Community Forester (Education/Research)

  Sacramento Tree Foundation

  Sacramento, California, United States

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Education Programs Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

Sacramento Tree Foundation is seeking to hire someone who likes connecting with a variety of people, is detail minded, and wants to combat climate change one house at a time. The Community Forester role is focused on teaching the value of trees, encouraging informed citizen action and offering expertise on best tree practices. The primary responsibility of a Community Forester is to support individuals and groups to plant and care for trees, inspiring them to take steps to improve their homes and neighborhoods. The Community Forester educates the public on the inextricable links between a healthy, robust urban forest and a community’s quality of life, health and well-being of its citizens and environmental benefits. The Community Forester promotes Tree Foundation programs, and works throughout the organization to support efforts to build the best regional urban forest in the nation.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES:

Site Visits

1. Meet with people at homes, businesses, schools, parks, or virtually - utilizing online conferencing technology - to strategically chose tree planting locations and species that will provide the most overall community benefits (energy savings, street shading, carbon storage, air quality, property value, and more) Site assessments occur during regular weekday hours, and on some weekend days.

2. Provide appropriate and understandable information to the customer regarding planting and care techniques. Educating customers on the importance of proper tree placement and survival is critical to this position and the organization’s mission.

3. Create planting maps for both customer information and internal record keeping detailing planting location, species, benefits, and customer agreement information.

4. Create accurate records of the site visit in Salesforce database with iPad and office computer.

Customer Service

1. Actively communicate with tree recipients following site visits to provide continuous educational support and information on tree benefits, planting, and care through phone calls, emails and in-person follow up visits to ensure that they are knowledge about how to best care for trees.

2. Provide impeccable customer service to all customers, volunteers, and community members through all forms of communication including phone, e-mail and in person. As the Community Forester is a primary point of contact between the public and the Tree Foundation they are expected to passionately represent and promote Tree Foundation programs and mission.

Outreach & Education

1. Lead and support public tree planting events various locations (such as at parks or schools), occasionally occurring on weekends, including coordination with partners and volunteer management.

2. Support workshops, clinics, and presentations on educational topics such as pruning, watering, tree tours, etc.

3. Attend outreach events and neighborhood meetings to represent the organization and provide education.

4. Identify community events and other outreach opportunities appropriate to market Tree Foundation programs and offer educational opportunities

5. When applicable, build and maintain relationships with neighborhood associations, park districts, school districts, and other relevant groups.

Administrative

1. Write and achieve an annual work plan to include measurable goals

2. Carefully manage daily calendar to meet customer demand, special requests, and office work

3. Attend trainings, meetings, workshops, etc. as needed – occasionally during the evening or on weekends

4. Supervise volunteers and/or interns

5. Maintain assigned company vehicle including cleanliness and routine maintenance

6. Work as part of a team to implement the Tree Foundation’s mission to grow stewardship of the urban forest.

7. Perform other job duties as needed

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree preferred. Studies in education, horticulture, forestry, biological sciences, or related field beneficial, but not required.

EXPERIENCE: Experience with non-profit organizations and/or customer service preferred.

SKILLS: Open-minded. Must be willing to meet the community on their terms. Cultural competency and an approach that is appreciative, affirming, and inclusive of all cultural backgrounds. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Superior ability to multi-task and meet deadlines. Attention to detail, creativity, and willingness to try new things is a must.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Must have a Class C driver’s license and a clean driving record. Bilingual (Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Hmong, Tagalog, Vietnamese) abilities highly preferred. Experience with Salesforce or other similar database systems highly preferred. Working knowledge with constituent management systems such as Salesforce is a plus.

TEMPERAMENT: Must be organized and provide detailed record-keeping and extensive customer follow-up. Must be comfortable working in a mission-based, non-profit environment. The ideal candidate for the position will have a passion for our mission and a commitment to excellent customer service.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No formal supervisory role but may supervise interns or volunteers.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This role will be required to work nights and weekends periodically. Both outdoor and in office work is required for this position, the employee may be exposed to extremes in weather including heat, rain, and freezing temperatures as well as extended periods of sitting and standing. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. Will spend a great deal of time traveling throughout Sacramento County.

Compensation

COMPENSATION:

This is an at-will, non-exempt position. Excellent benefits including health care, dental and vision care coverage, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

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