Chicago Region Trees Initiative Tree Ambassador Specialist (Term-Limit)

Position Summary:

Lead and implement the Tree Ambassador Program (TAP), providing education, outreach, and activities to private landowners, community organizations, and partners to improve the health of the urban forest and quality of life in the Chicago region. Maintain and continue to build the priority partnership with the City of Chicago through the TAP. Work closely with Chicago region partners to cultivate and manage strong, ongoing relationships with existing and potential community and municipal partners. Provide direct stewardship with a primary focus to help plan and execute tree plantings as well as improve community advocacy, skills, and resources for urban forestry. Represent the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to partners and constituents to foster and facilitate improved health and sustainability of the urban and community forest and advance the mission of The Morton Arboretum. Funding for this position is expected for 24 months through restricted funding to CRTI, with a potential for extension.

Essential Functions:

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  Lead coordination and expansion of TAP with the City of Chicago, serve as liaison with the City of Chicago. Support existing TAP partners and recruit new partners for the program. Expand the TAP program by piloting additional TAP models outside Chicago.

  
  
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  Plan and implement TAP trainings, advocacy and stewardship workshops as well as outreach, education, activities, and events for current and potential TAP partners to improve community advocacy, urban forestry skills, and advocacy for urban trees.

  
  
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  Identify potential tree planting and outreach opportunities from TAP. Coordinate tree plantings and inventory projects, which include partner communication, site and mapping analysis, data collection, follow up communications and support, and recording through the CRTI Canopy Counts Program; integrate data into the contact database for constituents as time allows.

  
  
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  Assist in implementing the stewardship goals and objectives of the CRTI Master Plan, CRTI Stewardship Program, and TAP. Occasionally work on projects and activities that take place outside of the seven county region.

  
  
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  Respond to and provide information and assistance regarding TAP and related programs and opportunities in urban and community forestry. Compile, organize and present TAP materials and communications in print, verbally, and visually.

  
  
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  Serve in an advisory capacity to CRTI through participation in regional work groups, the City of Chicago Tree Equity group and others related to urban and community forestry to inform TAP coordination and expansion.

  
  
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  Write, implement, and report on grants.

  
  
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  Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values.

  
  
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  Other duties as assigned.

  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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  Serve in a supervisory capacity of one or more employees, providing leadership guidance and communicating the organization's goals. This includes:

  
  
  
  
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    Hiring, training, coaching and developing team members, by providing recognition and feedback, and evaluating performance

    
    
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    Ensuring that team members adhere to the Arboretum's policies and procedures, and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment

    
    
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    Building and maintaining positive working relationships with team members, colleagues, and other stakeholders to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment

    
    
  
  
  
  

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree preferred, in the areas of forestry, horticulture, natural resource management, and community engagement and development. 3+ years experience in research, urban forestry, stewardship, community engagement, research, grant management, or project management required. International Society of Arboriculture certification is preferred. Written and verbal fluency in Spanish required; Mandarin, Polish, Arabic, Hindi or Urdu preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Experience developing and presenting programs and educational materials required. Organizational and program development experience required. Experience working with under-resourced communities and organizations is required. Familiarity with GIS mapping and analysis preferred. Must possess a valid driver's license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Constant Contact, Salesforce, social media, web content development, and Google applications beneficial.

Success Factors:

Effective time-management skills and a positive and flexible approach to the job. Strong collaborative and communication skills especially in terms of cultural awareness. Ability to nimbly manage complex tasks and concurrent projects. Customer service oriented with the ability to relate effectively with persons internal and external to the Arboretum.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

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  Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 40 lbs.), walking over uneven terrain, regular local travel by car, truck, or train.

  
  
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  Work Environment: Office environment and various venues for community events. Occasional outside work is required including digging, pruning, and planting of trees.

  
  
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  Equipment: General office equipment, digital camera, shovel, wire cutters, pruners, Arboretum truck and trailer.

  
  
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  Schedule: Work requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

  
  

The expected hiring range for this exempt position is annualized at $58,000 -$65,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer: Disability/Veteran. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.