Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer will lead all day-to-day finance operations in a nonprofit environment including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and grants administration.

The Controller will oversee the accounting, prepare the allocations and capital planning, is involved in risk management of the organization. Will participate in the monthly and yearly accounting close processes to ensure categorization of operating and capital expenditures. Monitor and execute compliance policies. Ensure that TreePeople and Tree People Land Trust are appropriately accrued.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ACCOUNTING:

• Guides financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures; protects assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls; monitors and confirms financial condition by conducting audits; providing information to external auditors.
• The Controller is responsible for leading the accounting department on month-end close.
• Prepares monthly closing entries including journal entries, general ledger account, and bank reconciliations on a monthly basis; Review general ledger for proper recognition of revenue, expenses, liability, and net assets.
• Maintaining monthly balance sheet reconciliations and reviewing reconciliations prepared by Staff Accountant
• Manage all audit activity; ensure compliance with local, state and federal financial reporting requirements. (Single Audit and 990 preparation)
• Ensure filing dates for disclosure of new vendors, sales tax, and 1099 to the appropriate government entities are met.
• Maintains all banking relationships and banking documentation.
• Review accounting processes, at a minimum semi-annually, to ensure best practices and the established processes are still sound.

GRANT MANAGEMENT/PAYROLL REPORTING:

• Oversees all grants accounting; ensuring that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant budgets; Assists with financial reporting materials for all government and private grants.
• The Controller meets regularly with the Programs to ensure that grants are reported to funders accurately and on time.

SUPERVISION/LEADERSHIP:

• Oversees all aspects of recruitment and development of accounting staff.
• Completes operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees, and following up on work results.
• Maintains accounting staff job results by coaching, counseling, disciplining employees, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.

ADMINISTRATION:

• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; filing financial reports; advising management on needed actions.
• Ensures operation of equipment by establishing preventive maintenance requirements and service contracts; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Protects operations by keeping financial information and plans confidential.
• Maintain inventory for the Organization.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Successful completion of pre-employment background check and maintaining a drug-free work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or related discipline. (Required)
• Master’s in Accounting or accounting designation (CPA) is preferred, business administration.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in non-profit accounting. Knowledge of theory and practice in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the standards set for financial audits. Audit Guide as well as any other current and applicable, federal, state, local or programmatic audit requirements (Required)
• Demonstrated experience with grant management and reporting, state grant experience a plus. (Required)
• Proven ability to supervise accounting staff and experience leading month end close.
• Proven experience with working with external auditors for financial filings.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; impeccable analytical and organizational skills; self-motivated and self-directed. (Required)
• Proven ability to work independently, to establish and revise priorities to meet shifting deadlines, and to prioritize and organize workload to meet multiple deadlines. (Required)
• Advanced accounting and reporting software knowledge, particularly Sage and proficiency using Excel, Word and PowerPoint. (Required)
• Verified experience to analyze data and identify patterns and trends and capture data from a variety of sources and merge together for analysis and reporting purposes. (Required)
• Established supervisory skills to recruit, train and assign work, conduct performance evaluations, and manage performance. Clearly communicate job expectations, mediate conflicts, conduct staff meetings, design development and training programs.
• Proficiency to determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluates the process and results. (Required)

SALARY DESCRIPTION:

$120,000 to $128,000 per year

JOIN THE TREEPEOPLE TEAM, APPLY AT:

Please apply here →

* TreePeople is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit organization that is mobilizing people, business, philanthropists, and public agencies to work together to create green, resilient communities by planting trees, capturing the rainwater, greening schools, and providing fun environmental educational activities. We inspire, engage, and support the community to increase the urban tree canopy and address climate threats and environmental justice in Los Angeles and across the region.

We are seeking an Outdoor Equity Educator for the Natural Connections program that delivers environmental and sustainability education, family tours, and moonlight hikes to over 10,000 people each year at Coldwater Canyon Park, Salt Lake Park, Audubon Center at Debs Park, Cindy Montanez Natural Park, Rudy Ortega Park, and Stunt Ranch. The goal of the program is to connect people, especially youth, to outdoor spaces and create a more climate resilient city through the planting and care of trees; conserving, capturing and infiltrating water; creating healthy, productive soil; and more.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver intentional, fun, and educational experiences to youth, community, and family groups on most weekdays.
• Deliver weekend guided tours through natural spaces for young people, community, and family groups as needed.
• Deliver evening Moonlight hikes as needed.
• Supervise, support, and lead large groups of students participating in community plantings and mountain restoration events.
• Set up stations and ensure a clean and safe space prior to student arrival.
• Provide in-class educational opportunities at schools, local libraries, and other education-centric spaces.
• Maintain all equipment, displays, and props needed to carry out Natural Connections tours, Eco-Tours, Family Tours, and Moonlight Hikes.
• Support TreePeople’s Nursery, Park Operations, Urban Forestry, and Mountain Forestry teams as needed.
• Represent TreePeople in the classroom, community, and beyond.
• Participate in Education and TreePeople All-Staff gatherings.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be committed to environmental sustainability and social justice.
• Must have experience working with young people and adults.
• Must demonstrate flexibility, patience, and strong time management skills.
• Experience and/or education in interpretive/environmental education, and/or performing arts is preferred.
• Strong communication skills and comfort speaking to a group or to individuals.
• Must be organized, detail oriented, and punctual.
• Able to work outside for hours at a time during tree planting events, tree care events, and canvassing.
• Able to dig holes, lift heavy equipment, and planting materials, including 15-gallon shade trees, 5-gallon water buckets, and tools.
• Able to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Able to stand and walk for long periods.
• Must have reliable transportation and be willing to drive to schools and parks all over Los Angeles County.
• Driver’s license and proof of insurance required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination required.

