Citizen Forester Volunteer Coordinator

Citizen Forester Volunteer Coordinator - Job Announcement

Position Summary:

This position oversees all aspects of the Citizen Forester volunteer recruitment, hybrid(online/in-person) and field training, and operation implementation. The Coordinator will work closely and under the direction of STP’s Executive Director to administer, guide, and expand the Citizen Forester Volunteer Program. This position will also support STP’s efforts to create partnerships and find and develop sponsors to enhance and expand the program. 

About Smart Trees Pacific:

Smart Trees Pacific (STP) is a non-profit urban forestry organization with 40 years of collective experience serving Hawaiʻi & the Pacific Region to develop sustainable, healthy community forests.  STP works closely with the US Forest Service and the Hawaiʻi State Division of Forestry and Wildlife to deliver the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program. 

About the Citizen Forester Program:   

Created to address the objectives of the State Forest Action Plan, the Citizen Forester Program is a citizen science volunteer-based urban tree inventory initiative supported by the US Forest Service and Kaulunani with management support from STP. This collaborative project educates, certifies, and supports community members to become urban forestry leaders in their communities. The Citizen Forester Program began in 2016, trained more than 200 volunteers, and mapped over 31,000 public trees on Oʻahu and Kauai. 

Compensation:

$25-30/hour - with experience, Oahu-based contract position with flexible hours (~ 20-30 hours/week). Much of the work will be done remotely, and the candidate must work independently and collaboratively. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.   

Primary Responsibilities:

• Administer the implementation and development of the Citizen Forester volunteers to address the objectives determined by the advisory committee and the grant deliverables.

• Provide volunteer operational oversight and coordination of programmatic procedures.

• Coordinate training and create relevant programmatic materials.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with State and County government agencies, non-governmental organizations, media houses, and community partners that support and grow the program.

• Help expand the CF volunteers into new communities on Oʻahu and neighboring islands.

• Manage tree inventory data for integrity and ease of application.

• Supervise team leader volunteers and regularly interface with the public.

• Seek opportunities to develop outreach, provide professional presentations at local venues, solicit sponsors and supporters, and recruit volunteers.

• Occasional inter-island travel is required. 

Optimum Qualifications:   

• A four-year degree in an environmentally-related field (i.e., natural resource management or urban planning, education, or equivalent) is highly desirable.

• At least one year of minimum relevant work experience in environmental management, environmental science, or a related field of study.

• One to two years of experience working with and managing volunteers. 

• Experience working with a non-profit entity is highly desirable.

• Experience working with various community groups and stakeholders and providing customer interface.

• Proficient in verbal communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.

• Access to reliable transportation, as in-the-field work is required.

• Able to travel interisland.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with a tree inventory system and process

• Good presentation skills 

• Experience and knowledge of trees are a plus 

• Familiarity with the benefits and issues of growing, planting, and maintaining trees in Hawaiʻi with various landownerships.   

• Familiarity with environmental and social issues facing local communities.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks independently and work as a team.

• Professional, highly organized, and committed to producing quality results

• Proficient user-level skills with Microsoft Office and Google Business suite

• Self-starter who can proactively and independently solve problems.

To apply to this position, please submit your resume and cover letter via email to Wai Lee, Executive Director, at wlee@smarttreespacific.org.

Smart Trees Pacific is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other status protected by law., This position is funded by the Region V of the US Forest Service, an equal opportunity employer.