the delivery of relevant in-person meetings, conferences, and events.
• Conduct public presentations at conferences and meetings as appropriate and relevant.
• Plan and lead site visits and field tours as appropriate.

What We’re Looking For

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, horticulture, natural resources, wildlife management, or other related field with at least three (3) years of experience; or a Masters degree in relevant field with at least two (2) years of experience.
• Experience supervising teams of people, ideally in field-based and remote environments.
• Forestry or horticultural experience preferred, specifically related to seed orchard operations.
• Working knowledge and experience in project and partnership management. Partnership or project experience with USFS preferred.
• Strong organization, project management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possess a current First Aid certification or be willing to be sponsored in obtaining.
• Experience with GPS and GIS used for mapping and geospatial data analysis.
• A valid driver’s license, as frequent travel to work sites is required.
• California Registered Professional Forester and/or Society of American Foresters Certified Forester or ability to sit for next qualifying exam preferred.
• Experience in contract oversight and administration preferred.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

Reporting and Supervision

The Senior Manager will report to the California Regional Director and will directly supervise up to three (3) personnel based on-site at NFS seed orchards at any given time. Direct reports will have both full-time permanent and seasonal status. 

The Senior Manager will support their direct reports in completing on-the-ground project planning and implementation-related tasks. Close coordination with the USDA Forest Service and AF staff regarding scheduling, training, employee and direct report performance evaluations, among other items, will be required. 

Compensation, Benefits & Working Conditions

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budget salary range is between $60,000 and $80,000 annually.  

The Senior Manager must live in or near Chico, CA and will be expected to work ~40% of the time in person at the USFS Chico Seed Orchard, with hours varying depending on the season. Aside from this, the Senior Manager will not report to a physical office space; non-field-related work may be completed remotely. The Senior Manager will be expected to travel reasonable distances to other NFS seed orchards with AF staff. This position may require up to 25% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C. 

Office work will include, but is not limited to, prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer (recordkeeping, contract administration, attending meetings, writing reports, and emailing). When onsite at the seed orchard(s), required work will be conducted almost entirely outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and wind. This job requires moderately strenuous physical effort including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; physical exertion in rugged terrain; walking, standing, stooping, bending, twisting; and working in manlifts at heights for extended periods of time. The use of personal protective equipment will be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Our benefits package includes:

Health and Wellness

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Pet Benefits

Work-Life Balance

• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Bonding Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave

Financial and Retirement

• 401(k) 5% Match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Technology Stipend

Our Core Competencies

Attitude – Communication – Organization – Problem-Solving & Creativity – Representing the Organization 

The Team 

Our Resilient Forests department connects the best available science, networks, and place-based implementation to protect and restore landscapes threatened by a wide variety of stressors for the benefit of people, water, wildlife and climate. Through our partnership with the USDA Forest Service, American Forests is addressing reforestation needs in multiple regions of the United States.

About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years. 

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.