Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager 

The Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) is seeking an experienced forestry professional to serve as NDC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager. The primary responsibility is managing NDC’s work within the Prince George’s County Right Tree, Right Place (RTRP) Program.  Additional responsibilities include managing individual urban forestry grants in partnership with municipalities, nonprofits, or community groups and leading NDC’s forestry team. 

 

Job location is based at NDC’s Hyattsville, MD office. 

Job posting closes on October 8, 2023, with desired start date in December 2023.

Apply here.

What You’ll Do

The Program Manager will manage the Urban and Community Forestry program at NDC, including oversight of the ongoing RTRP Program, in partnership with Prince George’s County DPW&T, and development of urban forestry contractual work with other partner organizations. 

The main job function is to oversee the coordination and administration of all aspects of the RTRP Program, including planning, organizing, and coordinating program activities. The Program Manager is responsible for managing and working with the Forestry team who locate eligible communities, schedule and present information at community meetings, answer questions/addressing concerns from the community, identify high-risk trees for removal or pruning, select tree replacements and develop designs, update and maintain meticulous records, and assist the field inspector in liaising between community, county agency, and contractors. Additional work for DPW&T could include research for special topics reports and assistance for non-RTRP projects. The position requires a balance of interpersonal skills, technical proficiency, and physical endurance.

The Program Manager will also support the development and management of grant-based and contractual work with regional communities, organizations, municipalities, and agencies seeking forestry focused technical assistance to help grow community forestry as an NDC program. The focus of this program is street tree design and management recommendations, private property site design, and tree care demonstrations. As NDC is a highly collaborative organization, the Program Manager will occasionally assist on multiple other programs and projects as needed. 

Responsibilities Include

  • Plan and execute the delivery of the RTRP program and its activities, including data collection, field activities, monthly and annual reporting, and correspondence
  • Work closely with Prince George’s County DPW&T staff and contractors to plan for and document program activities such as tree assessments, removals, planting, and maintenance outcomes
  • Direct the work of NDC Forestry Coordinators and Technicians, who will provide support for these responsibilities
  • Communicate program goals to participating neighborhood groups by means of informational and educational materials, neighborhood presentations, and face-to-face interaction
  • Maintain meticulous database of program activities and community contacts
  • Respond to individual residents’ questions and concerns via phone, email, and in person
  • Support forestry work outside of the RTRP program, with tasks such as street tree design, private property tree siting, urban forestry management recommendations, arboriculture trainings, and tree planting demonstrations
  • Identify, apply for, and manage awarded urban forestry grants through Chesapeake Bay Trust, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and other identified opportunities
  • Participate in the identification of new work and areas of business expansion 
  • Develop a professional network to support NDC’s role in the field and develop the program business pipeline 
  • Assist with other program areas in Prince George’s County office as needed
  • Share the work of NDC and our partners in public forums including conferences, in the the media, and on social media in coordination with the organization’s marketing team
  • Assist with and participate in occasional organizational fundraising or specials events
  • Actively participate in building organizational and team culture aligned with NDC values

Experience Needed

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture or similar field (may substitute relevant experience)
  • 2-4 years managing urban forestry projects or programs for a non-profit, municipality, government agency or similar 
  • ISA-certified arborist 

Required Skills and Attributes

  • Advanced botanical knowledge and understanding of tree identification methodology
  • Familiarity with urban forestry and green infrastructure best practices
  • Technical computer skills, including expertise with MS Office and Google Suite 
  • Advanced experience with ESRI ArcGIS, including database management, analytical processes, and survey creation
  • Experience with ESRI ArcGIS associated applications is highly desirable
  • Strong oral presentation and speaking skills 
  • Meticulous record keeping and organizational skills
  • Bilingual (Spanish) conversational ability is highly desirable
  • Strong personal and professional commitment to environmental and social justice
  • Highly detail oriented and ability to maintain meticulous records
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and an appreciation of others’ perspectives
  • Current driving license and clean driving record

Submission Materials

  • Resume with three professional references
  • Cover letter: Please outline your qualifications and experience for this position and also share a brief statement of how your work or experiences relate to NDC’s mission and values and your experience with environmental and social justice issues.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

All NDC programs require staff to work occasional evening and weekend hours; this position will require regular evening hours. As this is a small nonprofit work environment, tasks are varied. A flexible mindset and willingness to ‘pitch in’ are highly valued. The Neighborhood Design Center is a team-oriented, creative work environment. 

This position requires frequent field work, involving extensive walking to mark planting sites and record data. Fieldwork occurs 12 months/year in most weather, and may include lifting up to 15 lbs. 

NDC provides a vehicle for staff use, which is primarily but not solely for the RTRP program use. If the NDC vehicle is temporarily not available, the employee is expected to utilize their own transportation. Personal vehicle travel for program services is compensated at the standard federal business mileage rate.

Closing Date

Applications due by 11:59 pm on October 8, desired start date in December 2023.

Compensation

$70,000 – $80,000 annual salary dependent on experience. Full-time with benefits including medical, vision, dental, flexible PTO, 4013B, and professional development funds

About Us

NDC is a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment with landscape architects, urban planners, architects, urban foresters, and social designers, all committed to social justice. NDC provides access to design services in underserved communities in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, MD. In collaboration with neighborhood groups, local government agencies and fellow nonprofits, we support locally driven initiatives for neighborhoods pursuing improved quality of life within their built environments.

At NDC, we believe

  • An inclusive community driven process plays a determining role in the quality of design.
  • Healthy places are built with consideration for social justice, environmental sustainability, and comprehension of the true character of a place and its people.
  • Everyone should have access to design excellence.
  • Unlikely alliances between local experts, design experts, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations are a key to neighborhood success.
  • Well-designed places enhance healthy cultural and democratic life in our neighborhoods.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NDC is an equal opportunity employer. Black people, indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, protected classes and any marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply. We believe that having a board, staff, and membership with diverse identities and backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates a creative and vibrant environment where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive. To that end, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture where all employees are equally included, valued, and supported.