Head of Project Management (Remote)

STATUS: Full-Time / Benefited / Hourly / Non-Exempt
COMPENSATION: $25.49 - $30.90 per hour
DEPARTMENT: North State Planning and Development Collective (NSPDC)
LOCATION: Chico, CA - This position is eligible for partial telecommuting.

RECRUITMENT ID: 472

RESIDENCY: Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Under the supervision of senior staff, the project manager II plays a critical role in the management of assigned grant-funded projects. The position is responsible for leading task-specific project or team activities, including, but not limited, grant reporting; coordinating the satisfactory completion of project milestones and/or deliverables; leading meetings or specific agenda items within meetings; and processing invoices and subcontracts.
Regular tasks for the project manager II include prioritizing, anticipating, and preparing for tasks to ensure work is completed on time; setting timely and effective individual and project goals; routinely assessing and re-strategizing individual and project goals with supervisor and suggesting actions to ensure timely progress on project needs; proactively recognizing and addressing errors or concerns with the supervisor; and creating and sustaining internal and external collaborative relationships.

To fulfill these general functions, the project manager II is expected to maintain a deep understanding of assigned projects, programs, scopes of work, contract language, and deliverables; maintain knowledge of funder guidelines and ensure accountability for their implementation with minimal supervision; maintain a high level of work efficiency to allow for additional contributions to projects, meetings, and tasks such as assisting with materials or grant proposals; maintain a work schedule necessary to best serve project performance while remaining flexible, as needed, to effectively support programmatic needs; and maintain familiarity with budget line items.

The project manager II should demonstrate advanced proficiency in leading geospatial initiatives, with expertise in GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS and a comprehensive understanding of spatial data management and geospatial databases. The role requires demonstrated capabilities in project management, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource coordination. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, coupled with excellent communication abilities with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, are essential. Familiarity with web mapping technologies and APIs further enhances the capacity to deliver innovative and effective GIS solutions.

The Project Manager’s functional responsibilities include:

Lead or provide leadership for the organization’s strategic planning, development, and management efforts for new and existing research or operations programs, projects, and initiatives.

Develop, define, and execute program plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.

Identify needed resources for programs and define/assign major roles.

Monitor the program from initiation through delivery, interfacing with external stakeholders on project matters as needed.

Assign and monitor the work of program management and support staff, providing mentorship and direction.

Plan, manage, and oversee GIS projects from initiation through completion.

Coordinate cross-functional teams, including GIS analysts, developers, data scientists, and stakeholders.

Evaluate new GIS tools, technologies, and methodologies for project implementation.

May ultimately be responsible for the success of the program.

SKILLS:

Collaboration: Begins to actively participate in NSPDC committees and/or Center-wide discussions and decisions. Interacts with other entities as necessary. Begins to collaborate with other project managers on project activities. Begins to actively participate in NSPDC committees and/or team meetings. Will more regularly collaborate with program-specific external contacts (e.g., partners and clients). With more experience, begins to initiate strategies, best practices, and resources to help partners and/or subcontractors succeed.

Communication: Written communication will occur more independently, with review by the supervisor or others as needed. Uses proactive verbal and nonverbal communication during meetings as demonstrated by asking questions and offering comments/feedback. Understands when there is a need to change the communication pathway (e.g., conversation vs. email). Is receptive to and applies feedback. Builds the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

GIS Expertise: Demonstrates growing proficiency in geographic information systems (GIS), including ArcGIS, QGIS, and related tools. Begins to manage and analyze spatial datasets with accuracy and consistency to support project objectives. Applies established data standards, workflows, and best practices while seeking opportunities to improve efficiency and data quality. With more experience, initiates strategies for advanced geospatial analysis, develops innovative mapping solutions, and mentors team members on GIS methodologies and technologies.

Accountability: Contributes to the completion of programs and organizational objectives. Anticipates and prepares for tasks to complete work on time. With minimal input, is able to prioritize tasks and efficiently work on competing demands. Maintains a schedule necessary to best serve project performance while remaining flexible when needed to effectively support programmatic needs. Is knowledgeable of funder guidelines and is accountable for their implementation with minimal input. Becomes familiar with budget line items, flexibility, invoicing process, and impact on program planning (being strategic, forward thinking, etc.). Shares relevant content from trainings and professional development and remains current with best practices. Is accountable for reinforcing a healthy work environment.

Problem Solving: Begins taking initiative to seek resources, propose creative solutions, and implement as appropriate.

Institutional Perspective: Understands the organizational structure, values, and mission of NSPDC, CSE, and Chico State and positively represents (i.e., participating in collaborative meetings and/or workgroups) the programs supported by these entities.

Leadership: May begin to lead task-specific projects or team activities (e.g., lead reporting processes/ procedures). Makes recommendations for improving systems and/or processes to streamline work. Regularly contributes to the team and offers recommendations and possible solutions for the work. Begins to lead meetings or agenda items within larger meetings. Is able to recognize and address errors or concerns. With supervisor input, begins to employ performance management strategies such as setting individual and team goals and reviewing and assessing progress toward goals. Has an awareness of individual strengths and weaknesses.

Change Management: Understands how NSPDC program funding fluctuates and how staff are leveraged or shifted to accommodate need. Recognizes inefficiencies in program implementation and helps program team identify where changes can occur.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degree. The field of study should be related to natural resources, energy, agriculture, governmental administration, economic development, geographic information systems, planning and/or rural communities, or otherwise have prepared the applicant to meet the essential job functions.

A minimum of three years of professional work experience (or equivalent), with increasing responsibility in program administration and planning (e.g., leading activities, being accountable for deadlines, prioritizing workload, and communicating professionally).

Environmental Working Conditions:
The physical environment requires the employee to work both indoors and outdoors in a variety of conditions, including heat, cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions.

BENEFITS:

Benefits for employees working 30 hours or more per week include employer paid life insurance ($50,000) and long-term disability; options for health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; paid holidays including 1 personal holiday; vacation accrual (initially 10 days/year); sick leave accrual (up to 12 days/year); employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan (up to 8%).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.

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