Join our leadership team as an Area Tree Supervisor
Posted September 12, 2018. Removed from public view on October 1, 2018. Our review of the applications is underway.
This posting will remain open until 5:00pm Pacific Time on Friday, September 28, 2018, or until the position is filled.
Hours and Duration: Flexible and seasonal, half-time to full-time: 20-40 hours/week, October 2018 to May 2019 (approx. 30 weeks). Most working hours will be self-determined. Attendance at planting events (typically Saturdays, at least 2 per month) and a monthly Advisory Committee meeting (typically a weekday evening) will be included.
Pay and Benefits: $22/hour; reimbursement of mileage (or transit) and other job-related expenses; no additional benefits. Invoices are normally paid monthly, but more frequent payments may be arranged on request.
Project Background: The nonprofit Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation (OPRF) has been awarded a grant to plant more than 1,000 trees in the Oakland flatlands between January 2016 and June 2019. Money comes from the California Climate Investments program (cap-and-trade law), managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The trees may be planted along sidewalks, medians, parks, schools, libraries, or private property (yards and setbacks) in or near a “disadvantaged community” according to the CalEnviroScreen rating system. The trees are intended to grow in place for at least 40 years, reducing greenhouse gas pollution (carbon dioxide) and providing other benefits to the community. Trees for Oakland (TFO) runs the program on behalf of OPRF, preparing sites and planting these trees. TFO has planted more than 700 trees so far with volunteer crews. Further trees will be planted by volunteers or by paid staff from CiviCorps. TFO has a Coordinator, Project Arborist, Treasurer, and volunteer Advisory Committee.
Job Description:
Area Tree Supervisors are the liaison between Trees for Oakland and the community members who get free trees from the grant. You will be one of two Area Tree Supervisors working on this project.
Tasks include the following:
Skills required and criteria for hiring:
Friendly demeanor, good communication skills (in speaking, in writing, and by electronic methods), attention to detail, self-motivation, and love of trees.
Dependable daily access to the Internet, at home or via mobile device. (TFO conducts most communication via email, uses Dropbox for file storage, and uses Google Sheets for most recordkeeping.)
Knowledge of the following:
A valid California driver's license is required. Having access to your own pickup truck or other vehicle would be useful, to help move trees or other bulky supplies. We also welcome applicants who walk, bike, or take transit. We can lend a manual-transmission pickup truck for job tasks. Vehicle mileage (or transit fares) and related expenses will be reimbursed.
Ability to speak Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and/or Viet would also be favorable, since many residents have a first language other than English. TFO will make Tree Request Forms available in other languages.
Send a brief cover letter/message (statement of interest) and a one-page résumé to TreesForOakland (at) gmail (dot) com with the subject "Application for Area Tree Supervisor".
This posting will remain open until 5:00pm Pacific Time on Friday, September 28, 2018, or until the position is filled.
Hours and Duration: Flexible and seasonal, half-time to full-time: 20-40 hours/week, October 2018 to May 2019 (approx. 30 weeks). Most working hours will be self-determined. Attendance at planting events (typically Saturdays, at least 2 per month) and a monthly Advisory Committee meeting (typically a weekday evening) will be included.
Pay and Benefits: $22/hour; reimbursement of mileage (or transit) and other job-related expenses; no additional benefits. Invoices are normally paid monthly, but more frequent payments may be arranged on request.
Project Background: The nonprofit Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation (OPRF) has been awarded a grant to plant more than 1,000 trees in the Oakland flatlands between January 2016 and June 2019. Money comes from the California Climate Investments program (cap-and-trade law), managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The trees may be planted along sidewalks, medians, parks, schools, libraries, or private property (yards and setbacks) in or near a “disadvantaged community” according to the CalEnviroScreen rating system. The trees are intended to grow in place for at least 40 years, reducing greenhouse gas pollution (carbon dioxide) and providing other benefits to the community. Trees for Oakland (TFO) runs the program on behalf of OPRF, preparing sites and planting these trees. TFO has planted more than 700 trees so far with volunteer crews. Further trees will be planted by volunteers or by paid staff from CiviCorps. TFO has a Coordinator, Project Arborist, Treasurer, and volunteer Advisory Committee.
Job Description:
Area Tree Supervisors are the liaison between Trees for Oakland and the community members who get free trees from the grant. You will be one of two Area Tree Supervisors working on this project.
Tasks include the following:
- Communicate with the people who have requested trees (usually property-owners or neighbors)
- Visit addresses to determine their suitability for new trees
- Mark locations and request Underground Service Alert (USA/811) to indicate buried utilities
- Update the project database with the status of tree requests
- Reach out to the community, possibly including neighborhood organizations, to explain the grant program and how people can request free trees
- Scout out neighborhoods that lack trees, and distribute doorhangers or other promo materials
- Maintain records and submit monthly invoices for hours and expenses
- Report to the Project Coordinator and provide all necessary information
- Forward technical questions about trees to the Project Arborist
- Plant trees with us and learn our preferred planting techniques
- Review our recently planted trees, learn our standards for care/maintenance, and provide occasional care such as applying mulch, watering, or resetting support-stakes
- Attend a monthly meeting of the Advisory Committee
Skills required and criteria for hiring:
Friendly demeanor, good communication skills (in speaking, in writing, and by electronic methods), attention to detail, self-motivation, and love of trees.
Dependable daily access to the Internet, at home or via mobile device. (TFO conducts most communication via email, uses Dropbox for file storage, and uses Google Sheets for most recordkeeping.)
Knowledge of the following:
- Basic office procedures, including computer software such as word processing and spreadsheets (such as Microsoft Word and Excel, and Google Docs/Sheets)
- Principles of forestry, horticulture, or landscape architecture (not required, but preferred).
- Be a good representative for Trees for Oakland when interacting with other nonprofit organizations, City employees, and elected officials
- Exercise tact and diplomacy with the public
- Develop mutually respectful working relationships
- Understand safety policies and procedures related to planting and maintenance, and explain them to others
A valid California driver's license is required. Having access to your own pickup truck or other vehicle would be useful, to help move trees or other bulky supplies. We also welcome applicants who walk, bike, or take transit. We can lend a manual-transmission pickup truck for job tasks. Vehicle mileage (or transit fares) and related expenses will be reimbursed.
Ability to speak Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and/or Viet would also be favorable, since many residents have a first language other than English. TFO will make Tree Request Forms available in other languages.
Send a brief cover letter/message (statement of interest) and a one-page résumé to TreesForOakland (at) gmail (dot) com with the subject "Application for Area Tree Supervisor".
