Regional Manager (San Fernando Valley)

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit organization that mobilizes individuals, families, communities, philanthropists, and public agencies to work together to create green, resilient communities by providing education on the benefits of planting trees, capturing rainwater, greening schools, and providing fun environmental educational activities. TreePeople unites with communities to grow a greener, shadier and more water-secure region at homes, neighborhoods, schools and in the local mountains.

The Regional Manager will oversee implementation of multiple projects to significantly expand tree canopy across the San Fernando Valley). The projects will partner with cities, schools, and community volunteers to plant and care for thousands of street trees and will also distribute thousands of shade and fruit  trees to community members to plant at their homes across the San Fernando Valley. The Regional Manager will oversee the development and city approval of planting plans, sourcing of tree stock, organization and execution of volunteer tree planting, care and distribution events, and ongoing staff tree care. The position will lead the community forestry team to engage and inspire community members regarding the important benefits of tree canopy expansion, growing public support for the project and a base of community volunteers. The position must also ensure accurate tracking and reporting of key metrics, including trees planted, distributed, and cared for.

The Regional Manager will lead a growing team of community forestry positions and will also be supported by community organizers. In addition to tree canopy expansion in the San Fernando Valley, the Regional Manager will play a vital role in growing TreePeople’s impact in the region through continued urban and mountain forestry projects, equitable access to nature, and urban greening.

Essential Responsilibilites 

• Develop, implement, and evaluate internal systems to maintain efficient data collection and project management for all San Fernando Valley forestry projects. 
• Manage, supervise, and evaluate San Fernando Valley team employees to ensure compliance of Employee Handbook, contract deliverables, job responsibilities and other duties assigned.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and expand programs to ensure a healthy, functioning urban forest and increase tree canopy coverage in the region by organizing and engaging communities in fun and meaningful tree plantings, tree care, residential tree distributions and community greening projects. 
• Train and supervise TreePeople’s San Fernando Valley urban forestry team, and lead in their hiring process. Manage a growing team of Community Forestry staff and Community Organizers.
• Provide leadership by mentoring and supporting the Community Forestry team members with all tasks.
• Ensure all team members receive annual reviews and corrective work plans as necessary. 
• Drive cultural inclusiveness by partnering with external community organizations, local schools, elected officials, and other community members to identify practical strategies to improve access to green spaces in urban communities of high need. 
• Ensure development and implementation of project work plans, including event scheduling, dig alert, tree sourcing and inspections. 
• Ensure that the team manages and maintains work vehicle, supply, and equipment inventories. 
• Ensure that contract and funder reporting requirements, including documentation and presentation of project deliverables, including photos and sign-in sheets, preparation of narrative summaries, and greenhouse gas calculations. 
• Participate and represent TreePeople at meetings, fundraising, marketing,   membership and volunteer events. 
• Assist with TreePeople’s policy and research and public education initiatives, including but not limited to climate and water resilience, urban heat island mitigation, urban cooling, urban forestry management plans, and equity.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directs, plans, and assigns necessary duties to assigned team members.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive. 
• Assess, develop, and implement skill and professional development training needs of the team.
• Oversees the recruiting, onboarding, and discipline of employees in coordination with the Director of Human Resource and in accordance with TreePeople’s policies.
• Manage day-to-day regional operations, including oversight of employees, duties, providing direction as needed and ensuring timely and accurate approval and submission of employee timesheets and reimbursement requests

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in Forestry, Ecological Restoration, Natural Sciences, Conservation Biology, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 5 years of experience with staff supervision, project management and community engagement
• Strong foundation of urban forestry principles and best practices, including experience planting and caring for street trees.
• ISA Certified Arborist designation or ability to attain within 3 months after being hired.
• Highly organized, strong work-ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick-learner.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: engaging, listening, negotiating, public speaking and writing.
• Strong leadership, team-building and problem-solving skills.
• 5 years of experience with staff supervision, project management and community engagement.
• Familiarity with local climate and water resilience and environmental issues impacting diverse communities throughout the San Fernando Valley.
• Proficient computer skills, (Google workplace, ASANA, Slack, Salesforce).
• Spanish fluency is preferred.
• ArcGIS familiarity preferred.

Physical Job Requirements

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand-to-eye coordination.
• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools including but not limited to shovels, breaker bars, rakes, brooms, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, blowers, augers.
• Must be able to carry and walk with 30 pounds for at least 50 feet.
• Must be able to load and unload 15-gallon trees from a stakebed truck.
• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to extreme weather while completing work assignments, i.e., rain, heat, sun, cold.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.