Operations & Human Resources Manager

Position Title: Operations & Human Resources Manager

Location: Hybrid/Flexible - Oakland or San Bernardino

Status/Schedule: Full-time/Exempt - weekend/evenings based on organization needs

Organizational Overview:

The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP) is a nonprofit organization that was developed in direct response to the growing need for wildfire-related personnel. Our mission is to increase wildfire personnel from non-traditional and underrepresented communities, providing them the training, skills, resources, and experiences needed to secure gainful employment. FFRP works at the intersection of workforce development, criminal justice, and the climate crisis, providing viable career pathways for formerly incarcerated and other marginalized individuals. Through this unique orientation and building on the lived expertise of its co-founders and staff, FFRP is changing the narrative and preparing more individuals to be part of California’s first line of defense in preventing, managing, and suppressing wildfires.

Overview of Role:

The Operations & HR Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of FFRP to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and compliance. This includes providing administrative support to the CEO and Director of Operations (to be hired), managing general inquiries for the organization, and coordination with outside services. In addition, this position will develop, maintain, and communicate with staff regarding operational guidelines and procedures for the organization, with input from FFRP leadership. The Operations & HR Manager coordinates procurement, compliance and monitoring for the organization, including facility use and other rental agreements. The position reports to the Director of Operations (to be hired) and is responsible for assisting with all operational aspects of the organization, including human resources, organizational culture, and data and evaluation. The Operations & HR Manager will assist FFRP management with the positive engagement, coordination, supervision, training, and coaching of all staff in meeting their roles and responsibilities for the organization. This role is an exempt hybrid position, with the expectation that the staff person be available to support in-person activities or connect with staff, vendors or partners as needed in the Bay Area or Southern California. The staff person is expected to be based out of the Oakland or San Bernardino training locations, with travel to other locations covered by FFRP. Voluntary telecommuting arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis and must be approved in advance, based on the needs of the organization.

General Operations Management & Support:

• Support annual planning oversight and management
• Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to improve services and outcomes. Ensure that the organization’s programs and services meet the needs of its constituents and are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of existing systems and tools and awareness of gaps and organizational needs in order to identify areas of improvement. Adapt, develop, and implement policies and procedures as needed to structure workflows and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices. Provide training and support as needed to support managers and staff in adopting these policies and procedures.

Human Resources, People, & Culture:

• Promote employee engagement, recognition, training, and retention initiatives, fostering a culture of cooperation and accountability in support of FFRP’s mission.
• Plans and implements programs with other key managers to ensure proper onboarding and off-boarding, staff development and growth in line with FFRP’s current and future vision.
• Support team through goal setting, dashboards, coaching, and regular feedback.
• Monitor and analyze data/performance metrics to ensure that the organization is meeting its goals and objectives.
• Coordinating and managing all benefits options and plans for FFRP

Specific responsibilities of this role for the next 6-12 months include:

• Assist with Hiring and HR for the organization, including review and maintenance of employee files, including job descriptions, HR paperwork, personnel performance improvement plans and evaluations, and gusto time tracking
• Evaluation of FFRP’s benefits plans and options, with recommendations to the leadership team regarding plan changes and options to maximize value while containing costs
• Evaluation of FFRP’s insurance coverages, with recommendations to the leadership team regarding coverage options and relevant changes to maximize coverage while containing costs
• Review and update the FFRP Staff Portal to help standardize, refine, and implement systems and policies that enhance consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness within and among program, development/communications, finance, and executive teams
• Help improve communication among all staff and interns, including use of google calendar, sample agendas and notes, etc
• Review data and evaluation systems, developing dashboards to help develop, track, and report on progress toward key performance indicators, annual priorities, and strategic objectives for the organization as a whole, as well as the Executive, Finance, Development/Communications departments
• Review procurement policies, accounts, and contracts, making recommendations to the leadership as appropriate for any changes and helping to ensure proper compliance
• Research, document, and share lessons learned and best practices to foster organizational learning and improve processes
• Provide training and ongoing support for tools and processes, ensuring staff are equipped to maximize efficiency

Key Qualifications for Role:

• 2-3 years experience with operations in a nonprofit environment and a documented successful track record
• Strategic thinker, with strong goal- and detail-oriented analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well independently and in a team environment
• Servant spirit and attitude, with a strong commitment to removing obstacles and allowing others to flourish, modeling ethical leadership
• Effective organizational skills to keep track of multiple priorities, tasks, situations, and people
• Self-starter, creative, flexible, and able to adapt and flex communication/leadership style
• Working knowledge of data analysis and performance and operations metrics
• Strong oral and written communication skills required. Strong interpersonal skills, with a passion for social justice and the ability to create and sustain effective relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, board members and other stakeholders
• Significant Human Resources/ people and culture experience across talent development and management, employee experience, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, and compliance
• Ability to anticipate, solve, and resolve business problems and team conflicts.
• Ability to budget resources – labor, money, time – to achieve organizational goals, vision, and objectives
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, MS Office, Gusto, Salesforce, Adobe Acrobat, Canva, and Donorbox

Behaviors, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Qualifications:

• Ability to generate brand awareness as a leader in the community
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Significant experience in the field of child welfare, preferably with volunteers providing advocacy for children
• Understanding of the developmental, social, and emotional needs of individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system and other marginalized populations
• Familiarity with natural resources, forestry, or wildfire careers is also helpful
• Ability to pass a LiveScan and background check
• Demonstrates all competencies required of a leader:
  • Responds and communicates constructively and positively to others with a collaborative and non-judgmental approach
  • Conveys the point of discussions clearly, providing supporting information
  • Effectively cascades information to the team and actively seeks opinions and input
  • Actively listens to concerns and exhibits patience even if in disagreement
  • Exhibits emotional control during all encounters whether in agreement or not and while taking difficult stands
  • Proactively takes responsibility for self and team
  • Builds professional, positive, and respectful relationships
  • Adapts leadership style to build engagement based on individual needs of team rather than using a ‘one style fits all’ approach
  • Exemplifies leadership skills that proactively address and exceed internal and external needs/expectations

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Time will be spent occasionally in training or field locations and could involve intermittent physical activities, including standing, bending, reaching, sitting, speaking, and walking
• Training and field locations typically have an open office layout. Candidates will be working in a shared space with varying levels of noise and foot traffic