Community Forestry Associate Manager (Southeast Los Angeles)

TreePeople; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

TreePeople is looking for a Community Forestry Associate Manager in Los Angeles to lead tree planting initiatives aimed at expanding the urban tree canopy.

The role involves supervising a dedicated team, conducting community workshops, and managing partnerships with local organizations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in urban forestry, excellent communication skills, and the ability to inspire community engagement.

This position requires hands-on work with trees and community involvement to enhance environmental resilience.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation of urban forestry principles and best practices.
• Experience with staff supervision and project management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with climate and environmental issues in Southern California.

Responsibilities

• Develop and expand programs to increase tree canopy coverage.
• Recruit and supervise community volunteers for tree planting.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the Community Forestry team.
• Conduct site assessments and develop detailed planting plans.

Skills

Urban forestry principles

Project management

Community organizing

Spanish fluency

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit organization that mobilizes individuals, families, communities, philanthropists, and public agencies to work together to create green, resilient communities by providing education on the benefits of planting trees, capturing rainwater, greening schools, and providing fun environmental activities. TreePeople unites with communities to grow a greener, shadier, and more water‑secure region at homes, neighborhoods, schools, and local mountains.

The Community Forestry Associate Manager will oversee implementation of projects that significantly expand tree canopy in Southeast Los Angeles by planting and caring for public trees.

The Community Forestry Associate Manager will lead development and city approval of planting plans, sourcing of tree stock, organization and execution of staff and volunteer tree planting, care and distribution events, and ongoing staff tree care. The position will help to engage and inspire community members regarding the important benefits of tree canopy expansion, growing public support for the project and a base of community volunteers. The position must also ensure accurate tracking and reporting of key metrics, including trees planted, distributed, and cared for through routine maintenance.

The Community Forestry Associate Manager will supervise a team of urban forestry positions and will also be supported by administrative and communications staff and a community organizer.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, evaluate and expand programs to ensure a healthy, functioning urban forest and increase tree canopy coverage in high‑need areas by organizing and engaging communities in fun and meaningful tree plantings, tree care, residential tree distributions and community greening projects.
• Recruit, train, supervise and support community volunteers on tree plantings, tree care and community greening projects.
• Train and supervise TreePeople’s Southeast LA Community Forestry team, and play a leading role in their hiring process.
• Manage day‑to‑day operations, including oversight of the Community Forestry team, providing direction as needed and ensuring timely and accurate approval and submission of associate timesheets.
• Conduct performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local community‑based organizations, elected officials, public agencies, businesses and other community stakeholders to expand TreePeople’s social and environmental impact.
• Conduct site assessments and develop detailed planting plans that include species and locations.
• Develop and implement project work plans, including event scheduling, dig alert, permitting, tree sourcing and inspection.
• Organize, support and lead community workshops and volunteer‑led events, evaluating future opportunities and attend site visits.
• Manage and maintain vehicle, supply and equipment inventories.
• Gather, monitor and track data on tree plantings for reporting requirements and to ensure successful implementation of tree maintenance plans.
• Support contract and funder reporting requirements, including documentation and presentation of project deliverables, including photos and sign‑in sheets, preparation of narrative summaries, and greenhouse gas calculations.
• Conduct community engagement and draft outreach and educational materials to grow interest in volunteer event opportunities, urban tree canopy expansion and community‑led tree care.
• Participate and represent TreePeople at meetings, fundraising, marketing, membership and volunteer events.
• Assist with TreePeople’s policy and research and public education initiatives, including but not limited to climate and water resilience, urban heat island mitigation, urban cooling, urban forestry management plans, and equity.
• Other duties as assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong foundation of urban forestry principles and best practices, including experience planting and caring for street trees.
• Experience with staff supervision, project management and community organizing.
• Solid computer skills, including email, document and spreadsheet basics.
• Highly‑organized, strong work‑ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick‑learner.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: engaging, listening, negotiating, public speaking and writing.
• Strong leadership, team‑building and problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with local climate and water resilience and environmental issues impacting diverse communities throughout Southern California.
• Direct experience with the community of Southeast Los Angeles preferred.
• Spanish fluency is preferred.
• ISA Certified Arborist designation preferred.
• ArcGIS familiarity preferred.

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand‑to‑eye coordination.
• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools including but not limited to shovels, breaker bars, rakes, brooms, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, blowers, augers.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Must be able to load and unload 15‑gallon trees from a stakebed truck.
• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, i.e., rain, heat, sun, cold.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.