Project Manager - Minnesota Parks & Schoolyards

Project Manager - Minnesota Parks & Schoolyards

• St. Paul, United States

Who We Are: Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors.

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Position Summary: The Minnesota Parks and Schoolyards program works with communities across the state to ensure everyone enjoys access to high-quality, close-to-home outdoor space. Employing a participatory design process, we plan, fund, build/renovate, and activate parks, schoolyards, and public spaces where they're needed most—in strong partnership with community and public partners. Our approach involves working closely with diverse partners with an emphasis on hope, respect, creativity, and mutual trust.

The Parks and Schoolyards Manager 1 will be responsible for managing all phases of several park and schoolyard projects across Minnesota. For their projects, they will be responsible for overseeing all project management activities, including construction, coordination with outside design consultants, and robust participatory design processes. They will work hand-in-hand with a variety of partners, including community members, schools and other institutional partners, nonprofits, state agencies, contractors, and subject-matter experts, to envision, design, and construct transformative green spaces that meet local needs, align with Trust for Public Land’s mission, and successfully completed within the constraints of constructability and budget.

Critical aspects of the position involve maintaining close coordination with public agencies, community partners, and internal staff to ensure all legal, financial, and regulatory guidelines are followed, that projects are completed on or under budget, and that community needs are met. The ability to work independently with a high level of organization and initiative is essential. This position reports to the Minnesota Parks and Schoolyards Associate Director and will join a team of committed, passionate, and collaborative team members working to deliver TPL’s mission.

This position will be based in TPL’s Minnesota Office with hybrid/remote work possible. This position requires moderate travel across the state, including work in the field and in community. Evening and weekend work are anticipated.

Essential Functions:

Community Schoolyard and Park Project Management- 70%

• Oversee the day-to-day project management for schoolyard projects from engagement, design, construction, through project completion, including:
  • Develop and manage budget, schedule, and contracts
  • Select, hire, and manage landscape architects, architects, engineers, contractors and other consultants needed to deliver the projects.
  • Track project progress and deliverables, organize meetings, and define agendas.
  • Manage project evaluation, grant management, and reporting.
  • Develop graphics as needed, including presentations, boards, flyers, etc.
  • Provide regular project updates and clear communication to staff and funders.
  • Design and conduct meaningful in-school participatory schoolyard design with students, in partnership with the Parks and Schoolyard Program Associate.
  • Develop and manage relationships with school districts and school staff, local government, and tribal nations, school districts, local representatives, and community leaders.

Site Stewardship, Activation, and Maintenance – 15%

• Manage ongoing stewardship of completed schoolyard project sites, including:
  • Regular check-ins with school team
  • Liaise with partner organizations and volunteers for stewardship events
  • Select, hire, and manage community partners and landscape…