Job Opportunities

TITLE: Green Space Program Specialist

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Non-exempt from overtime. Full-time (40 hours per week).

HOURS: Tues-Sat schedule during planting season (Oct-May); Mon-Fri schedule during summer months (June-Sept). Some evenings as needed. Fairly flexible within that framework, establishes schedule and makes changes known.

SUPERVISED BY: Green Space Program Manager

SUPERVISES: Volunteers, seasonal interns

PAY RATE: $52,000 annual salary; eligible for full benefits package, including 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement match up to 2%, paid time off starting at 3 weeks’ vacation, 11 holidays, and sick time. In addition, the organization will be closed Dec 25-29 which does not count toward vacation.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF TREES

Since 1989, Friends of Trees (FOT) has planted nearly a million trees and native shrubs in 120+ neighborhoods in six counties across two states. We’ve done this through engaging tens of thousands of community members, and while implementing and growing programming that aims to do this work inclusively and equitably. We plant trees, and so much more. Learn more about The Friends of Trees Way, about Our Commitment to Equity, and about Our Community Partnerships.

JOB SUMMARY

The Green Space Program Specialist will foster community stewardship through the successful design and implementation of natural area enhancement projects in urban green spaces in partnership with public agencies, non-profit partners, individual landowners, Friends groups, and community volunteers. Additionally, they will coordinate with schools and community partners to deliver environmental curriculum, facilitate conversations, and foster leadership development through our youth programming. Ideal candidates will be team-oriented, creative, and adaptable; have a background in native plant restoration and working with youth; and be able to juggle multiple priorities and timelines at once. This position will be a hybrid role that works in varied settings, including in the field, in the Portland office, and from home.

DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Cultivates effective, long-standing equitable partnerships to plan and implement enhancement projects
• Initiates and conducts site preparation, planting, and maintenance activities
• Implements educational programming with school aged children (K-12)
• Orients, trains, and guides volunteers to facilitate a positive, supportive, and safe volunteer experience
• Coordinates weekend volunteer tree planting and environmental stewardship events
• Maintains data for all enhancement projects, including planting, maintenance, and survival rates
• Coordinates and staffs outreach events to engage community members, recruit volunteers and share information with public on projects
• Conducts outreach to private property owners for project implementation and education on watershed health
• Loads/unloads and drives vehicles to project sites throughout the Portland metro and Salem region
• Adheres to FOT’S safety protocols, and upholds a safe working environment
• Curates species lists for planting events and procures plants from nurseries in the region
• Secures food donations and other materials to support events
• Performs summer maintenance using power tools and mulching for long hours in various weather conditions
• Participates in cross-program committees and subcommittees to fulfill FOT mission
• Participates in fundraising for Friends of Trees general funds, as needed
• Assists with grant writing, management, and reporting
• Contributes content for TreeMail and FOT social media channels, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Well organized with excellent time management and respectful communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively while also exercising initiative to lead on implementing projects with supportive supervision
• Experience working alongside and/or engaging with a wide diversity of people from different backgrounds
• Familiarity with PNW native plants, restoration techniques, and/or ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest
• Experience creating and/or implementing educational programming and curriculum for grades K-12
• An understanding of equity and how systems of oppression continue to impact low resource communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, and a demonstrated ability to apply a racial equity lens to environmental stewardship and outdoor education programming
• Ability to do physical work including lifting large trees and tools in a repetitive motion for long hours outside in a variety of weather conditions
• First Aid certification or willingness to obtain one
• Must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experienced in implementing restoration projects and/or demonstrated background in natural resources
• Wilderness First Aid Certification
• Familiarity with ArcGIS, Salesforce, or Adobe Illustrator
• Able to speak a language other than English
• Experienced in facilitating meetings and community conversations

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume (limit 2 pages total) to Michelle Yasutake, [email protected] by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 15. References may be requested at a later date. In the cover letter, please address the following elements: 1) why you are interested in this position, 2) personal or professional experience with equity, diversity and inclusion work, 3) any relevant skills and experience not listed in your resume.

Friends of Trees recognizes that not everyone has equal access to the benefits of trees and healthy urban green spaces based on racial and socioeconomic status, and we are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Friend of Trees provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

TITLE: Volunteer & Outreach Specialist
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Non-exempt. Full-time (40 hours per week).
SUPERVISED BY: Volunteer & Outreach Program Manager
SUPERVISES: Interns
PAY RATE: $52,000 annual salary, eligible for full benefits package, including 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement match, paid time off starting at 3 weeks’ vacation, 11 holidays, and sick time. In addition, the organization will be closed Dec 25-29 which does not count toward vacation.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF TREES

Since 1989, Friends of Trees (FOT) has planted nearly a million trees and native shrubs in 120+ neighborhoods in six counties across two states. We’ve done this through engaging tens of thousands of community members, and while implementing and growing programming that aims to do this work inclusively and equitably. We plant trees, and so much more. Learn more about The Friends of Trees Way, about Our Commitment to Equity, and about Our Community Partnerships.

