Job Description: Trees Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) plays an essential role in the vitality of the Philadelphia region by creating healthier living environments, increasing access to fresh food, growing economic opportunity, and building deeper social connections between people. PHS Healthy Neighborhoods team delivers this impact through comprehensive greening and engagement initiatives in more than 250 neighborhoods. Together with community partners, PHS carefully designs projects that build on neighborhood strengths and aspirations to use greening to improve the environment, health, and quality of life in their communities. To increase a healthy, diverse, and resilient tree canopy in southeastern Pennsylvania, PHS educates residents on tree care and facilitates volunteer tree planting and stewardship. PHS also connects partner organizations with funding and support needed to increase tree cover in riparian habitats across the region. The Trees Specialist will build capacity for the Trees Team through centralized data management, systems improvements, operational support, and outreach efforts to prioritize equity in our tree planting activities.

 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS RELATIVE IMPORTANCE

Operational Support 65%

General Data Management– Build capacity for Trees Team by taking the lead on data management. Create and maintain meticulous records to support the procurement and distribution of trees, supplies, permits and removal of pavement for tree planting. Oversee and manage all grant application, tree application and planting records, including those within the PHS Urban Forest Cloud (a database mapping tool). Lead training and support for volunteer/staff users of the Cloud.

Tree Permit Application Processing & Management-  Lead the collection and processing of tree planting applications from Tree Tenders groups Support communication with Tree Tender groups and applicants to process and confirm tree applications and permits. Manage submission of application paperwork and data to Phila Parks and Recreation. Ensure all paperwork and data is accurate, kept up-to-date and changes communicated.

 

 

Tree Supply Procurement and Distribution

Coordinate tree and planting supply procurement orders with vendors. Support the distribution of trees and supplies to Tree Tenders groups twice a year.

Tree Health and Stewardship Monitoring – Support PHS tree monitoring efforts and data management. Work with staff and volunteers to collect data related to the survival rate, growth, stewardship and health of trees planted through PHS programs.

Tree Pit Cut Surveys & Contract Management– Perform field surveys on properties needing concrete cuts for the creation of tree pits. Coordinate pit-cutting work with contractors to ensure work is completed accurately and in a timely manner. Prepare bid and contract documents and review/submit invoices for payment.   Ensure project tracking and site data are kept up to date and integrated with planting records.

 

Outreach 20%

Conduct outreach to individuals, nonprofits, civic organizations, schools, and places of worship in PHS priority neighborhoods to expand Tree Tenders activity and establish new Tree Tenders groups.

Support Tree Tenders Program Manager to onboard new Tree Tenders groups and start them actively planning tree plantings in their communities.

Work with Trees Team to develop new strategies for promoting Tree Tenders programming in priority neighborhoods.

Grant Management 10%

Assist with processing and management of TreeVitalize Watershed grant applications. Provide administrative support to Trees Team and Watershed Coordinators in grant review process and collect and maintain records of all grantee projects.

Work with Finance Team and Regional Watershed Coordinators to process TreeVitalize Watershed grantees’ reimbursement paperwork and ensure timely payments and reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reporting 5%

Support Trees Team in compiling quantitative and narrative reports of proposed and completed deliverables, including required grant reporting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS / QUALIFICATIONS

Education / years & type of experience: Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent work experience. At least 1 year of work experience.

 

Certifications, Licenses, Credentials: 

• Valid driver’s license and clean, safe driving record

Baseline Knowledge & Skills:

• Highly proficient with basic computer software, including Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and Google Maps 

• Highly proficient with data entry and management 

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills across constituencies, including and not limited to team members, program participants, and community residents

• Experience in facilitation, community organizing and training skills with diverse groups across race, culture, language, class and urban/rural divides

• Passion for community-led greening 

• Experience working with volunteers and organizing community service projects

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects while adhering to deadlines

• Knowledge of arboriculture, particularly urban forestry, preferred; ISA arborist certification or willingness to obtain certification, a plus 

• Familiarity with the Philadelphia and surrounding counties and comfort traveling throughout the city and region a plus 

• Experience with GIS preferred but not required

• Knowledge of environmental justice and equity issues, a plus

• Spanish language a plus.