Senior Manager, Urban Forestry Policy (Management & Executives)

Full Time

  TreePeople (https://www.treepeople.org)

  Los Angeles, California, United States

THE ORGANIZATION:

TreePeople works to ensure there is ample tree canopy, healthy soil, and locally- sourced water for a climate-resilient Los Angeles. We do this by working at both the policy level and the grassroots community level to create unstoppable momentum for change. TreePeople has led the facilitation, planning, funding and implementation of numerous multipurpose watershed projects and also planted and cared for over three million trees.

TreePeople is seen as a trusted advisor and ally for community members, the private sector and governmental bodies throughout the region. Our organization’s longstanding commitment to the health, maintenance and protection of mature trees provides the foundation for our ambitious vision of achieving equitable canopy cover throughout the Los Angeles region to protect human health and foster resilient communities in the face of climate change.

POSITION SUMMARY:

TreePeople is seeking a Senior Manager of Urban Forestry Policy to join our Policy team. We’re looking for a motivated, passionate, and highly professional candidate who is eager to shape urban forestry policy and watershed health from the local to the state level. The Senior Manager of Urban Forestry Policy will be responsible for leading the organization’s work in elevating urban forestry as a key strategy for making our cities and communities cooler, more climate-resilient, and more equitable. The ideal candidate will have dynamic experience helping to shape legislation, educating policy makers, planning and/or executing policy initiatives, and engaging with advocacy work that fosters collaboration with a wide array of partners and community members.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Work closely with the Senior Director of Policy and Research, the Director of Research, the Director of Forestry, and Forestry Department staff to develop, regularly refine and execute TreePeople’s urban forestry policy agenda.
  2. Actively research and track progressive local, state and federal policies, laws and practices related to urban forestry and identify opportunities to influence them. Additionally, research leading models in other cities and regions throughout the world to help adapt policy concepts for Los Angeles and California.
  3. Build and carry out plans to create (or modify) and implement new regulations, guidelines, policies and/or laws relating to urban forestry issues (supporting achievement of a healthy tree canopy, pest management, watershed health, tree care and enforcement of best management practices, among other issues.)
  4. Guide integration of urban forestry and green infrastructure into plans, practices and initiatives (parks, transit, public health, climate adaptation, etc) at all levels of government.
  5. Build and manage relationships on behalf of TreePeople with legislators and their staff, agencies, and other key governmental players, and testify on issues related to urban forestry before key governmental bodies.
  6. Cultivate partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders, such as other NGOs and community members, to build a constituency for advocacy efforts around urban forestry.
  7. Work with TreePeople’s Development Team to cultivate funding opportunities for urban forestry priorities.
  8. Write and edit policy briefs, reports, advocacy pieces and other material as necessary.
  9. Work with technical experts such as consultants and academics to expand the breadth and technical aspects of TreePeople’s urban forestry policy and research work in collaboration with TreePeople’s Research and Forestry departments.

REPORTS TO:

Senior Director of Policy and Research

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. A degree in forestry, urban forestry, urban ecology, environmental science, natural resources management or related field, with an emphasis in environmental or public policy. Master’s degree preferred.
  2. A minimum of five years experience in a policy and/or advocate role involving lobbying and/or educating policymakers about urban forestry issues and climate-resilience.
  3. A minimum of five years and advanced knowledge of the principles and practices essential to the planting and management of naturally occurring and planted trees in an urban environment.
  4. Advanced knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and associated issues relating to urban land use.
  5. A deep understanding of how trees and urban forestry advance green infrastructure practices.
  6. Demonstratedleadershipandinitiative.
  7. Acreative,flexibleproblemsolver.
  8. Proven project management skills with attention to detail: planning, organizing and time management.
  9. Strong public speaking, writing and communication skills.
  10. Deep knowledge of Los Angeles-based governmental agencies and community-based organizations.
  11. Commitment to advocating for the environment and communities most impacted by climate change.