Community Forestry Associate (San Fernando Valley)

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit whose mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable, and to share the process as a model for the world. TreePeople is among the largest independent environmental organizations in California. Sustained by a team of educators, foresters, organizers, and administrators as well as thousands of trained “Community Foresters,” TreePeople plays a leading role in mobilizing individuals, private businesses, and government agencies to work together to create resilient communities capable of withstanding the mounting challenges of climate change. For 50 years, TreePeople has partnered with community volunteers to plant and care for millions of trees throughout the cities and mountains of Southern California.

TreePeople is seeking individuals interested in community forestry to join our team as a Community Forestry Associate. The Community Forestry program engages, inspires, and supports residents to take environmental action in their communities. This position will conduct various aspects of the project such as tree planting, tree maintenance, volunteer coordination, community engagement, and data collection within the Northeast Valley and surrounding communities.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization of community tree planting and tree care events with local volunteers.
• Plant and maintain 15-gallon street trees throughout the work week.
• Assist with community workshops and volunteer led events, attend site visits, and help manage and maintain TreePeople tool inventory and trucks.
• Drive a truck to transport trees and water trees throughout the work week.
• Support the participation of volunteers in urban tree planting and care events.
• Utilize and maintain tree data through TreePeople’s web-based inventory.
• Gather, monitor and track data of tree plantings through GPS and site maps to comply with funding reporting and to ensure successful implementation of tree maintenance plans.
• Participate and represent TreePeople at meetings and community events as needed.
• Maintain communication with community volunteers to carry out necessary tree maintenance until the community is self-sustaining in the stewardship of their trees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Strong leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized, strong work ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick learner.
• Interested in local climate resilience and environmental issues impacting communities throughout Southern California.
• Spanish fluency is preferred.
• Valid CA Driver’s license and clean driving record desired to perform job-related essential functions.
• Available to work a flexible schedule that will include weekends.
• Current residency in the San Fernando Valley is preferred.

Physical Job Requirements

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand-to-eye coordination.
• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools including but not limited to shovels, breaker bars,rakes, brooms, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, blowers, augers.
• Must be able to carry and walk with 50 pounds for at least 50 feet.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Must be able to load and unload 15-gallon trees from a stakebed truck.
• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, i.e., rain, heat, sun, cold.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.