The ideal candidate possesses a sound grasp of ecology and environmental issues, a basic understanding of effective educational methods, cross-cultural sensitivity, and a playful sense of fun.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, this position requires standing (mostly as a presenter),
walking, driving, as well as the ability to lift 25 pounds.

SALARY DESCRIPTION:

$20.00 per hour

JOIN THE TREEPEOPLE TEAM, APPLY AT:

Please apply here →

* TreePeople is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

POSITION LOCATION:

Beverly Hills, California (Mountain Team) & El Monte, California (Urban Team)

TERM OF SERVICE:

Full-time; serve 1700+ hours from September 16, 2024 - August 14, 2025

TIME COMMITMENT:

Serve 40 hours per week, with Urban Forestry Team hours Tuesday — Saturday, approximately 7:00am - 4:00pm and Mountain Forestry Team hours Wednesday — Saturday approximately 6:30am - 5:00pm

ABOUT CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS (CCAC):

California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is a Governorʼs initiative national service program led by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and implemented by Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) dedicated to advancing climate actions that engage community members, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact.

CCAC is part of a larger statewide initiative to address the climate crisis by placing emerging leaders with public agencies, nonprofits, tribal communities, and educational institutions to mobilize communities through volunteer engagement, climate action, and education service projects focused on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency.

Selected Fellows will serve 1700+ hours as AmeriCorps members over approximately eleven months, supporting community volunteer engagement, climate action, or education projects in vulnerable communities across the state. CCAC meets Californians where they are and provides meaningful opportunities for everyone to take climate action. For more information, please visit: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/about-california-climate-action-corps

ABOUT HOST PARTNER SITE:

TreePeople, a pioneering nonprofit since 1973, leads the charge in nature-based solutions to Southern California's environmental challenges. Our mission unites communities to cultivate greener, cooler, and more water-secure environments while empowering youth-driven climate action. Specializing in equity-driven initiatives, we focus on environmental education, watershed coordination, urban forestry, wildlands restoration, and policy advocacy to create a sustainable future for all.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

TreePeople, one of California's largest independent environmental organizations, is dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace personal responsibility for nurturing a safe, healthy, enjoyable, and sustainable environment. With a team comprising educators, organizers, foresters, and thousands of trained volunteers, TreePeople leads the charge in mobilizing communities to collaborate towards achieving climate resilience. Over the past 5 decades, TreePeople has engaged more than 3 million individuals in planting and caring for over 3 million trees. Our primary objective is to actively engage and organize communities at the local level, throughout Los Angeles County, and beyond, catalyzing a transformative response to climate change and establishing a replicable global model for climate resiliency. TreePeople is seeking 8 Fellows for 2 teams who are passionate about the environment, urban greening, forestry, climate resilience, and environmental justice, particularly those from the communities we aim to serve. The Urban Forestry Team will be based out of El Monte, CA with projects spanning Los Angeles County, and the Mountain Forestry Team will be based out of Beverly Hills, CA with projects spanning the Angeles National Forest.

Urban Forestry Team duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct post-fire reforestation and habitat restoration efforts in designated areas, removing invasive species and flash fuels to preserve native plant ecosystem in urban environments
• Identify suitable sites for tree planting initiatives in urban areas, lead tree planting and maintenance activities, and monitor site progress to promote equitable tree canopy coverage

Mountain Forestry Team duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct post-fire reforestation and habitat restoration efforts in designated areas, removing invasive species and flash fuels to preserve native plant ecosystem in the Angeles National Forest
• Assist with seed collection, treatment, and propagation activities as needed

All Team duties include, but are not limited to:

• Recruit, coordinate, and support volunteers to assist with urban tree planting and care events and forest restoration to foster community engagement, raise awareness, and promote environmental stewardship
• Cultivate relationships with community members through effective communication, volunteer retention efforts, and event participation to encourage community engagement and sustain conservation efforts
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact
• Participation in training not to exceed 20% (340-hours) of total service hours
• Fellow duties will not include any prohibited or unallowable activities per 45 CFR § 2520.65
• Fellow duties will not supplant, duplicate, or displace staff as outlined in 45 CFR § 2540.100 (e)-(f)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Live in California by August 16, 2024
• Must be age 18 or older by September 16, 2024
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in Volunteer Engagement, Event Coordination, Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Field Experience, Home Hardening/ Defensible Space, Volunteer Management, Environmental Justice/ Equity, Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration, Event Planning, GIS / Mapping, and Data/ Quantitative Analysis. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

BENEFITS OF SERVICE:

Fellows with TreePeople will work on forest health resilience projects in Angeles National Forest and tree canopy equity initiatives in urban areas, gaining skills and hands-on experience in habitat restoration, volunteer coordination, community engagement, and environmental education. Fellows will receive supervision and training from experienced staff members and have the chance to earn certifications such as CPR/First Aid/AED. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $33,000 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

ABOUT BACR:

As the program implementation lead, Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) is responsible for the member's (Fellow's) recruitment and placement at the Host Partner Site listed above. BACR is the Implementing Agency that manages the Fellows' payroll and benefits. We cultivate an environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees and National Service members.

We are firmly committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. Therefore, we enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

Our management team is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this equal opportunity policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during a Fellow's term of service.

Please apply here →