Manager 1

Position Summary

The Minnesota Parks and Schoolyards program works with communities across the state to ensure everyone enjoys access to high-quality, close-to-home outdoor space. Employing a participatory design process, we plan, fund, build/renovate, and activate parks, schoolyards, and public spaces where they're needed most—in strong partnership with community and public partners. Our approach involves working closely with diverse partners with an emphasis on hope, respect, creativity, and mutual trust. The Parks and Schoolyards Manager 1 will be responsible for managing all phases of several park and schoolyard projects across Minnesota.

Essential Functions

• Community Schoolyard and Park Project Management - 70%

• 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

• Site Stewardship, Activation, and Maintenance - 15%

• 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

• Program and Organizational Support - 15%

• 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

Qualifications

• A 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

• Able to work independently with project partners in the field and in a standard office environment

• Able to work travel throughout the state of Minnesota; reliable transportation is required

• Work occasional nights and weekends for community events

Desired Experience, Education, and Skills

• 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