Working Woods Manager

The Community Forestry & Conservation department seeks a Working Woods Manager to join our team at Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G). The Working Woods Manager is primarily responsible for coordinating scientifically based management and outreach to restore the aesthetic, environmental, and economic values of trees and forests to communities in northeast Ohio and the Great Lakes region. The position is focused on Holden Arboretum’s Working Woods resource hub, including the Working Woods Learning Forest and educational resources.  This position will work to elevate Holden Forests & Gardens’ forestry outreach, creating a regional educational focal point where landowners, professionals, policy makers and the public can come for forest management guidelines and knowledge. The manager will supervise a small team of staff and work with conservation and research staff internally to coordinate management and research of Working Woods learning forest and extension.  Externally, they will collaborate with agency peers and community partners to share knowledge and expertise on regionwide forest conservation efforts across the Great Lakes region.  Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. HF&G strives for a welcoming workplace where everyone feels that they belong. This role is based at the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH with occasional travel to the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, OH. Position Details:

• Reports to the Director of Community Forestry and Conservation
• Exempt Position
• Full-Time
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities of the Working Woods Manager, include, but are not limited to:to:

• Supports Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission, vision, and values
• Leads and coordinates development of Holden Forests & Gardens’ Working Woods Resource Hub activities, demonstrations, and  community outreach and engagement efforts
• Directs forest management of Working Woods Learning Forest and extensions projects, including leading development of non-timber forest products and other demonstrations
• Maintains positive relationships with appropriate local, state and national professional organizations through participation on boards and with communities
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to the public and specialized professional audiences
• Works independently on diverse tasks and meet deadlines
• Skill, experience, and temperament for collaboration, negotiation, and decision-making, including promoting teamwork within a program area, interdepartmentally and with outside partners
• Complete necessary paperwork, screen, interview, onboard, and train new hires in collaboration with Human Resources
• Provide supervision and guidance to direct reports including hiring, training, goal setting, and appraisal
• Evening and weekend work as needed
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable motor vehicle record
• Other relevant duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
• Master’s degree preferred, in forestry, environmental education or related degree, or Bachelor’s degree plus equivalent experience
• 5 years’ experience with community forestry, environmental outreach or environmental education
• Strong communication skills along with a proven record of public presentation activities and media experience
• Capable and effective at communication and the ability to manage direct reports
• Experience supervising a team of direct reports, preferred
• Ability to assimilate and translate into common language a considerable body of tree and related information, including the latest research findings
• Experience in grant writing
• Experience writing for professional audiences
• Enjoys engaging with people

Physical Requirements:Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Communicate over the telephone, in person and electronically
• Have reliable transportation to attend meetings and events within the state of Ohio and occasionally beyond
• Able to ascend/descend stairs on occasion and travel by foot on unpaved or uneven terrain to transport oneself to various locations on arboretum property
• Reach, kneel, bend and twist at waist, bend at knees, crouch, see, touch, grasp objects, push, pull