Forestry Program Coordinator (TreeKeepers)

Join the Openlands Forestry Team as the TreeKeepers Program Coordinator. This position will facilitate the TreeKeepers courses, coordinate and support TreeKeeper workdays, and assist TreeKeeper Chapters. This position is involved in the strategic delivery, development, and support of one of our region’s most amazing assets, the TreeKeepers network.

We are looking for an aspiring urban forestry professional who loves working with a wide diversity of people. Showcase your urban forestry skills and enthusiasm by joining our team!

The ideal candidate is an aspiring urban forestry professional, enthusiastic, self-motivated and loves working with a wide diversity of people. The candidate should possess excellent communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and teaching; be able to oversee numerous, diverse projects simultaneously; and have a genuine interest in addressing climate change and tree equity. 

Candidates should feel comfortable speaking about urban forestry, its benefits and its practical application to both professionals and newcomers. Candidates should be confident in demonstrating and overseeing basic tree care activities such as tree identification/inventory, pruning, planting, and mulching.

The primary role of the Forestry Program Coordinator is to be the point of contact for the Openlands TreeKeepers network, facilitate the delivery of Openlands TreeKeepers Course, support programming and events, assist TreeKeepers and TreeKeeper Chapters in their work and develop a burgeoning Spanish speaking contingent of Openlands Forestry programming.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position, and requires flexibility with occasional weekends and evenings during the year. This position reports to the TreeKeepers Program Specialist. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate the Openlands TreeKeeper Courses from start to finish multiple times each year- be the program lead for registration and course payments, coordinate and schedule instructors, plan classroom logistics, outside fieldwork components, classroom, and field-based skills testing
• Ensure the delivery of the TreeKeepers program is up to Openlands standards 
• Assist in refining, developing, and innovating existing and future TreeKeeper Course curriculum and delivery methods 
• Assist established TreeKeepers Chapters to identify annual goals and priorities, organize and support TreeKeeper Chapter initiatives, workdays events, and meetings. 
• Facilitate general TreeKeeper workdays- coordinate tools, landscape materials, event registration, event communication, necessary permits, and post event reporting
• Connect existing TreeKeepers to other Openlands Forestry opportunities
• Teach and oversee workshops, trainings, fieldwork, or other public engagement activities to the TreeKeeper and general audience related to urban forestry
• Create and implement programming to support Spanish language initiatives
• Ensure volunteer and event tracking databases and up to date and accurate 
• Collaborate and develop new relationships with partner organizations 
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

 Job Requirements and Qualifications 

• High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree preferred  
• Volunteer management experience 
• Read, write, and converse fluently in the Spanish language 
• Familiarity working in Southwest Chicago community areas 
• Fieldwork experience with at least one year planting and caring for trees 
• Current ISA arborist certification or strong desire to obtain ISA arborist certification when qualified 
• Ability to identify common Midwest and urban tree species and associated pests, diseases, and environmental factors that affect young trees 
• Computer literacy including ability to use programs such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. 
• Ability to lift 50 pounds occasionally and?ability to stand, crouch, and perform various types of manual labor;?willing and able to work outdoors all year round 
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License and reliable transportation. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment 
• Must be punctual and reliable. Position requires a high level of energy, motivation, creativity, persistence, and a positive attitude 

Cover letter and resume required for full consideration.