Community Engagement Coordinator

TreesUpstate; South Carolina; Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

Paid holidays

Mileage reimbursement for travel

Phone stipend

Job summary

TreesUpstate seeks a confident Community Engagement Coordinator to connect residents with the benefits of trees. The hybrid role blends field work with volunteer coordination across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and surrounding areas in Upstate South Carolina.

The role requires building partnerships with schools, government agencies, and community organizations, while leading programs like Adopt-a-Tree and Tree Keepers, and traveling regularly to volunteer sites and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, education, social sciences, nonprofit management, or related field or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of experience in community engagement, outreach, or volunteer coordination.
• Ability to work independently in a hybrid/remote environment while remaining engaged with community members.
• Strong understanding of equity and inclusion in environmental or community work.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms).
• Ability to perform manual outdoor work and lift up to 50 pounds; willingness to travel regularly.

Responsibilities

• Lead community outreach and relationship-building across priority areas and underserved neighborhoods.
• Represent TreesUpstate at meetings, events, volunteer days, and school programs.
• Develop planting opportunities and oversee 30+ annual planting events.
• Recruit, train, and engage volunteers; coordinate canvassing and outreach.
• Collaborate with marketing to capture photos and stories; update event calendars.
• Manage Tree Keepers and Tree Captains programs; oversee CRM and Tree-Plotter usage.
• Track grants and provide impact data; perform other duties in community engagement.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public outreach

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, education, social sciences, nonprofit management, or related field

Tools

CRM Neon One

Tree-Plotter

Google Workspace

Job description

Location: Greenville, Spartanburg, and/or Anderson, South Carolina

Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $25 per hour

Anticipated Start Date: November 16, 2026

About TreesUpstate

TreesUpstate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 with a mission to plant, promote, and protect trees throughout Upstate South Carolina. With more than 60,000 trees planted and given away, our vision is a sustainable urban forest that enhances the aesthetic, economic, environmental, and social well-being of our communities. Learn more at www.TreesUpstate.org .

Position Summary

TreesUpstate seeks an enthusiastic, relationship-oriented CommunityEngagementCoordinator to connect people and communities with the benefits of trees.

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, this position manages volunteers, community outreach, and education programs while helping TreesUpstate identify and develop new tree-planting locations. The Community Engagement Coordinator leads the Adopt-a-Tree, Tree Captain, and Tree Keepers programs; coordinates volunteers for planting events, neighborhood canvassing, tree giveaways, and the Annual Turkey Day Run; and builds relationships with residents, schools, community organizations, government agencies, and other partners.

The ideal candidate is an outgoing problem-solver who enjoys meeting people, building relationships, working in the community, and turning conversations into action. This person will serve as a visible representative of TreesUpstate and a passionate advocate for environmental justice and tree equity.

Work Schedule & Location

This is a hybrid position with a significant field-based component . While the TreesUpstate team works remotely, this position is frequently out in the community and is not a traditional work-from-home role.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will regularly travel to volunteer sites, schools, government offices, neighborhoods, community centers, planting sites, outreach events, and other community locations throughout TreesUpstate's five-county service area. The position requires someone who lives within the five-county service area and can reliably travel throughout the region. This position is not suited for someone living outside the service area who would need to work primarily remotely.

The primary work location may be based in Greenville, Spartanburg, and/or Anderson, South Carolina , depending on the candidate's location and the organization's needs.

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week , with some evening and weekend work required. From October through April, the position will mostly be Tuesday through Saturday, 40 hours per week. Schedule flexibility is expected, particularly around community meetings, volunteer events, school programs, and tree plantings.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead community outreach and relationship-building efforts in priority areas, including underserved neighborhoods, schools, community centers, local nonprofits, and other community settings. TreesUpstate aims to plant 30% of its trees in low-to-moderate-income areas.
• Represent TreesUpstate at community meetings, outreach events, volunteer days, school programs, planting events, and other public-facing activities.
• Build relationships with residents, community leaders, schools, government agencies, nonprofits, and other partners to identify opportunities for tree planting and community engagement.
• Work with the forestry team and community partners to plan and execute volunteer staffing for tree planting projects and giveaways.
• Find and develop planting opportunities for 30+ TreesUpstate planting events annually.
• Recruit, coordinate, train, communicate with, and engage volunteers.
• Lead volunteer canvassing and outreach efforts in designated neighborhoods.
• Steward volunteers throughout their experience with TreesUpstate, helping ensure they are prepared, engaged, and excited to participate.
• Work with the marketing lead to capture photos, stories, and other content from volunteer and community activities.
• Update volunteer calendars, post events and guest lists, and ensure required liability waivers are completed.
• Develop and coordinate ongoing tree education programming through the Tree Keepers program, working with the TreesUpstate forestry team and specialized volunteers.
• Manage and grow the Tree Captains program. Tree Captains serve as neighborhood champions for tree planting, conduct neighborhood canvassing, and provide educational programming for schools and clubs.
• Use TreesUpstate's CRM, Neon One, and Tree-Plotter to manage volunteering, site acquisition, volunteer programs, and Adopt-a-Tree activities.
• Track metrics and provide timely impact data for assigned grants, including Arbor Day Foundation and Duke Energy Foundation grants.
• Perform other duties related to community engagement, volunteer coordination, education, and TreesUpstate programming as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, education, social sciences, nonprofit management, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• At least two years of experience in community engagement, outreach, public programming, volunteer coordination, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a hybrid/remote environment while remaining highly engaged with community members and partners in the field.
• Demonstrated understanding of equity and inclusion in environmental or community-based work.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, and Forms.
• Ability to perform manual labor outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold weather.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform repetitive tasks such as bending and stooping.
• Willingness and ability to work around common environmental risks, including insects, pollen, and poison ivy.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout TreesUpstate's five-county service area.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Knowledge of southeastern U.S. tree species and/or urban forestry best practices.
• Familiarity with tree care standards and safety practices.
• Experience working with volunteers, community organizations, schools, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience planning or coordinating community events or public programs.

TreesUpstate offers a benefits package that includes:

• Employer contribution toward health insurance premiums
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Mileage reimbursement for eligible work-related travel
• Phone stipend

TreesUpstate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status. We firmly believe merit is a critical factor in our decision-making. We are committed to ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to succeed based on their skills, qualifications, and contributions. We recognize that merit goes hand in hand with creating an environment where individuals from all backgrounds are supported and given equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement.