Resilient Cities Program Manager

Location: Fully remote; must be located near Albuquerque, NM to implement projects
Compensation: USD $72,800 - $93,600 annually
Position Type: Full Time, Exempt. This is a grant-funded two-year term position, with the possibility of extension. Further employment is contingent upon additional funding.
Reports To: Resilient Cities Program Director
Cause Areas: Environmental Conservation, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Natural Resource Management
About SIG-NAL:
SIG-NAL is a non-profit dedicated to advancing science, policy, and practice for resilient landscapes and communities. We pilot and scale innovations in environmental management that span urban and natural landscapes by connecting cutting-edge analytics with policy and planning to deliver solutions for a more resilient future. For over a decade, we’ve partnered with agencies on data-driven strategies for ecological restoration and nature-based solutions that benefit people and nature. Our work supports resilient cities, fire-adapted communities, sustainable land management, global conservation partnerships, environmental monitoring, and biodiversity conservation.
Resilient Cities Program:
We believe that healthy urban landscapes are essential for thriving, equitable cities. By building long-lasting partnerships with communities, we facilitate the reimagining of urban environments as vibrant, multifunctional spaces that support people, plants, and wildlife. Our Resilient Cities Program fosters strong network connections across disciplines, enabling us to translate science into innovative policy and practice, creating lasting solutions that sustain cities and restore the natural systems they depend on.
Position Overview:
The Program Manager will support the strategic initiatives of our Resilient Cities Program. The primary focus will be mainstreaming Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) in Cities and Towns across the Southwest US, and a secondary focus supporting state and local water policy. Some in-person meetings and fieldwork required. There may also be infrequent travel and occasional weekend or evening hours.
Desert Southwest communities face two linked challenges: intensifying urban heat and strained water supplies. GSI offers a direct answer to both. By directing stormwater runoff to trees and vegetation via passive rainwater harvesting, it turns a waste stream into a resource, cooling neighborhoods, replenishing soil moisture, and supporting conservation goals, while delivering co-benefits like better air quality, reduced flooding, and stronger community well-being.
Our approach: integrating GSI best practices into municipal projects and policy; tackling the maintenance challenge and building workforce capacity; and accelerating residential rainwater harvesting.
Some of the projects this position will contribute to include:
RainSmart – pairing GSI with urban forestry through neighborhood tree plantings and a large-scale GSI median installation
Participation in the NM Tree Alliance, Arid LID Coalition, and other collaborative groups
Supporting the City of Albuquerque in aligning policy and workflows with GSI/urban forestry best practices
Community-based residential rainwater harvesting initiatives
State and local policy work advancing water quality and conservation
Key Responsibilities:
Manage a diverse project portfolio spanning GSI/urban forestry initiatives, municipal policy updates, and collaborative network facilitation.
Serve as point of contact for nonprofit, agency, and community partners on resilient cities projects.
Facilitate meetings (online, in-person, hybrid)—from small technical groups to large collaboratives—including field trips, workshops, and trainings.
Develop education, outreach, and programmatic materials (handouts, fliers, social media, newsletters, blog/website content).
Lead or support community engagement events and outreach; build strong partner relationships to advance cross-sector work.
Collaborate with program staff to align project activities with broader program goals and strategy.
Oversee project implementation, ensuring on-time deliverables in coordination with internal/external partners.
Manage project budgets (with Finance/supervisor support), including grant compliance, reporting, subcontractor agreements, invoicing, and reimbursements.
Track program accomplishments to inform reporting, planning, and continuous improvement.
Identify funding opportunities and lead grant writing for project-specific funds aligned with the Strategic Plan.
May supervise staff, volunteers, or interns.
Model SIG-NAL values—integrity, respect, professionalism—in all partner, funder, and colleague interactions.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, hydrology, biology, ecology, geography, horticulture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, or related field.
5+ years in conservation, environmental research, consulting, or related work.
Experience managing grant-funded or contracted projects in stormwater management, healthy watersheds, natural resource management, wildlife, nature-based solutions, community forestry, urban climate resilience, and/or GSI.
Proven ability to communicate effectively across diverse stakeholders: practitioners, government officials, partner organizations, tribal entities, the public, and SIG-NAL staff.
Cross-disciplinary experience (architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, ecology, engineering, natural resource management, or GIS).
Strong written/verbal communication and organizational skills; professional demeanor.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote setting with a willingness to learn new systems, tools, and software.
Experience working across diverse communities, landscapes, and cultural contexts in the Southwest.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in engineering, biology, hydrology, ecology, horticulture, natural resource management, or related field.
Advanced credentialing in good standing (PE, AIA, ASLA, APA, etc.).
Watershed Management Group Certified Water Harvesting Design Practitioner or demonstrated rainwater harvesting/GSI experience.
Bilingual in Spanish.
Facilitator training or demonstrated experience.
GIS data management and analysis experience.
Proficiency with Adobe products (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) or similar graphic design software.
Knowledge of Southwest plant communities.
Strong technical writing and science communication skills.
Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting—preferably in hydrology, water quality, or community-based conservation.
Benefits: Full suite of benefits including several options for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Paid vacation, sick/wellness time, and holidays (including Dec 24 - Jan 1). Retirement savings (401k) match, and a home office stipend.
Apply Here by submitting:
A cover letter describing your interest and experience for the position (limit 2 pages);
Your resume or CV (limit 3 pages);
Contact information for at least 3 references.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin no later than October 19, 2026.
SIG-NAL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity, which includes the recognition that our success is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, or other status protected by law.

Work arrangement
Yes