JOB SUMMARY

The Volunteer & Outreach Specialist is responsible for recruiting and retaining the tree-planting and stewardship individuals and groups without whom the advancement of our mission would not be possible.  The Specialist is mostly behind the scenes – working in the office or remotely using email, phone, and other online tools to engage a large number of volunteers; there is limited outdoor field work.

DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recruits, coordinates, and retains a demographically diverse volunteer base to accomplish Friends of Trees’ mission of planting trees and growing healthier communities together.
• Coordinates and attends 4-8 volunteer trainings and 10-15 community outreach events each year. Many of these events take place on weekends and evenings.
• Collaborates closely with program staff to build meaningful volunteer participation in effective volunteer roles.
• Coordinates the following, described below: Volunteer Recruitment & Retention, Community Outreach, and General Tasks.

Volunteer Recruitment & Retention

• Responds to phone calls, emails, and questions from the community within 2-3 business days related to Friends of Trees volunteer events, roles, logistics, and guidelines.
• Utilizes strong written and verbal communication skills to recruit, schedule, and coordinate a large volume of individuals and groups participating in Friends of Trees planting and stewardship events.
• Recruits and coordinates hundreds of non-planting volunteers throughout the year–including office support volunteers, outreach volunteers, and Summer Tree Inspectors.
• Recruits and supervises multiple interns (of all backgrounds and life experiences) throughout the year. Applying cultural competency is important.
• Helps organize and implement 4-8 volunteer trainings for leadership volunteer positions per year.
• Works closely with program staff to ensure adequate volunteer support for trainings and planting events based on the anticipated volunteer need.
• Maintains a high level of respectful communication through all volunteer interactions.
• Assess and update FOT programming with the support of program staff to prioritize the news of people from historically under-resourced communities.
• Collaborates with staff to increase volunteer retention, with a particular focus on retaining volunteers of color.
• Coordinates and implements 3-4 volunteer recognition and appreciation efforts per year (ie, end-of-season celebrations, volunteer socials, etc.).
• Uses Salesforce, WordPress, and other software tools to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot our online volunteer registration systems, webpages, and volunteers’ personal webpages.
• Assists in the timely data entry and maintenance of accurate volunteer data in the Salesforce database used for organizational reporting and program planning.
• Assists with the implementation and enforcement of FOT’s Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities and Anti-Discrimination & Harassment Policies.

Community Outreach

• Schedules, coordinates and attends outreach events to support volunteer recruitment and potential tree purchasers–prioritizes outreach within low-income communities and communities of color.
• Helps maintain calendar of outreach events for entire office.
• Recruits and trains volunteers who assist with outreach events.
• Gives presentations to community groups as part of recruitment efforts.

General Tasks

• Attends expected trainings and workshops, staff meetings, and retreats; assists with the planning of these events when appropriate.
• Participates in efforts to promote diversity and inclusiveness among all facets of the organization.
• Participates in cross-program Committees and working groups to fulfill FOT mission.
• Maintains and strengthens relationships with partners.
• Submits accurate record of time and expenses, timesheet completed weekly.
• Follows organizational guidelines to keep office workspace, tools, lots and work vehicles in good condition.
• Participates in fundraising for Friends of Trees general funds, as needed.
• Contribute regularly to content for TreeMail and FOT social media channels.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with volunteer recruitment, onboarding, recognition, and retention efforts.
• Commitment to community-building and building relationships to achieve organization’s mission.
• Commitment to and experience prioritizing the needs of under-resourced communities with cultural sensitivity (awareness that cultural differences and similarities between people exist without assigning them a value).
• Interested in learning and growing with an organization that prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion, exploring trauma-informed support, and decolonization.
• Strong written communication skills with ability to effectively combine professional, personal, and persuasive styles.
• Enjoys speaking with others both in-person and on the phone, and is comfortable doing so at public events and in large groups.
• Highly detail-oriented and consistent with an ability to keep close track of multiple project timelines.
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to be self-motivated and remain focused in a busy, fast-paced work environment.
• Skilled in collaboration and experienced with a team-based work approach..
• Has the ability to lift 25 lbs (loading and unloading canopy/tables for outreach events).
• Fluent in a wide variety of technology solutions including: Gmail, Microsoft Office, Google Docs/Forms.
• Positive, flexible attitude and good sense of humor.
• Desire to work in a collaborative office environment with the option for remote work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluent or proficient in any language(s) in addition to English
• Experience with volunteer databases, particularly Salesforce.
• Proficiency with graphic, including the use of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, InDesign, or Photoshop.
• Experience with website development or maintenance, particularly WordPress.
• Specific knowledge and experience communicating via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Experience supervising and mentoring others from a wide diversity of backgrounds and experiences.
• Knowledgeable of environmental justice, trees, native plants, or other related field.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume (limit 2 pages total) and cover letter to [email protected] by 12pm Oct 11th. Please reference position title, Volunteer & Outreach Specialist, in the subject line. References may be requested at a later date. In the cover letter, please address the following elements: 1) why you are interested in this position, 2) personal or professional experience with equity, diversity and inclusion work, and 3) any relevant skills and experience not listed in your resume.

Friends of Trees recognizes that not everyone has equal access to the benefits of trees and healthy urban green spaces based on racial and socioeconomic status, and we are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. FOT provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, disability or genetics.