Community Forester – Santa Clara County

Community Forester (Santa Clara County – Planting)
Full Time at 40 hrs/week – Non Exempt*
Local position based in Palo Alto, CA

Canopy is a growing urban and community forestry nonprofit with a track record of delivering high quality, innovative programs that bring nature into neighborhoods throughout the Midpeninsula. Canopy staff and volunteers strive toward excellence, equity, collaboration, and gratitude in the work we do, and welcome candidates that share these values. We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our team and grow with us as we work towards our vision: a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to move, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.

Position Summary
Under the direction of the Community Forestry Manager, the Santa Clara County Community Forester will be responsible for leading Canopy’s tree programs for the City of Palo Alto and Mountain View, primarily by organizing tree planting and stewardship activities with key partners, tracking the work, and delivering on our contracts and grants in those service areas. The ideal candidate will be able to set and meet ambitious program goals, effectively balance office work and fieldwork, and collaborate on shared goals with teammates. This position is an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of urban forestry, to work collaboratively with others, and to affect positive change in our communities and the environment. Work week Tuesday through Saturday, with occasional early mornings and evenings.

Responsibilities
The Santa Clara County Community Forester will spend approximately:

• 75-80% tree plantings in Palo Alto and Mountain View (For Allocations: A. Tree Plantings)
• 15-20% tree care in Palo Alto and Mountain View (For Allocations: B. Tree Care)
• 5% misc program support (For Allocation: G. Shared Programs)
  Duties and Responsibilities
• Primarily responsible for managing Canopy’s tree planting programs in Palo Alto and Mountain View, including:
  • Engaging individual residents and getting them excited about planting trees at their homes and in their community
  • Work with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager to recruit community groups and individuals to become tree champions and work with them to organize tree planting events, occasionally with a post-planting potluck/celebration
  • Work with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager to coordinate volunteers and support staff and logistics related to hosting tree plantings and engaging volunteers and high school interns in plantings
  • Collaborating with communications and outreach staff to produce public information for the program, and creatively seek out partnerships throughout Canopy service areas
  • Coordinate tree care activities in Palo Alto and Mountain View with other tree program staff
  • Organize and coordinate Palo Alto’s annual summer young tree inventory, the Young Tree Care Survey
• Track work in Salesforce, Tree Plotter, and other means as needed, managing the data with the Community Forestry Manager
• Together with the Community Forestry Manager, report program outcomes to communications and fundraising staff, and clients and funders. This includes coordinating and drafting city reports and other grants as needed
• Support colleagues with some planting and other events in other cities (Eg. East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City) as needed
• Assist with special events, education, and tablings/outreach, especially that relates to work in Palo Alto and Mountain View
• Assist with volunteer training, appreciation, and retention efforts
• Help with special projects or tasks depending on skills and interests

Schedule
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week. The work week is Tuesday through Saturday, with occasional early mornings and evenings. This position will require local fieldwork and in-office work days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise, the work environment is hybrid and offers much flexibility.

Preferred Qualifications and experience

• Lived experience or experience working with untapped communities.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Tongan, Samoan, or Mandarin.
• Passion for trees, equity, and access to urban nature; willingness to memorize tree-specific information.
• Knowledge and/or experience in arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, landscape management or design, or related fields.
• Experience performing fieldwork outdoors with trees and/or plants.
• Experience installing and repairing irrigation is a plus.
• Experience organizing events and motivating others; volunteer coordination experience is a plus.
• Experience using an online database, such as Salesforce and GIS. Experience with online tree mapping software like TreePlotter is a plus.
• Expertise in Google Suite.
• Several years of driving experience. Experience driving a trailer is a plus.
• Being an ISA Certified Arborist is a plus but not required, though we ask that you study for and plan to take the exam during your position at Canopy if you are hired and are not yet a certified arborist. Training and/or study materials for the exam will be provided, and Canopy will cover the cost of the certification exam registration. Studying for the exam will take place during working hours.

Requirements

• CA Drivers License
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to bend, squat, stoop, and stand for long periods of time frequently.
• Ability to sit and type frequently.

View this job description on our website here.

* A Non-exempt Employee is provided meal and rest breaks consistent with California law and overtime pay for working over 40 hours in one workweek or 8 hours in one day.