Position Overview:

PHS uses horticulture to increase four building blocks of health and well-being: access to fresh food, healthy living environments, deep social connections, and economic opportunities. We are a diverse community of people and organizations who believe in the power of horticulture to make positive social and environmental change. PHS believes that gardening and horticulture belong to everyone.

The Healthy Neighborhoods programming brings these tools to communities across SE PA, including by working with communities to plant and maintain trees and build healthy canopy.

This position will focus on working with individuals and organizations, especially in high-priority neighborhoods, to grow tree canopy so residents can experience the host of health and community benefits that trees provide. The Trees Specialist will organize logistics for tree procurement, planting, and care in the Greater Philadelphia Region, primarily focusing on priority areas. The Specialist will be assigned a geographic area, primarily but not exclusively focused in Philadelphia, where he/she/they will have primary responsibility for coordinating and managing relationships with community partners, current Tree Tenders, and prospective Tree Tenders. Responsibilities include but are not limited to processing tree applications, tracking volunteer information, assisting with pit cut surveys, teaching various audiences about tree care, and planting trees alongside Tree Tenders groups and volunteers. Recruit Tree Tenders in areas experiencing environmental injustice and support new groups as they build their foundation and promote trees in their communities. Keep very detailed and up to date information about groups, leaders, and their corresponding service areas.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct outreach and engagement with residents, civic groups, and nonprofits, with a focus on priority neighborhoods as defined by PHS metrics.
• Onboard new Tree Tenders groups to get started in tree planting and stewardship.
• Develop and present educational and communications materials. Support and facilitate educational programs.
• Strategize ways to help expand programming and/or make resources more accessible for areas in need of environmental justice.
• Create and maintain meticulous records for trees, constituents, applications and permits. Lead training and support users in utilizing PHS data management systems.
• Facilitate systems improvements for tree planting, programming, and communications.
• Support processing, management, and communications for tree applications for neighborhood partners.
• Coordinate tree and planting supply procurement orders with PHS Trees Team and vendors, and coordinate distribution to Tree Tenders groups.
• Support PHS tree monitoring efforts and data management. Work with volunteers to collect data related to the survival rate, growth, stewardship, and health of trees.
• Assist with pit cut surveys around Philadelphia, ensure the data is correct and up to date, communicate any issues or changes to contractors, vendors, and community groups.
• Compile quantitative and narrative reports, including grant reporting.

Qualifications/Specifications :

• Minimum degree required : Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Years of experience : Minimum 1 year of experience in related field
• Licenses/Certifications : ISA Certified Arborist a plus but not required, Tree Tender Certified or willing to obtain after hiring
• Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license and clean, safe driving record
• Knowledges, Skills, Abilities required for success :
  • Experience in facilitation, community organizing and training skills with diverse groups across race, culture, language, class, and urban/rural divides
  • Highly proficient with basic computer software, including Microsoft Office (especially Excel), Google Drive and Google Maps. Knowledge of GIS is a plus.
  • Highly proficient with data entry and management
  • High-level attention to detail
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills across constituencies, including and not limited to team members, program participants, and community residents
  • Passion for community-led greening
  • Experience working with volunteers and organizing community service projects
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects while adhering to deadlines
  • Knowledge of arboriculture, particularly urban and community forestry, preferred
  • Familiarity with the Philadelphia and surrounding counties and comfort traveling throughout the city and region a plus
  • Knowledge of environmental justice and equity issues
  • Spanish language a plus.
• Physical Demands : sit/stand for long hours, lift and carry up to 50 pounds, use tree planting and care tools, work outside under various weather conditions
• Standard Hours (including travel, evening, and weekend hours) : average 40 hours/week, some weekends and weeknights required
• Flower Show requirements: standard support staff; Expected to work a total of (9) 8-hour workdays (=72 hours) with 75% (=54 hours) worked at the Show including 3 weekend days