Advancement Director, Special Programs

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 50,000 acres of lands across Minnesota and aims to restore another 50,000 in the next five years. At Great River Greening we offer flexibility, a friendly work culture, supportive Board of Directors, and opportunities to grow.

Great River Greening values Science, Community-Centered Conservation, Partnership, and Education. Great River Greening is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the principals of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability, and to cultural engagement, within our organization, within our environmental sector, and in the communities where we live and work.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Associate Director, Special Programs reports to the Conservation Director and manages Great River Greening’s programs that operate outside the regional restoration model: Urban & Community forestry and Greening Solutions (fee-for-service). These programs share common characteristics — they are crew-intensive, operationally complex, and require close coordination of field staff, equipment, and scheduling.

This role is responsible for ensuring these programs run efficiently, that crews are well-managed and safely deployed, and that the fee-for-service arm operates on a sustainable business model. This position also serves as a bridge between field operations and the broader conservation team, coordinating with regional Program Managers on shared resources and with the Environmental Stewardship department on community-facing programming.

This position has an annual salary range of $80,000-$85,000. In addition, Great River Greening offers a generous benefits plan that includes health, dental, 401k, LTD, Dependent Care and Health Care FSA, life insurance, 14 paid holidays, and a PTO plan. Emphasizing our flexible workplace, staff are currently working hybrid-remotely.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Field Operations and Crew Management

• Oversee the planning, scheduling, and execution of field work across Urban & Community, Greening Solutions, and Biochar programs, ensuring crews are deployed safely and efficiently.
• Manage shared equipment, vehicle, and material logistics across programs.
• Ensure all field staff maintain current safety certifications and training; develop and enforce safety protocols and standard operating procedures for crew-based work.
• Coordinate crew scheduling and resource sharing with regional Program Managers to maximize capacity during peak seasons.
• Monitor and improve operational efficiency across all three programs, identifying bottlenecks and implementing process improvements.

2. Program Management

• Directly supervise the Program Manager for Urban & Community and the Greening Solutions Manager, providing regular check-ins, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Oversee and ensure that Urban & Community’s tree planting operations, tree care technician work, and urban forestry programming are well-coordinated and meeting partner commitments.
• Ensure Greening Solutions operates as a financially sustainable fee-for-service program, including pricing strategy, client relationship management, proposal development, and project delivery.
• Develop and track program budgets, quarterly projections, and grant deliverables for all three programs.
• Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and procurement for field services.

3. Cross-Program Coordination

• Serve as the liaison between field operations and the conservation department’s regional programs, ensuring efficient use of shared resources including crews, equipment, and seasonal staff.
• Coordinate with the Environmental Stewardship Director on community-facing elements of Urban & Community programming, including volunteer events and education initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Conservation Director on strategic direction for special programs and alignment with organizational goals.
• Work with the Advancement Director to ensure field services outcomes and stories are communicated for fundraising and public engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong experience managing field crews, including scheduling, safety, logistics, and performance management in an outdoor/environmental setting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with different operational models (grant-funded, fee-for-service, pilot/initiative).
• Business acumen for managing a fee-for-service operation, including pricing, client management, and financial sustainability.
• Knowledge of urban forestry practices, tree planting operations, and/or habitat restoration techniques.
• Familiarity with biochar production and application, carbon sequestration practices, or willingness to develop expertise.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to operational detail.
• Effective communicator who can coordinate across teams with different priorities and work styles.
• Budget development and grant reporting experience.
• Valid driver’s license required; comfort with regular field site visits across the metro and greater Minnesota.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, forestry, urban planning, or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience managing field operations, crews, or outdoor programs.
• At least 2 years of direct staff supervision experience.
• Experience with fee-for-service or contract-based environmental services strongly preferred.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Submit cover letter addressing qualifications, resume, and any references by e-mail to: Ameera Meri at ameri@greatrivergreening.org. No phone calls, please. Applicants reviewed as received. See www.greatrivergreening.org for more information.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Saint Paul, MN 55107 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Saint Paul, MN 55107: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Saint Paul, MN 55107