Urban Forestry Project Manager

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Life insurance

PTO

Health Care FSA

Job summary

Great River Greening is seeking an Urban Forestry Project Manager to lead day-to-day implementation of CMC partner relations and contracts across Minnesota. The role centers on project management, budget tracking, and ensuring timely planting, watering, and maintenance work.

You will work with the Urban Forestry Specialist and Program Manager to monitor deliverables, manage contracts, and keep partners informed. This is a temporary, full-time role with hybrid work and travel within the state.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or related field; 3+ years in PM, contract administration, or coordination.
• Experience managing multiple contracts/projects with budgets and timelines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to report on a portfolio.
• Experience with budget monitoring, invoicing, or financial reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with external partners.
• Valid driver's license; ability to travel overnight in Minnesota.
• Preferred: grant-funded contracts experience; urban forestry/conservation familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for CMC partners from contract signing through project delivery.
• Track deliverables, timelines, milestones, and flag risks to keep projects on schedule.
• Manage budgets across the partner portfolio and prepare budget reports for internal and funder review.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage watering and maintenance contracts with vendors.
• Coordinate with the Urban Forestry Specialist to align obligations with field activity.
• Support tree planting events including logistics and day-of activities.
• Maintain records of contract status, budgets, and deliverables; prepare progress reports.
• Assist with contract close-out and final reporting.

Skills

Project management

Contract administration

Budget monitoring

Communication

Data management

Travel

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree or related field

Job description

Urban Forestry Project Manager

Great River Greening

About Great River Greening

Great River Greening (Greening) is a leading environmental restoration nonprofit with a mission to inspire, engage, and lead local communities in conserving and caring for the land and water that enrich our lives. Since our start, our small but mighty team has restored more than 60,000 acres of lands across Minnesota and aims to restore another 40,000 in the next five years. At Great River Greening we offer flexibility, a friendly work culture, supportive Board of Directors, and opportunities to grow.

Urban Forestry Program

Great River Greening aims to expand tree canopies, empower communities, and increase equitable access to green spaces across Minnesota. As the recent recipient of a 5-year, $10 million grant from the USDA Forest Service for the Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC) project (federal grant ends mid 2029), we are increasing equitable access to the urban tree canopy by planting, distributing, and maintaining trees on city property, school campuses, public housing, community sites, regional parks, and residential homes across communities identified as in-need of tree canopy improvement via the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.

Position Description

The Urban Forestry Project Manager will manage the day-to-day implementation of confirmed CMC partner relations and contracts, keeping planting, watering, and maintenance work on schedule and on budget once agreements are signed. This position focuses on the project management of Great River Greening's existing municipal and community partnerships. Working closely with the Urban Forestry Specialist and Program Manager, this role tracks contract deliverables and budgets, manages watering and maintenance contracts and plans, and serves as the primary point of contact for partners once a project is underway. This is an implementation and project management role, not a technical forestry position; a background in arboriculture is not required.

This is a Temporary full-time position through the end of the USDA grant period (mid 2029).

This is an exempt, full-time position with benefits including health, dental, 401k, LTD, Dependent Care, Health Care FSA, life insurance, and a PTO plan. The salary range for this role is $55,000 - $62,000 annually. Great River Greening offers a flexible workplace, and staff are currently working hybrid-remotely. This position will require occasional overnight travel within the state.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Partner Contract and Project Management (75%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for CMC partners once a contract is signed, managing the relationship through the life of the project. This includes existing partners.
• Track deliverables, timelines, and milestones for each confirmed partner contract, flagging risks and keeping projects on schedule.
• Manage project budgets across the partner portfolio: monitor spending, process and track invoices, reconcile expenses against contract terms, and prepare budget reports for internal and funder review.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage watering and maintenance contracts and plans with vendors and partners, ensuring planted trees receive the care called for in each agreement.
• Coordinate with the Urban Forestry Specialist to align contract obligations, watering schedules, and maintenance plans with field activity and planting timelines.
• Support all aspects of tree planting events, including logistics, technical and operational aspects, and leading day of event activities.
• Maintain accurate records of contract status, budgets, and deliverables across all active partnerships, and prepare regular progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and resolve contract or budget issues as they arise, escalating to the Program Manager when needed.
• Support contract close-out, including final reporting and documentation.

Other Project Guidance (25%)

• Participate within the Conservation Team and Tree Team to organize, implement, and evaluate strategic goals.
• Support the Program Manager in transitioning newly signed contracts into active implementation.
• Support other Great River Greening projects as needed.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or a related field and 3+ years of experience in project management, contract administration, or program coordination. Extensive relevant experience can be substituted for formal education.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple contracts or projects simultaneously, including budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to track and report on a portfolio of active agreements.
• Experience with budget monitoring, invoice processing, or financial reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience working directly with external partners or clients.
• A valid driver's license.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Office suite; comfort learning data management or project tracking systems.
• Ability to travel overnight throughout the State of Minnesota.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing grant-funded or government-funded contracts.
• Familiarity with urban forestry, arboriculture, natural resources, or conservation project work.
• Experience working with municipal partners or community stakeholders.
• Experience with data management or project management systems.
• Working knowledge of Minnesota conservation organizations and government agencies.