Community Arborist & Educator

Community Arborist and Educator

JOB SEARCH IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. Thank you for your interest in this role! TreesCharlotte is no longer accepting applications for this position. Please check back on our site regularly for future opportunities.

Position Overview:

TreesCharlotte is seeking a knowledgeable, energetic, environmentally minded professional as TreesCharlotte’s Community Arborist and Educator in the Charlotte area. Education is the cornerstone to TreesCharlotte’s mission. Despite our efforts to plant and distribute thousands of trees each year, saving Charlotte’s tree canopy starts with changing hearts and changing minds. We are looking for candidates who will help TreesCharlotte equip future tree advocates and encourage Charlotteans to be good stewards of their own trees.

The ideal candidate will have a background as an arborist, in forestry and/or environmental studies, with the willingness and ability to obtain their ISA arborist certification. This individual will also have a passion for mission-driven work, an engaging teaching ability, and a knack for achieving meaningful results.

About TreesCharlotte:

TreesCharlotte is a public/private nonprofit collaboration to grow, diversify and steward the city’s iconic urban forest. Trained volunteers and science-based programs teach residents about the value of trees and how to plant and care for them.

Responsibilities:

The Community Arborist & Educator is responsible for leading all of our educational programs and activities as well as mapping out our tree plantings through research and site specifications.

Arborist Responsibilities: 

• Assess tree needs for planting locations alongside the Community Engagement Manager.
• Use arboricultural knowledge to make tree species recommendations for planting sites while taking into consideration the urban aspects of tree growth, landscape, utilities, wants and needs of the community, and biodiversity of site.
• Create planting plans for all planting sites including but not limited to CommunityWoods, Treesilience, and school plantings.
• The Community Arborist and Educator will offer advice and expertise for the many tree questions we receive.  Other communication duties include but are not limited to:
  • Fostering relationships with CMS Property Management and City of Charlotte Landscape Management
  • Co-managing tree inventory and tree growers’ relationships in partnership with the Business Director.
  • Co-coordinating tree and mulch deliveries and day of inventory drops with the Business Director.
  • Coordinating assistance of City of Charlotte Landscape Management employees for plantings and adoptions within the City of Charlotte.
• Assist with TreeAdoptions by:
  • Contributing to tree selections.
  • Creating tree species information, including large format posters and handouts.
  • Be readily available and knowledgeable to answer questions in advance, day of, and after.
• Keep all tree species information on our website and in paper materials up to date and accurate.
• Assist with large format printing of materials for events (such as maps and sponsorship signs)

Education: TreesCharlotte gets many requests from residents, civic, and corporate groups asking for tree advice and presentations. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Presenting interactive, fun programs at local schools and summer camps.
• Growing and enhancing TreesCharlotte’s existing K-12 activities, while creating new programming as needed.
• Conducting presentations about TreesCharlotte’s mission.
• Creating and leading workshops, lunch and learns, classes, tree walks and other interactive events to educate citizens about trees.  Some of these workshops include:
  • How to prune and care for young trees
  • Invasive ivy control methods
  • Tree ID walks
• Co-leading TreeAmbassador training with the Community Engagement Manager to empower volunteers to represent TreesCharlotte at outreach events and school visits.
• Writing blogs for the TreesCharlotte website and newsletter to educate larger audiences about trees and how to care for them.
• Creating content for our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn) and website to educate on the benefits of trees, the science of trees, and other relevant topics.
• Creating videos to simply explain concepts that enhance citizens’ understanding of the value of and care for trees.
• Taking a lead on the Treasure Tree Program to crowdsource large trees in Mecklenburg County, measure said trees, and create promotional materials around the Treasure Trees through:
  • Website management, self-guided walks, tags, door hangers and marketing of program

TreeCare: Our Community Arborist and Educator will use quantitative and qualitative data to track our past plantings to assess the health of the trees planted and their survivability by:

• Leading planting, mulching, and pruning demonstrations for volunteers and assuring quality control during events.
• Leading TreeKeeper training and managing TreeKeepers on location throughout the pruning season (November through March).
• Visiting past planting sites on an annual basis to check the status of the trees and providing feedback to the team.
• Using a scorecard method to evaluate and record data on the health, survivorship, and diversity of TreesCharlotte’s trees on an annual basis.
• Using data from TreeCare assessments to make thoughtful suggestions on program changes, including but not limited, to how to better serve a former or future planting.
• Assisting in mature tree assessments and tree species surveying during Treesilience programs.

Keys to Success

• “Team-over-self” personality; professional, energetic, and positive attitude.
• Highly developed organizational skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Aptitude for taking concepts and developing concrete programming.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and presentation skills, especially, delivering complex concepts in an easy-to-understand style.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Ecology, Horticulture, or related field (arborist certification preferred but not required*):
  • *Candidates without an ISA arborist certification will be asked to complete certification within one year of hire.
• Robust knowledge of North Carolina’s trees, plant biology, tree care, and urban forestry.
• Ease and ability to work with children of all ages.
• Ability to work Saturdays, especially during planting season (late September through March), and the occasional weeknight.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is a must, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Prior knowledge of or ability to quickly learn and use a variety of other software platforms (i.e. WordPress, GivePulse, Canva).
• Ability to engage in physical activity, including walking and standing for extended periods, moving around event materials and lifting up to 40lbs.
• Valid driver’s license with a driving record that meets insurance requirements and access to reliable transportation.
• Willingness and ability to drive pickup truck and trailer.
• A love of trees and the desire to grow Charlotte’s tree canopy!

Compensation:

• Salary commensurate with experience and Charlotte market
• Full-time position, including Saturdays, especially during planting season (late September through March), and the occasional weeknight
• 50% medical insurance, 100% vision and dental
• 2% Simple IRA company contribution
• Competitive PTO schedule with days awarded, not accrued
• 12 additional paid office holidays
• Respect for work-life balance, including consideration of flexible schedules
• Opportunity to build a legacy through strengthening Charlotte’s iconic urban fores

Interested candidates should send an email, resume, and cover letter to Heike Biller, Business Director, heike@treescharlotte.org.  Please include your last name and “TreesCharlotte Community Arborist and Educator” in the subject. At this time, we are not accepting phone calls about this position.

TreesCharlotte does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices, or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age, sex or sexual orientation.

We also recognize that there is no “perfect candidate” and that fit, and potential can be a greater success than experience or skills, so we encourage those interested to apply, even if they only have some of the requested skills, knowledge, and experience.