Urban Green - Cleveland Team Member

Position Summary

SCA's Cleveland Urban Forestry Team will advance environmental justice by maintaining Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team will work to complete priority tree care projects in partnership with SCA partner organizations, including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, invasive plant removal, and general site maintenance. In addition, the crew will engage with the local community by participating in volunteer community tree care projects, sharing information about the benefits trees provide, and related community engagement projects.

Schedule

February 10, 2025 - November 15, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Position Description: Project Location: Qualifying Environmental Justice Census Tracts in and around Cleveland SCA's Cleveland Urban Forestry Team will advance environmental justice by maintaining Cleveland's urban forest in low-canopy neighborhoods. The team will work to complete priority tree care projects in partnership with SCA partner organizations, including watering, young tree training and pruning, mulching, invasive plant removal, and general site maintenance. In addition, the crew will engage with the local community by participating in volunteer community tree care projects, sharing information about the benefits trees provide, and related community engagement projects. The team will be responsible for a variety of urban forestry project work, including the maintenance and installation of up to 500 trees. Each team member will aid in the ongoing maintenance of recently planted trees, and care for previously planted trees from past seasons. Maintenance includes mulching, watering, pruning, staking, fencing, inspecting, and tracking. The Cleveland Urban Forestry team will consist of 3 young adult members (18 years of age or older) and 1 Field Leader. Members meet at a centralized pick-up and drop-off location and are transported in an SCA vehicle to their work site each day by the Field Leader. The team will work together through a variety of weather conditions during their season. Members should feel able to perform physical labor outdoors for up to 8 hours per day, and lift and carry 50 lbs or more occasionally.

Marginal Duties

In addition to regular project work in Cleveland, this Urban Forestry team may have the opportunity to participate in one or more week-long overnight hitch projects, doing urban forestry work at partner sites, exact dates TBD. Travel, food, and lodging will be provided for the team during these periods.

Required Qualifications

Work together as a team to complete projects, sustaining a productive workplace culture; Maintain and plant trees in qualifying census tracts, advancing environmental justice and sustaining Cleveland's urban tree canopy; Engage respectfully with community members to advance urban tree canopy equity; Build and maintain stormwater and related green infrastructure features; Participate in related urban and community foresty management projects in collaboration with land managing partners

Preferred Qualifications

Hours

• Work schedule at the start and end of the season (Feb-May, Oct-Nov) may be part-time, with a minimum of 16 hours (2 full days) of work per week expected
• Work schedule during the summer season (May-October) is generally Mon - Thurs, nine (9) hours per day, with adjustments to accommodate weekend projects as needed
• M-R, 8a-5p totaling from 35-40 hours per week. Start and end time and days worked may be adjusted during the position to meet programmatic needs and adapt to weather conditions
• Members serve 16-40 hours per week for up to 40 weeks or 1,000 hours served

Living Accommodations

No housing is provided for this position

Compensation

Pay rate: $18/hr (pre-tax)* Access to a national network of professional resources and a peer group; Training - SCA Urban Forestry Member Training, ongoing professional development training, urban forestry training and option for certifications, value $1100 ; Introduction to key conservation organizations in Cleveland; opportunity to network. *Pay is subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Aid Training

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.