Beltline Arboretum Associate Director

Trees Atlanta; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) Retirement Savings

Paid time off

Medical and Dental insurance

Job summary

A non-profit organization focused on urban forestry is seeking an experienced Associate Director for the Beltline Arboretum. The role includes managing teams, overseeing horticultural practices, and contributing to environmental education programs. Ideal candidates will have significant management experience in horticulture and a relevant degree. This full-time position is primarily office-based in Atlanta, GA.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of management level experience required.
• Ability to manage large teams effectively.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Trees Atlanta’s mission through planting, conservation, and education.
• Oversee strategy and policy for Arboretum collections.
• Supervise manager-level employees and their teams.

Skills

Management experience in horticulture

Team leadership

Strong knowledge of taxonomy

Proficiency in GIS software

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in horticulture or related field

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Beltline Arboretum Associate Director role at Trees Atlanta

Employment Type: Full-Time

Employment Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Conservation

Apply By: September 12th, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: October 29th, 2025

Salary: $70,000-$80,000

Benefits: 403(b) Retirement Savings with Pre and Post-Tax deferral options available on day one (matched at 3% after the first anniversary). Eligible after 90-Day Probationary period: Paid time off, Paid Holidays including your Birthday, Subsidized Medical and Dental insurance, Ancillary Insurance (Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, ID Shield, Legal Shield)

Trees Atlanta is a nationally recognized non-profit community group that protects and improves Atlanta’s urban forest by planting, conserving, and educating. Founded in 1985, Trees Atlanta works tirelessly to address Atlanta’s tree loss, protect its forests, and create new greenspace. Empowered by its wonderful community of volunteers, Trees Atlanta serves the metro Atlanta area, and has grown to become one of Atlanta’s most widely known and supported non-profit organizations. Trees Atlanta developed the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum in 2006. The arboretum is the longest linear arboretum in the country and is one of three public gardens in Atlanta.

Job Description

Trees Atlanta is looking for a qualified and motivated leader to curate existing plantings and energize the continued growth of the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, which includes planting of new corridor sections and collections, landscape capital improvements, and long-term Arboretum care. This individual will manage all Beltline staff teams and related budgets within Trees Atlanta, and will work with Education and Marketing Directors to promote the Arboretum and develop environmental, ecological and horticultural educational programming in line with Trees Atlanta’s mission. The Associate Director will also collaborate with designers, directors, and other staff to develop and implement new arboretum spaces.

Responsibilities

• Support Trees Atlanta’s mission, and that of the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, via planting, conservation, and education.
• Oversee and develop strategy and policy around Arboretum collections (general and specialized)
• Supervise two manager-level employees and direct their distinct teams (capital improvements and collections management), comprising 30 permanent staff members
• Identify staffing needs and refine staffing structure in line with predicted future Arboretum growth and development
• Develop management plan and operational guides for continuing aesthetic and performance improvements of plantings
• Provide financial oversight of annual program budgets and billing, as well as contract estimates for capital improvements
• Collaborate and communicate with other departments at Trees Atlanta where intersectionality with the Arboretum occurs, including education, marketing, fundraising, volunteer services, and operations
• Provide input to and implement ecologically sound urban design for the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, working under contract with Atlanta Beltline Inc. (ABI) in conjunction with the Arboretum Project Manager
• Collaborate with Atlanta BeltLine Inc and the Atlanta Parks Department as needed
• Assist with the development and implementation of remote operations sites for Beltline teams (in conjunction with the Associate Director of Operations)
• Guide changes to Arboretum plantings and programs in order to achieve Level III Arboretum certification by 2030
• Represent Trees Atlanta at meetings with partners, conferences, and Arboretum tours

Requirements

• A minimum of five years of experience at management level in horticulture, landscape management, or garden management required
• Demonstrated ability to manage a large team
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in horticulture, landscape design, botany or related field preferred
• Willingness to work in a collaborative nonprofit work environment
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous tasks
• Strong knowledge of taxonomy, plant identification (both native and nonnative), and horticultural best practices
• Experience with GIS software or other accessioning systems
• This role requires the employee to be primarily in the office, and is not remote.

Additional Benefits

Coverage of exam fees for professional landscape architecture certification (employee must meet qualifications to take exams).

To Apply

Please visit our employment page at https://www.treesatlanta.org/get-involved/career-opportunities/. Applicants must upload a cover letter and a resume in order to complete and submit the application.

Background Check and Drug Screening Disclaimer

• All final candidates will be required to pass both a criminal background check and drug screening; adverse results could impact hiring (Trees Atlanta is a participant in the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program).
• Final candidates applying for positions that require driving company-owned vehicles will also have to pass a Motor Vehicle Report review to determine eligibility. Eligible drivers must also pass a DOT physical.
• All new hires will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States of America. Trees Atlanta complies with regulations set by the Department of Homeland Security. Trees Atlanta is a registered E-Verify employer.