Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that advances equitable access to high-quality outdoor spaces to help strengthen and connect communities. TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,364 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $93 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors.

Nationwide, TPL is leading a movement to transform paved and underinvested schoolyards into vibrant, green play spaces, and to open schoolyards to the public after school hours. TPL has transformed more than 300 schoolyards, with 15 complete in Philadelphia and Camden. TPL has recently launched a new program to support stewardship, engagement, and activation at these schoolyards, and seeks a Program Manager to support this program’s implementation and development.

The Stewardship Program includes engagement and coordination with a breadth of partners including school leaders and faculty, Community-Based Organizations, public agencies, and nonprofits working in community development, education, and climate resiliency. The primary objectives of the Stewardship Program are to 1) build stewardship capacity at all TPL Community Schoolyards in Philadelphia and Camden, 2) support activation and engagement of community partners around TPL parks and schoolyards, and 3) improve communication, coordination, and collaboration among partners to care for these outdoor assets. The Philadelphia team has completed considerable planning for the Stewardship Program, which the new Program Manager will implement and develop further as this new program matures.

The Program Manager will join the Philadelphia field team, reporting to the Pennsylvania Program Director. The field team is collaborative, supportive, and integrated in a nationwide organization that offers enriching and broad expertise. We are passionate about delivering critical impact with creativity, resolve, and fun.

Responsibilities:

Stewardship Program Management- 60%

• Plan and implement environmental stewardship and educational events that support the health and longevity of TPL’s parks and schoolyards and empower volunteers with the skills and enthusiasm needed to care for their green spaces.
• Assess and document the current activities undertaken by community partners that support engagement, activation, and stewardship at TPL Community Schoolyards in Philadelphia
• Empower students, partners and residents to use and care for their parks and schoolyards through hands-on education and engagement
• Regularly visit TPL sites across Philadelphia and Camden.
• Support coordination between School District staff, parents, students, and community groups that use and care for Community Schoolyard sites.
• Write and distribute regular communication materials
• Collaborate with TPL colleagues, both locally and nationally, to leverage their expertise and capacities in areas including community engagement, climate resiliency, community health, public space design and construction, and equity.

Stewardship Program Advancement: 30%

• Identify areas for Stewardship Program improvement and growth at TPL parks and schoolyards
• Strengthen partnerships with local and regional non-profits and public agencies
• Collaborate with TPL colleagues to articulate the impact of our Stewardship Program for external audiences, including public and private funders.

Schoolyard Development and Engagement: 10%

• Support planning and implementation of TPL’s Participatory Design work, where students and community members design their future park or schoolyard to meet the unique needs and culture of their community
• Support planning and implementation of other community events include project groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, and clean-up days.

Desired Experience, Education, and Skills:
While no one candidate will have all the criteria specified below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may differ in qualifications and experience than what we have outlined. If you believe you’re the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.
 

• Passion for supporting equitable access to high-quality outdoor spaces
• Knowledge of Philadelphia and/or Camden neighborhoods and communities
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent lines of communication with a variety of partner organizations and individuals
• Strong organizational skill and focus to detail, with an ability to maintain perspective for a long-term project plan
• Knowledge and practical experience in the care of plants, trees, gardens, or the built environment
• Experience engaging stakeholders around a shared community interest, preferably associated with public education settings
• Educational background and/or 4 years of prior work experience in a related field
• Excellent oral communication skills, including teaching adults and children, and active listening.
• Ability to produce clear and compelling communications materials, including reports, presentations, and promotions
• Enthusiasm for working with internal and external colleagues who contribute a variety of skills, life experiences, and points of view
• Proficiency with English and one other language preferred.

TPL has moved to a hybrid work model with a mix of in-office, field, and remote work. This position requires in-office work for a minimum of two days in TPL’s Philadelphia office, with more in-person time required during onboarding. This position requires occasional ‘off-hours’ work including weekend and evening meetings and events.  The position will involve fieldwork and project management statewide including occasional regional travel. A valid driver’s license is required.

As a full-time, exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, holidays, Summer Fridays, and a 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $65,000-$72,000 annually.
 
Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities, it encourages candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets and experiences to apply.