Director, Urban Forestry, Pacific Northwest & West Coast

The Director will lead AF’s strategy to delivery our resources throughout the West Coast and collaborate across a team of urban forestry professionals who work together to support cities and states in committing to and advancing Tree Equity using best-in-class forestry tools and resources provided by AF and its partners. The Director will help cities in the planning and advancement of Tree Equity within their urban forestry programs, with first focus on Washington State. The Director will work with AF staff to:  

• Develop city and state partnerships and coalitions to garner commitments to Tree Equity
• Support stakeholders in adopting our tools and resources to advance their Tree Equity programs via learning opportunities, hands-on technical assistance, and regional and statewide Tree Equity coalitions, starting with the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative.
• Identify and pursue public and private funding opportunities to advance regional Tree Equity strategies
• Maintain awareness of urban forestry issues and relationships with regional and national leaders apply knowledge and direct resources within the West Coast region. 
• Serve as American Forests’ expert on all aspects of urban forestry, tree species, cultural dynamics, and other related topics across the West Coast.

The Director will additionally ensure seamless internal coordination and accountability, as needed, among AF’s diverse Tree Equity teams, including youth and workforce development, community engagement, grantmaking, research, GIS, and Federal Policy staff as they support our larger program goals.   

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

Place-Based/Regional Strategy and Implementation (65%) 

• Develop & Implement Regional Strategy – Develop and implement a regional strategy that directly supports AF’s national strategy in garnering city- and state-level Tree Equity commitments and supporting urban forestry departments in advancing Tree Equity. This includes developing and sustaining relationships to foster strategic partnerships; providing learning opportunities and hands-on technical assistance; and launching and supporting coalitions of partners – all in alignment with American Forests urban forestry program model utilizing our science-based tools and resources.
• Foster Strategic Partnerships – Conduct outreach to cultivate (new) and steward (existing) relationships with urban forestry practitioners; state urban & community forestry coordinators; state environmental and natural resources departments; state urban forestry councils; and regional US Forest Service urban & community forestry program managers. Attend and present at key meetings to support their city networks in adopting our tools and resources to advance their Tree Equity programs and identify new funding opportunities.
• Provide Learning Opportunities – support and at times co-lead national educational strategies, while also leading regional and local educational strategies to support cities in committing to and advancing Tree Equity. This will include developing and delivering presentations and trainings at conferences, meetings, and events, as well as maintaining a portfolio of cities to provide recurring 1:1 coaching.
• Provide Hands-On Technical Assistance – Develop partnerships, scope opportunities, and identify funding sources to provide direct, hands-on support to cities in advancing their Tree Equity programs, utilizing American Forests’ tools and resources. The Director will manage relationships and provide leadership on American Forests’ projects and initiatives in the region, including assisting with American Forests’ events and corporate tree plantings, and providing on-going technical assistance to American Forests’ Catalyst Fund & Initiative subawards in the West Coast region.
• Support Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative – Support partnership leaders in coordinating meetings, workgroups and in-person events; conducting outreach to engage new cities; and providing thought leadership to ensure coalition partners have the tools and resources needed to commit to and advance Tree Equity. Collaborate with coalition partners on developing and implementing local and national fundraising strategies to sustain partnership goals.
• Washington State Tree Equity Score Analyzer Community Engagement – Collaborate with American Forests’ GIS & Data Science team to support community engagement efforts with stakeholders from across the state, including hosting meetings to review progress and gather feedback. Provide on-going technical assistance and trainings to cities across Washington State in utilizing the tool for decision-making and impact communications, including incorporating the tool into the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative’s goals and strategies.

National Program Support (20%) 

• National Program Support – where opportunities arise outside of the West Coast region, support efforts to establish partnerships and programs in new cities and geographies.

Administration (15%) 

• Marketing & Communications - Serve as a key resource for prepping both internal and public communications related to American Forests’ urban forestry impact across the West Coast region, including participating in interviews and other media requests as American Forests’ regional expert.
• Budgeting – Support Tree Equity Operations team in developing and managing budgets for grant proposals, contracts, and subawards to secure and manage revenue in support of the regional strategy.
• Fundraising - Alongside the Senior Director and Tree Equity Operations and Leadership, collaborate with the Philanthropy on submitting proposals, assisting with donor communications, and generating reports and invoices to advance Field Delivery fundraising needs and operations on the West Coast.
• Operations - Manage and report regional project information, including developing regional project budgets and project narratives upon request. Provide additional support on other duties as assigned to collaborate across the team and ensure the successful delivery and administration of team strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS 

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities: 

• 7+ years of professional urban forestry experience in the Pacific Northwest or the West Coast, with established relationships with cities and states, state urban and community forestry councils and regional coordinators, USFS regional foresters, community-based organizations, and funders.
• ISA Certified Arborist with a degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, forestry or related field and significant technical knowledge in arboriculture and urban forestry
• Advanced knowledge of American Forests’ tools and resources, with a preference for candidates who can translate technical knowledge for diverse audiences.
• Experience in forming and leading partnerships, particularly in the context of regional or statewide cross-sector coalitions.
• Experience growing and managing complex projects in a remote environment, including developing and driving forward KPIs. 
• Commitment to proactively pursue technical assistance and revenue generation opportunities and results around Tree Equity at multiple scales. 
• Experience either directly managing or being accountable for diverse and complex budgets and grants, including both private and public funding; strong acumen in research and grant writing; ease of working with Marketing and Communications and Philanthropy.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to confidently and persuasively sustain productive partnerships.
• Quick learner with exceptional attention to detail, with ability to work in a fast-paced environment and take initiative to develop systems that enhance team efficiency.

AMERICAN FORESTS’ CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• Attitude: Brings a positive outlook to the work and helps inspires others to achieve excellence. 
• Communication: Produces strong written documents, edits documents effectively, engages in effective verbal communication—1-on-1 and small group—and conducts effective large group presentations. 
• Organization: Prioritizes tasks effectively, accomplishes tasks efficiently, follows through on all commitments, breaks down large projects to make them manageable, and effectively manages complex projects involving multiple actors. 
• Problem-Solving & Creativity: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyzes data to produce insights, and generates wise, actionable recommendations. Understands the limited resources available and produces creative solutions. 
• Representing the Organization: Serves as an effective ambassador, builds connections, and maintains relationships with outside partners, vendors and donors. Brings credibility to the organization in how they present themselves. 

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS 

This is a remote position, with preference given to candidates in Seattle/Tacoma, Washington. Up to 25% of travel to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington, D.C. or throughout the U.S. for key stakeholder meetings, events and projects may be required.  

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.  

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS 

This position does not have any supervisory requirements.