The Senior Program Manager of Community Forestry will implement a project funded by The USDA Forest Service aimed to build capacity for tree canopy expansion across the greater Los Angeles region through on the ground efforts and the promotion of collaboration and coordinator efforts of partners. Additionally, this position will support programming within the Community Forestry department such as workforce development, volunteer engagement, and partnership development.

The Senior Program Manager of Community Forestry will lead the development and implementation of a small capacity building grant program to support hyperlocal, neighborhood level tree planting initiatives. This role will support these local initiatives throughout the entire tree planting process, including initial tree care. This may include leveraging TreePeople’s resources to implement small tree planting projects of 15-25 trees. In addition to the small capacity building grant program, The Community Forestry Program Manager will coordinate and implement convenings of partner entities around topics related to tree canopy and green infrastructure improvements in the region. This will include developing a schedule, sharing invitations, and securing presenters. 

The Senior Program Manager of Community Forestry will be supported by the regional teams of the Community Forestry department, administrative staff, communications staff, and the community engagement team.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Develop and implement programming that promotes greater capacity and collaboration for tree canopy expansion initiatives across the greater Los Angeles area.

• Coordinate partnerships with community-based organizations, public agencies, and other collaborative partners. 

• Train and supervise neighborhood-level tree planting projects. This may include developing project work plans, including event scheduling, dig alert, permitting, tree sourcing and inspection.

• Implement and coordinate convenings regarding environmental topics such as tree canopy. 

• Develop and maintain partnerships with local community-based organizations, elected officials, public agencies, businesses and other community stakeholders to expand TreePeople’s social and environmental impact. 

• Present and facilitate information sharing in front of public audiences. 

• Organize, support and/or lead community events. 

• Gather monitor and track data on tree plantings for reporting requirements and to ensure successful implementation of tree maintenance plans. 

• Support contract and funder reporting requirements, including documentation and presentation of project deliverables, including photos and sign-in sheets, preparation of narrative summaries, and greenhouse gas calculations. 

• Support the development of programming within the Community Forestry department such as workforce development opportunities, creating training opportunities for other staff, and integrating partnerships.

• Support the evaluation and improvement of the Community Forestry departments systems such as tracking deliverables, GIS integration, and prioritization to tree planting. 

• Participate and represent TreePeople at meetings, fundraising, marketing, membership and volunteer events. 

• Assist with TreePeople’s policy and research and public education initiatives, including but not limited to climate and water resilience, urban heat island mitigation, urban cooling, urban forestry management plans, and equity. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Strong foundation of urban forestry principles and best practices, including experience planting and caring for street trees.

• Experience with staff supervision, project management and community organizing.

• Solid computer skills, including email, document, presentation, and spreadsheet basics. 

• Highly-organized, strong work-ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick-learner.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: engaging, listening, negotiating, public speaking and writing.

• Strong leadership, team-building and problem-solving skills. 

• Familiarity with local climate and water resilience and environmental issues impacting diverse communities throughout Southern California.

• Direct experience with partner organizations and public agencies in Los Angeles preferred.

• Spanish fluency is preferred.

• ISA Certified Arborist designation required upon start date.

• ArcGIS familiarity preferred.

Physical Job Requirements

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand-to-eye coordination.

• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools including but not limited to shovels, breaker bars, rakes, brooms, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, blowers, augers.

• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.

• Must be able to load and unload 15-gallon trees from a stakebed truck.

• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day.

• Must be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, i.e., rain, heat, sun, cold.

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.

• This is an in-person position with Hybrid work at the supervisors discretion.