Program Manager I: Active Transportation (Watsonville) Bilingual English/Spanish Required - Ecology Action
Watsonville, CA
About the Job
Join Our Team
Are you passionate about promoting active and sustainable transportation? Join Ecology Action's Community Programs team as a Program Manager and help us educate, encourage, and empower communities to choose healthier and more sustainable ways to travel.
About Ecology Action
Ecology Action is dedicated to fostering individual safety and well-being through school and community-based programs. We envision an equitable and connected community where everyone has the education and resources to confidently choose active and sustainable transportation, leading to joy, health, and climate resilience for a thriving planet.
About the Role
As a Program Manager, you will administer a portfolio of grant-funded education and outreach projects. You will supervise a team of approximately three Program Coordinators based in Watsonville, California, focusing on promoting safe biking and walking. Watsonville, known as the "Strawberry Capital of the World," is a priority climate justice community with a predominantly Hispanic/Latinx population. Your role will involve ensuring all aspects of grant contract setup, implementation, tracking, and reporting meet funder expectations.
What You'll Be Doing
- Staff Management: Recruit, onboard, supervise, and mentor staff. Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development.
- Budget Management: Collaborate with program managers and budget analysts to create and manage budgets. Ensure accurate budget accounting and appropriate expenditure.
- Resource Management: Develop and maintain a system for tracking, using, storing, and maintaining program resources. Ensure team members have necessary materials and supplies.
- Risk Management: Implement risk management policies and protocols. Ensure team compliance with required training and incident management.
- Stakeholder Communication: Lead communication with external partners, including funders, collaborators, subcontractors, stakeholders, community members, and the media. Maintain strategic relationships and collaborate with internal stakeholders.
- Program Design & Implementation: Work with program managers on program design and implementation planning, incorporating data to ensure innovation and best practices.
- Program Delivery: Manage program delivery for all initiatives, ensuring timely completion of project deliverables. Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate front-line staff efforts.
- Program Evaluation: Lead evaluation efforts for initiatives, including data scrutiny and reporting. Utilize evaluation data to guide program improvement.
What We're Looking For
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Experience supervising/managing staff.
- Experience with project management and administration, including budget management.
- Experience in education and/or outreach settings.
- Experience with grant contract management.
- Community engagement experience.
- Thoughtful leadership and strong coaching/mentoring skills.
- Detail-oriented project management with accountability for contract goals and timelines.
- Exceptional communication skills in English and Spanish.
- Understanding of education/outreach best practices and data-driven program improvement.
- Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Valid driver license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in the active transportation sector.
- Experience working with schools/teachers.
- Experience with data collection, organization, analysis, and presentation.
Work Environment
- Ability to sit, stand, talk, hear, and use a computer keyboard and monitor regularly.
- Ability to bend, lift, and carry objects up to 30 pounds.
- Ability to work effectively in a remote/hybrid environment.
- Occasional early mornings and evenings required.
Are You Ready?
Don't meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.