Director of Green Infrastructure

The Director of Green Infrastructure provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and financial management for TreePeople’s Green Infrastructure programs and projects. This role ensures initiatives advance TreePeople’s mission, strategic vision, and core objectives by organizing communities around nature-based solutions that deliver multiple environmental and social benefits.

Programs led by the Director contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation of the urban heat island (UHI) effect, improved water supply and water quality, flood and wildfire risk reduction, habitat creation, expanded recreational opportunities, workforce development, and increased environmental equity across communities. The Director oversees program strategy, staff, partnerships, and funding while representing TreePeople with public agencies, philanthropic partners, and community Stakeholders.

Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for all Green Infrastructure

programs and projects.

Lead strategic planning and develop annual and multi-year work plans aligned

with TreePeople’s mission, vision, impact goals, and program priorities.

Identify and advance strategic initiatives that expand TreePeople’s impact and

leadership in green infrastructure and climate resilience and grow and sustain the

green infrastructure portfolio

Represent TreePeople externally and cultivate partnerships with city, county,

state, and federal agencies, elected officials, philanthropic partners, and

community stakeholders.

Oversee department operations, ensuring effective systems, staffing, and

performance.

Align program strategy with grant requirements, budgets, and organizational capacity to ensure projects are feasible, fundable, and deliverable.

Lead coordination across TreePeople’s departments, including Education, Conservation, Forestry, Marketing and Communications, and Policy, into green infrastructure project while ensuring green infrastructure expertise supports and informs projects across TreePeople.

Provide high-level oversight of design quality and consistency across all projects, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and regulatory frameworks.

Establish design standards, best practices, and technical guidance to be implemented by Design Principals and project teams

Serve as the final escalation point for complex design challenges and regulatory issues, supporting Design Principals in resolving issues that exceed project-level decision-making.

Serve as Landscape Architect of Record as needed, providing professional seal

and stamp for plans and specifications and ensure all stamped documents meet applicable codes, permitting requirements, and agency standards

Serve as the final internal authority on complex or high-impact design decisions that greatly affect scope, budget, schedule, or regulatory compliance.

Provide high-level oversight of regulatory and agency coordination across projects, supporting the project teams in navigating approvals, permitting, and compliance requirements.

Lead and participate in high-level agency engagement on complex, sensitive, or

high-impact issues, guiding the resolution of regulatory challenges that affect project scope, schedule, budget, and design.

Oversee the performance of a portfolio of green infrastructure projects.

Establish and maintain portfolio-level systems and metrics to track progress across scope, schedule, budget, and outcomes.

Review project status regularly with Design Principals and Operations Manager

Identify and resolve high-level project issues that impact project delivery, including design, funding, and operational constraints

Support cross-project coordination and prioritization, ensuring resources are allocated effectively across projects.

Collaborate with the Operations Manager to ensure accurate tracking of

schedules, budgets, and deliverables, and that systems support effective decision making.

Provide oversight of external consultants across all projects, ensuring alignment with project goals, budgets, and organizational standards

Review and approve consultant scopes of work, contracts, and major deliverables

Monitor consultant performance and address escalates issues related to quality, scope, schedule, or cost

Support resolution of complex consultant related challenges, including scope gaps, contract disputes, and budget impacts

Lead, supervise, and evaluate Green Infrastructure Department staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, contract deliverables, and internal policies.

Facilitate regular team meetings to coordinate project implementation, support staff development, and monitor progress toward goals.

Provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities for team members.

Oversee staff scheduling, time tracking, performance reviews, and approval of leave requests.

Manage consultants, contractors, and external partners associated with Green Infrastructure programs. Financial Management and Fund Development

Develop and manage departmental budgets in collaboration with Finance and Grants teams.

Develop and oversee project budgets, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and funding constraints.

Partner with Finance and Grant teams to manage cash flow, revenue projections, and reimbursement timelines

Oversee financial coordination with consultants and contractors, including budget alignment and contracts.

Monitor financial performance and ensure effective allocation of resources to achieve program goals.

Support grant development and contract procurement by identifying funding opportunities and contributing to proposal development.

Ensure compliance with grant and contract requirements, including reporting and invoicing.

Develop strategies to diversify revenue streams, including exploring fee-for- service and other sustainable funding models.

Participate in fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, and public events as needed.

Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Environmental Planning, or a related field.

Licensed Landscape Architect in the state of California

8+ years of professional experience in landscape architecture, green infrastructure

planning, or related disciplines.

Demonstrated expertise in green infrastructure design, best management

practices, and policy and funding landscapes.

Strong leadership experience with proven ability to build, manage, and mentor

high-performing teams.

Experience managing complex programs, budgets, and multiple concurrent

projects.

Experience working with public agencies, nonprofit partners, and community

stakeholders.

Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and systems-thinking skills.

Experience developing and managing grants, contracts, and funding agreements.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and

technical writing.

Commitment to environmental equity, social justice, and community engagement.

Experience working with diverse communities and incorporating equity principles

into program design and partnerships.

Familiarity with climate resilience, California native plants, water systems, urban

forestry, wildfire mitigation, and environmental challenges affecting Southern

California communities.

Valid California Driver’s License and access to a vehicle.

Proficiency in tools such as AutoCAD, LandFX, Bluebeam, GIS platforms (e.g.,

Field Maps), Salesforce, Asana, ADP, and standard office software.

Bilingual English–Spanish preferred.

Master’s degree in a related discipline and at least 8 years of relevant professional

experience.

Licensed Landscape Architect in the state of California