Program Coordinator - California Parks for People

At TPL, we're a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. ​We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we're an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.

One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. If you feel the same, join us! 


POSITION SUMMARY:
The California Program Coordinator provides strategic and high-level administrative support for Trust for Public Land California’s Create team. This dependable team member handles cross-California project needs, coordination, event management, communications support, and interactions with TPL staff and external stakeholders. The coordinator is familiar with the team’s current projects, and directly supports Program Directors and Project Managers in both our San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, and performs general administrative duties, such as coordinating travel, scheduling of meetings, expense and invoice filing, note taking, and file organization. The position calls for stellar interpersonal skills, high level organizational skills, flexibility, dependability, and a collaborative spirit. Local travel to project sites and occasional travel within California will be required. Preferably, the Coordinator is based in the LA area, working from our Pasadena office, however, strong candidates from the San Francisco Bay Area will be considered as well.

Essential Functions:

Parks for People Team and Program Support (approximately 50% LA and 50% BA):
  • Assist with the preparation of speaking engagements; provide light research, gather graphic and image materials, produce PowerPoint presentations.
  • Create organizational systems, assist with the establishment of priorities and facilitate the accomplishment of key tasks.
  • Assist Program Directors with inter-office and inter-departmental project and event coordination.
  • Plan and organize team and state level meetings, both in-person and virtually; book facilities, make meeting, travel and other logistical arrangements, schedule conference calls and/or moderately complex virtual links.
  • Serve as the Parks for People point of contact for TPL California, for national TPL staff, and for external stakeholders.
  • Support Project Managers in the drafting, processing, and administration of Requests for Proposals, Contracts and other agreements that support the work of outdoor recreational space development.
  • Prepare and track ongoing invoices and accounts and coordinate check request processing.
  • Support event planning such as ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, convenings, and community engagement events, including but not limited to procuring catering services, researching and booking locations, creating digital invites, etc.
  • Support Project Management staff with oversight of smaller projects such as community-based art or gardening projects.
  • Act as lead note taker for large internal and external meetings and scan/organize sign-in sheets for meetings and events.
  • Help program staff with research needs and research summaries.
  • Work with program team and national marketing/communications team to prepare and distribute mailings, collateral, e-news, social media and other marketing and communications materials.
  • Actively participate in and provide updates at regular staff meetings.
  • Provide support to TPL staff as needed for quarterly California Advisory board meetings and monthly Senior Leadership Team meetings.
  • Participate in California staff and TPL national retreats
  • Perform duties required of all staff to support smooth internal operations such as submitting timely expense reports and timesheets.
  • Manage the Los Angeles email account for general public inquiries.
  • General office management, given in-person and remote settings, including maintaining supplies, equipment, and work with related vendors.
  • Act as main point of contact for all IT needs and issues with appropriate staff/vendors as needed.
  • Create and maintain processes for the improved work flow efficiency of the office.
  • Work closely with State Director’s Executive Assistant for meeting and event coordination.
  • At times, provide administrative support directly to the California State Director, including assistance with scheduling, communications, travel, expenses and various research and reporting.
Qualifications:
  • Minimum two, and preferably four years of relevant experience in administrative and organizational support.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work well with others including different functional areas within California as well as national departments.
  • Excellent organizational abilities, attention to detail, promptness and dependability.
  • Ability to work with a high degree of self-direction and flexibility, especially with respect to taking initiative, prioritizing multiple tasks, and using good judgment to resolve problems.
  • Excellent computer skills, familiarity with and ability to use in-place and new technology to advance efficiency in workflow and office organization.
  • Experience managing remote communications technology, advanced familiarity with Microsoft Teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to employ sensitivity and discretion in handling confidential information with tact and professionalism.
  • Committed to the mission of Trust for Public Land to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy and livable communities for generations to come.

As a full-time, non-exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land's comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, sick and holiday time (including a one-week winter break), and a 403(b) retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the range for this position is $57,000 to $62,000 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. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.