Summary:
The Youth Programs Forester leads and executes school ground tree plantings in Washington, DC and surrounding jurisdictions. They will also assist with environmental education lessons both in formal settings and after school settings, summer youth programs, and related tasks. The incumbent serves as a member of the Education Team, engaging both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring educational outcomes that promote Casey Trees’ mission of restoring, enhancing, and protecting the tree canopy of the nation’s capital and the surrounding jurisdictions.
Essential Functions:
The following functions are representative of the Youth Programs Forester including, but not limited to:
- Manages the coordination and implementation of school tree plantings with a focus on K-12 youth. Successful implementation includes pre and post site visits, coordination with relevant stakeholders, and ability to collaborate with various audiences to promote large canopy trees and work within Casey Trees guidelines and infrastructure for reporting to multiple funders.
- Design and select species utilizing tree inventory and “Right Tree, Right Place” rules.
- Liaise with Tree Operations to assist in the coordination of school plantings and other tree planting expansion efforts in surrounding jurisdictions.
- Facilitates the programming for school tree planting within DC and surrounding jurisdictions.
- Assists in coordination of tree care events with schools where trees were planted.
- Assists the Youth team in other youth programming both in classroom and outdoor inquiry-based learning activities.
- Provides instruction both in formal classroom settings as well as during after hour engagements and school year breaks.
- Maintains sound relationships with partners including but not limited to D.C. and surrounding jurisdictions K-12 schools.
- Maintains data records on programs and events to strengthen future programming
- Assists with reporting and expanding youth programming
- Helps support adult and family programming
- Other duties as assigned
- Connects people to trees
Supervisory Responsibilities
The incumbent has no direct reports.
Working Conditions
Work is performed both indoors (office, classrooms, rec centers) and outside year-round in the heat, cold and inclement weather.
The incumbent in this position typically uses the following equipment:
- Computers, printers, copiers, smartphones, tablets, walkie-talkies, telephones
- Automobiles, trucks, vans
- Tree planting equipment such as: shovels, pickaxe, knife, stake driver, buckets, wire cutters, containerized trees, hand pruners, etc.
Physical Demands:
- The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those an incumbent encounter while preforming the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The incumbent is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The incumbent is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The incumbent will assist in digging holes and with lifting and planting trees. In the office environment, this position would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, 40 hours a week. The incumbent must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed.
Travel
Travel is local, although some out of the area travel and overnights may be expected.
Compensation and Benefits
The starting salary is $50,000- $59,000 per year. Medical, dental, and vision insurance are 100% covered by Casey Trees for employees. Casey Trees also offers a competitive paid time off program, retirement match, and other benefits.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, environmental studies, science, education or related field
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, willingness to sign CT’s driving policy
- Ability to obtain clearance for working in DC Public and Charter school systems
- Fully vaccinated against Covid-19 including initial one or two dose course and booster shot
- Willing to receive and maintain CPR and first aid certification
- Professionalism and flexibility when communicating with a wide range of stakeholders
- Strong project management skills and ability to execute multiple ongoing projects
- Excellent time management and punctuality
- Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Arborist
- Two or more years of experience in youth environmental education
- Two or more years of experience in nonprofit sector