Resilient Cities Program Manager, Spatial Informatics Group Natural Assets Laboratory

Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange; Albuquerque, Northern (NM, KY); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Spatial Informatics Group Natural Assets Laboratory is seeking a resilient cities program manager to advance GSI and urban forestry initiatives. The role focuses on coordinating diverse partners, developing outreach materials, and aligning activities with strategic goals.

The candidate should have strong communication, grant management experience, and the ability to work remotely in a multidisciplinary environment across the Southwest region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 5+ years in conservation, environmental research, or related work.
• Experience managing grant-funded projects in stormwater, urban resilience, or GSI.
• Ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders including government officials and community partners.
• Cross-disciplinary experience across architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, ecology, or GIS.
• Strong written/verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work remotely with willingness to learn new systems and tools.
• Experience working across diverse Southwest communities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse project portfolio spanning GSI and urban forestry initiatives.
• Serve as point of contact for nonprofit, agency, and community partners on resilient cities projects.
• Facilitate meetings (online, in-person, hybrid)—field trips, workshops, trainings.
• Develop education, outreach, and programmatic materials (handouts, flyers, social media, newsletters).
• Lead or support community engagement events and outreach; build strong partner relationships.
• Collaborate with program staff to align project activities with broader program goals and strategy.
• Oversee project implementation, ensuring on-time deliverables with partners.
• Manage project budgets (with Finance/supervisor support), grant compliance, invoicing.
• Track program accomplishments to inform reporting and planning.
• Identify funding opportunities and lead grant writing for project funds.
• May supervise staff, volunteers, or interns.
• Model SIG-NAL values—integrity, respect, professionalism.

Skills

Grant management

Stakeholder engagement

Remote collaboration

Cross-disciplinary work

Communication skills

Project governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field

Tools

GIS

MS Office

Data analysis software

Job description

Resilient Cities Program Manager, Spatial Informatics Group Natural Assets Laboratory

Organization/Grantor: Spatial Informatics Group Natural Assets Laboratory

Position/Title/Fund: Resilient Cities Program Manager

Type/Term: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Remote from Albuquerque, New Mexico

Salary: $72,000 - $93,600 per year

Deadline: October 18, 2026

Description:

SIG-NAL is a non-profit dedicated to advancing science, policy, and practice for resilient landscapes and communities. We pilot and scale innovations in environmental management that span urban and natural landscapes by connecting cutting-edge analytics with policy and planning to deliver solutions for a more resilient future. For over a decade, we’ve partnered with agencies on data-driven strategies for ecological restoration and nature-based solutions that benefit people and nature. Our work supports resilient cities, fire-adapted communities, sustainable land management, global conservation partnerships, environmental monitoring, and biodiversity conservation.

We believe that healthy urban landscapes are essential for thriving, equitable cities. By building long-lasting partnerships with communities, we facilitate the reimagining of urban environments as vibrant, multifunctional spaces that support people, plants, and wildlife. Our Resilient Cities Program fosters strong network connections across disciplines, enabling us to translate science into innovative policy and practice, creating lasting solutions that sustain cities and restore the natural systems they depend on.

The Program Manager will support the strategic initiatives of our Resilient Cities Program. The primary focus will be mainstreaming Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) in Cities and Towns across the Southwest US, and a secondary focus supporting state and local water policy. Some in-person meetings and fieldwork required. There may also be infrequent travel and occasional weekend or evening hours.

Desert Southwest communities face two linked challenges: intensifying urban heat and strained water supplies. GSI offers a direct answer to both. By directing stormwater runoff to trees and vegetation via passive rainwater harvesting, it turns a waste stream into a resource, cooling neighborhoods, replenishing soil moisture, and supporting conservation goals, while delivering co-benefits like better air quality, reduced flooding, and stronger community well-being.

Responsibilities: These examples do not include all possible tasks but provide an overview of expectations for this role.

• Manage a diverse project portfolio spanning GSI/urban forestry initiatives, municipal policy updates, and collaborative network facilitation.
• Serve as point of contact for nonprofit, agency, and community partners on resilient cities projects.
• Facilitate meetings (online, in-person, hybrid)—from small technical groups to large collaboratives—including field trips, workshops, and trainings.
• Develop education, outreach, and programmatic materials (handouts, fliers, social media, newsletters, blog/website content).
• Lead or support community engagement events and outreach; build strong partner relationships to advance cross-sector work.
• Collaborate with program staff to align project activities with broader program goals and strategy.
• Oversee project implementation, ensuring on-time deliverables in coordination with internal/external partners.
• Manage project budgets (with Finance/supervisor support), including grant compliance, reporting, subcontractor agreements, invoicing, and reimbursements.
• Track program accomplishments to inform reporting, planning, and continuous improvement.
• Identify funding opportunities and lead grant writing for project-specific funds aligned with the Strategic Plan.
• May supervise staff, volunteers, or interns.
• Model SIG-NAL values—integrity, respect, professionalism—in all partner, funder, and colleague interactions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, hydrology, biology, ecology, geography, horticulture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, or related field.
• 5+ years in conservation, environmental research, consulting, or related work.
• Experience managing grant-funded or contracted projects in stormwater management, healthy watersheds, natural resource management, wildlife, nature-based solutions, community forestry, urban climate resilience, and/or GSI.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively across diverse stakeholders: practitioners, government officials, partner organizations, tribal entities, the public, and SIG-NAL staff.
• Cross-disciplinary experience (architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, ecology, engineering, natural resource management, or GIS).
• Strong written/verbal communication and organizational skills; professional demeanor.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote setting with a willingness to learn new systems, tools, and software.
• Experience working across diverse communities, landscapes, and cultural contexts in the Southwest.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in engineering, biology, hydrology, ecology, horticulture, natural resource management, or related field.
• Advanced credentialing in good standing (PE, AIA, ASLA, APA, etc.).
• Watershed Management Group Certified Water Harvesting Design Practitioner or demonstrated rainwater harvesting/GSI experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Facilitator training or demonstrated experience.
• GIS data management and analysis experience.
• Proficiency with Adobe products (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) or similar graphic design software.
• Knowledge of Southwest plant communities.
• Strong technical writing and science communication skills.
• Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting—preferably in hydrology, water quality, or community-based conservation.