What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Associate position at Trust for Public Land?
About
ABOUT THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
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. Join us!
Position Summary
The position will play a lead role in bringing to life TPL’s signature project in Dallas: the Five Mile Creek Greenbelt. This bold plan envisions a network of parks and trails stretching across the Oak Cliff neighborhood in southwest Dallas, including: South Oak Cliff Renaissance Park (opened in 2021), Judge Charles Rose Park (under construction), Woody Branch Park (design commenced in 2023) and a multi-modal trail connecting across the watershed (under design). With billions of dollars of federal funding available over the coming years and a city bond program, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete the Five Mile Creek vision.
TPL is seeking a full-time Project Associate to support the project delivery in North Texas. Working with the Parks for People Team, the Project Associate will develop relationships with community representatives, government agencies, city staff, non-profit partners, the arts and cultural community, neighborhood leaders, and residents to implement community-driven park, trail, and open space projects. The Project Associate, with the Senior Program Manager and Community Conservation Fellow, will be responsible coordination of all aspects of outreach, planning, design, and construction of projects including coordinating community meetings and events, creating outreach materials (e-mail lists, online groups, bilingual fliers, etc.), project budgets, consultant management, invoicing, grant writing, equipment purchasing, vendor management, and design and construction coordination.,
This position will require strong teamwork and close collaboration with the entire Texas program, including other program staff, philanthropy staff, marketing, legal, and others across the organization. The ideal candidate has experience in landscape architecture, construction, and managing consultants.
The intended candidate will spend their time on the following:
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $60000-70000.
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.
ABOUT THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
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. Join us!
Position Summary
The position will play a lead role in bringing to life TPL’s signature project in Dallas: the Five Mile Creek Greenbelt. This bold plan envisions a network of parks and trails stretching across the Oak Cliff neighborhood in southwest Dallas, including: South Oak Cliff Renaissance Park (opened in 2021), Judge Charles Rose Park (under construction), Woody Branch Park (design commenced in 2023) and a multi-modal trail connecting across the watershed (under design). With billions of dollars of federal funding available over the coming years and a city bond program, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete the Five Mile Creek vision.
TPL is seeking a full-time Project Associate to support the project delivery in North Texas. Working with the Parks for People Team, the Project Associate will develop relationships with community representatives, government agencies, city staff, non-profit partners, the arts and cultural community, neighborhood leaders, and residents to implement community-driven park, trail, and open space projects. The Project Associate, with the Senior Program Manager and Community Conservation Fellow, will be responsible coordination of all aspects of outreach, planning, design, and construction of projects including coordinating community meetings and events, creating outreach materials (e-mail lists, online groups, bilingual fliers, etc.), project budgets, consultant management, invoicing, grant writing, equipment purchasing, vendor management, and design and construction coordination.,
This position will require strong teamwork and close collaboration with the entire Texas program, including other program staff, philanthropy staff, marketing, legal, and others across the organization. The ideal candidate has experience in landscape architecture, construction, and managing consultants.
The intended candidate will spend their time on the following:
- Project Management including Design, Construction, and Project Delivery Coordination: 50%
- Community Outreach and Relationship Building: 20%
- Onsite Activations and Community Events: 20%
- Philanthropic Support, Research, and Grant Collaboration: 10%
- This position will be responsible, guidance from colleagues and consultants, coordination of all aspects of outreach, planning, design, and construction of North Texas greenspace projects, including the Dallas Greening Initiative Sites, Five Mile Creek Trail, and Five Mile Creek Park Initiatives.
- Manage design, engineering, and construction consultants
- Be responsible for technical project management of design and construction processes
- Build authentic and meaningful relationships with residents and leaders within the communities we serve
- Assist with fundraising for the project, including providing project updates (both written and verbal) and assistance in grant writing
- Speak publicly about the project to various audiences, including elected officials, public meetings, media, and general public
- In partnership with colleagues, help plan, organize, and execute community meetings
- In partnership with colleagues, help plan, organize, and execute volunteer events, such as park beautification days, park cleanups, and more.
- Liaise with TPL’s legal department to coordinate contracts with consultants, partner organizations, and public agencies
- Work to develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners like other nonprofit and for profit organizations, government agencies, Universities and other entities as needed.
- Completes assorted administrative tasks required for a well-regulated organization.
- Other relevant duties as necessary.
- Education and/or experience with landscape architecture, urban planning, and construction
- Experience with public processes including permitting a plus
- Demonstrated commitment to community engagement and empowerment
- Team player with superior ability to collaborate with colleagues and partners
- Highly organized and self-motivated
- Able to manage consultants and other partners
- Computer proficiency
- Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable
- This position requires occasional evening and weekend work for community meetings, volunteer events, etc.
- This position is based in Dallas, and candidates with experience and understanding of the Five Mile Creek and Oak Cliff neighborhoods are preferred
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay plus holidays, a year end office closure, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $60000-70000.
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.
Salary : $60,000 - $70,000
