Manager of Urban Forestry (Urban Forestry)

Full Time

  Western Reserve Land Conservancy

  Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Western Reserve Land Conservancy has an immediate opening for a Manager of  Urban Forestry. This full-time position will be based at the organization’s Thriving Communities office, which is located in Ohio City at 2012 W. 25th Street, Suite 504, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.

Background

Western Reserve Land Conservancy provides the people of northeast Ohio with essential natural assets through land conservation and restoration. Headquartered in Moreland Hills, Ohio, we are the largest land conservancy in Ohio, employing over 40 people in offices throughout northern and eastern portions of the state. Our land conservation team has conserved more than 56,000 acres of natural area and working farms in 23 Ohio counties. Thriving Communities, our urban revitalization program, is nationally recognized for thought leadership on removing blight; creating land banks to find productive uses for vacant properties; and revitalizing communities through greening strategies. Our mission is funded through a combination of program revenue, government grants, consulting fees and philanthropic gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.

Position Summary

The Manager of Urban Forestry (“Manager”) is responsible for leading the community forestry initiatives for Western Reserve Land Conservancy throughout northeast Ohio. This person is the primary source of forestry expertise for all of the Land Conservancy’s urban and community forestry projects. The Manager is responsible for coordinating the full range of activities required to implement targeted projects and will be expected to set annual goals, establish timelines and budgets, collaborate with internal staff and external partners, coordinate activities across teams and track progress and results. The Manager will also assist in grant writing, preparing reports and maintaining accurate records across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

  • Lead planning for the Land Conservancy’s yearly urban tree planting projects, including site and species selection, planting plans and supplies
  • Develop and implement annual tree maintenance plans, including trimming/removal, fertilization and watering
  • Ensure database of Land Conservancy-planted trees is maintained and current
  • Manage relationships with tree planting partner organizations
  • Coordinate with Land Conservancy Development staff to ensure partner organizations have an excellent experience with planting projects
  • Manage oversight of seasonal tree crew and/or contractors related to planting site preparation and ongoing tree maintenance
  • Manage the acquisition of quality tree stock at best possible price and ensure trees are well maintained while in storage
  • Ensure urban forestry equipment is well maintained and securely stored when not in use
  • Manage inventory of tools, acquire new tools as needed and ensure tools are well maintained and securely stored when not in use
  • Effectively represent the Land Conservancy with external organizations, such as the Cleveland Tree Coalition
  • Plan and implement community Tree Steward training program, including conducting Tree Steward training sessions and managing cohort of Tree Steward graduates
  • Provide forestry expertise as requested for other Land Conservancy departments and/or external partners and stakeholders
  • Assist with writing grants related to community forestry or other areas as requested
  • Work evenings and weekends as needed to support tree plantings, training sessions and related activities

Required Education, Experience, Capabilities

  • At least 5 years of experience, preferably in urban forestry; experience in forestry, natural resources or conservation will also be considered
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, with major in forestry, environmental science or natural resources strongly preferred
  • ISA Certified Arborist designation required, with certification as a Municipal Arborist strongly preferred
  • Background in public greening projects with some exposure to landscape architecture helpful
  • Possess strong communication skills, both written and oral
  • Manage multiple projects concurrently and effectively
  • Collaborate with a wide variety of partners and volunteers, including community residents, government officials, for-profit corporations and non-profit organizations
  • Demonstrate strong detail management skills
  • Travel as needed to planting sites and other project locations
  • Able to meet physical demands of tree planting program, including digging holes, placing trees of various sizes, hauling supplies, etc.
  • Possess prior experience with Microsoft Office products
  • Embrace and advocate the mission of Western Reserve Land Conservancy