Community Forestry Associate (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 education activities. TreePeople unites with communities to grow a greener, shadier, and more water-secure region at homes, neighborhoods, schools, and local mountains. 

The Community Forestry program engages, inspires, and supports residents to take environmental action in their communities. We are looking to hire three Community Forestry Associates to support community projects throughout the San Fernando Valley region and surrounding communities.  This position will perform a variety of field-based activities including tree planting, tree maintenance, volunteer coordination, community engagement, outreach, and data collection.  The Associate will work closely with residents, volunteers, community partners, and TreePeople staff to support successful project implementation and department goals.

This is a grant-funded, time-limited position expected to continue through November 3, 2028, contingent upon continued funding and project needs.  The position may conclude earlier upon completion of the project or expiration of funding.   

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Plant and maintain 15-gallon street trees. 

• Assist with community workshops and volunteer-led events, attend site visits, and help manage and maintain TreePeople tool inventory and trucks. 

• Drive a truck to transport trees and water trees on a regular basis. 

• Support the participation of volunteers in urban tree planting and care events.

• Assist with  the organization of community tree planting and tree care events with local volunteers. 

• Maintain accurate tree planting and maintenance data across TreePeople’s inventory systems, including GPS and site maps, to support project implementation, maintenance planning, and funding compliance. 

• Follow and reinforce established safety procedures during field activities, including proper use of personal protective equipment, tools, vehicles, and safe work practices. Promptly identify and communicate unsafe conditions to the appropriate supervisor. 

• Participate and represent TreePeople at meetings and community events as needed. 

• Support the execution of Community Forestry events by preparing materials, assisting with event setup and breakdown, guiding volunteers through established activities, and reinforcing proper tree care and safety practices  

• Support site assessments for potential tree planting locations by documenting site conditions, planting-space characteristics, infrastructure conflicts, and other field observations using approved data collection systems.

• Support volunteer and community outreach efforts, including canvassing, participant recruitment, follow-up communication, and distribution of approved educational and outreach materials. 

• Other duties as assigned

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS 

• Strong leadership, team-building, and problem-solving skills. 

• Highly organized, strong work ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick learner. 

• Interested in local climate resilience and environmental issues impacting communities throughout Southern California. 

• Valid CA Driver’s license and clean driving record desired to perform job-related essential functions. 

• Available to work a flexible schedule that will include weekends. 

• Current residency in the San Fernando Valley area is preferred. 

• Spanish fluency is 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 lift 30 pounds overhead. 
• 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 all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, i.e., rain, heat, sun, cold. 
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.