Hawai‘i Program Manager
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Parks for People Hawai‘i Program Manager will be responsible for the full range of activities associated with a 2+ year old Parks for People Program in Hawai‘i, with a pilot project at ‘A‘ala Park in Downtown Honolulu/Chinatown (70%) and developing a county and statewide parks program (30%). This position will play a key leadership role in developing and implementing a robust Parks for People program in Hawai‘i, will work closely with local Hawai‘i team, and will serve as a liaison to Trust for Public Land’s (TPL’s) national Parks for People staff/leadership.
The Program Manager will be responsible for working with the HI State Director, HI Director of Philanthropy, HI staff, HI board members, donors, and private and public partners to refine and implement community-building and community-driven strategies, improvements, and programs for ‘A‘ala Park to improve the health, well-being, and social cohesion of the surrounding diverse community (over 18,000 people live within a 10 minute walk of the park, with over 50% speaking a language other than English, and over 50% classified as low-income). The Program Manager will develop and cultivate key working partnerships with the public and private sector; lead the management and implementation of the ‘A‘ala Park project; lay the groundwork for a county and statewide parks program; secure public and private funding for the program and project in partnership with philanthropy staff; supervise contractors and interns; and advance equity, social justice and nature access through TPL’s on-the-ground projects, policy change, and public finance. The Program Manager works closely with key staff from Philanthropy, Marketing, Federal Affairs, Parks for People (and associated national programs) and Field Services to ensure alignment and coordination of the program with broader goals of the national organization.
The Program Manager will be based in the Honolulu office.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
QUALIFICATIONS
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, and a 403(b) retirement plan with iup to a 7% company matching. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range the range for this position is $75,000-85,000 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 welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets and experiences. Hybrid/remote work is possible.
The Parks for People Hawai‘i Program Manager will be responsible for the full range of activities associated with a 2+ year old Parks for People Program in Hawai‘i, with a pilot project at ‘A‘ala Park in Downtown Honolulu/Chinatown (70%) and developing a county and statewide parks program (30%). This position will play a key leadership role in developing and implementing a robust Parks for People program in Hawai‘i, will work closely with local Hawai‘i team, and will serve as a liaison to Trust for Public Land’s (TPL’s) national Parks for People staff/leadership.
The Program Manager will be responsible for working with the HI State Director, HI Director of Philanthropy, HI staff, HI board members, donors, and private and public partners to refine and implement community-building and community-driven strategies, improvements, and programs for ‘A‘ala Park to improve the health, well-being, and social cohesion of the surrounding diverse community (over 18,000 people live within a 10 minute walk of the park, with over 50% speaking a language other than English, and over 50% classified as low-income). The Program Manager will develop and cultivate key working partnerships with the public and private sector; lead the management and implementation of the ‘A‘ala Park project; lay the groundwork for a county and statewide parks program; secure public and private funding for the program and project in partnership with philanthropy staff; supervise contractors and interns; and advance equity, social justice and nature access through TPL’s on-the-ground projects, policy change, and public finance. The Program Manager works closely with key staff from Philanthropy, Marketing, Federal Affairs, Parks for People (and associated national programs) and Field Services to ensure alignment and coordination of the program with broader goals of the national organization.
The Program Manager will be based in the Honolulu office.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Work with the HI State Director and community stakeholders surrounding ‘A‘ala Park on community building and community driven strategies, improvements and programs for the park to improve the area’s health, well-being, and social cohesion. Build capacity of surrounding community to steward and maintain park improvements and programming in partnership with the City Parks Department. Use models from other parts of the nation to forge long-lasting and sustainable park/community collaborations. Approximately 70% of time in the next 2 years will be spent on ‘A‘ala Park. Approximately 30% of time will be spent identifying/launching potential new Parks for People project sites.
- Identify and work with TPL national programs and partners to secure multiple sources of public funds for mission delivery and implementation of the ‘A‘ala Park improvements and future county and statewide program.
- In close cooperation with the HI State Director and HI Director of Philanthropy, assist in the development of fundraising materials and proposals for foundations, corporations, and individual donors and participate in meetings with potential funders to provide information about the pilot project and statewide program and its plans.
- Identify, develop and cultivate high‐level partnerships and key relationships with political, corporate, public agency, non‐governmental organizations, civic leaders, funders and other partners around parks, schoolyards, green infrastructure, and impacts of our work to affordable housing, houselessness, climate and walkability.
- Represent the parks program internally and externally and help brand our work.
- Responsible for aligning the parks program with the strategic plan and serve as an effective collaborator within the matrix structure of the organization to bring national expertise and resources to the HI parks program.
- Leverage the national expertise in Park / Conservation Finance to identify, build support for and, if applicable, serve as local liaison for park funding measures.
- Leverage the national resources of Research & Innovation (e.g., Parkscore, Parkserve, Parkology) to bring data and GIS analysis capabilities to meet information needs.
- Continue to engage surrounding community in all aspects of work affecting the Park. Primary responsibility for developing strategy, either directly or by supervision of staff and/or consultants, for local governmental, community and public relations; and in conjunction with the HI State Director and Marketing, for local media relations related to the parks program.
- Oversee process of developing the community-driven Conceptual Plan into an actionable Construction Plan, working with a licensed architecture/engineering firm and the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks & Recreation and Department of Design & Construction.
- Work alongside Department of Parks & Recreation, City Council, and the Mayor’s Administration to donate the Conceptual Plan and Construction Plan to the City & County of Honolulu via a Gift Resolution and transfer Construction Administration responsibilities to the City.
- Assist Department of Parks & Recreation to revamp the Adopt-A-Park program to allow for greater and more efficient stewardship, volunteerism, activations, and programming at existing public parks and for a pathway to develop unused DPR lands.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to both manage complex projects, programs, and budgets and to create a strategic and coherent vision for long‐term leadership in building and/or renovating parks, trails, schoolyards, playgrounds and public spaces.
- Manage design, engineering, and construction consultants.
- Familiarity with urban planning, particularly park planning, landscape architecture and capital improvements and an understanding of urban environmental quality of life issues including parks and trails, environmental justice, brownfields, walkability, climate change, community development, and housing.
- Familiarity with advocacy and government relations needed to impact policy and funding, particularly in Hawai‘i.
- Excellent leadership, meeting facilitation, relationship building, collaboration, public speaking and communication skills.
- Experience in community organizing, coalition building, community capacity building, and working with community leaders, agency staff, elected officials and local media to promote and implement successful projects.
- Ability to build authentic and meaningful relationships with residents and leaders within Iwilei, Kalihi/Palama, and Downtown/Chinatown ʻAʻala Park community.
- Experience in collaborating and negotiating with diverse groups and interests in Hawai‘i, including communities of color and historically marginalized communities.
- An entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, energy, the capacity to lead, mentor and inspire others, and the capacity to be a high performer and a team player, with common sense and resiliency.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, including course work in urban planning, landscape architecture, and land use management. Master’s degree, ideal.
- Minimum 5-10 years related experience.
- Willingness to travel and attend evening and weekend meetings.
- Computer Proficiency: Microsoft Office, Excel and familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) and sophisticated spatial and data analysis.
- Computer proficiency: AutoCAD, Adobe CS and Microsoft Office; SketchUp a plus
- Fundraising and marketing skills a plus
- Non-profit experience desirable
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, and a 403(b) retirement plan with iup to a 7% company matching. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range the range for this position is $75,000-85,000 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 welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets and experiences. Hybrid/remote work is possible.
