Dir, Pacific Northwest Urban Forestry

American Forests• US,

3d•$90,000 - $95,000•Remote

About The Position

American Forests is seeking a Director, Pacific Northwest Urban Forestry to join their Field Delivery team within the Urban Forestry department. This role is crucial for advancing tree equity across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with a specific focus on delivering resources, technical assistance, and partnerships to disadvantaged and historically under-resourced communities. The Director will lead the regional strategy, build and maintain relationships with various stakeholders including municipalities, state agencies, and community organizations, and provide hands-on technical assistance for urban tree management. Success requires addressing systemic barriers in urban forestry, demonstrating strong leadership, established relationships in the Pacific Northwest, a command of policy and planning, and the ability to mobilize diverse stakeholders to create resilient, well-funded, and equitable urban forest systems.

Requirements

5-7 years of professional urban forestry experience in the Pacific Northwest, with established relationships with municipal and state agencies, state urban and community forestry councils, and regional coordinators, USFS regional foresters, community-based organizations, and funders.
ISA Certified Arborist and/or Certified Urban Forest Professional preferred, with a degree in urban forestry, urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a related field, and strong knowledge of urban forest planning, canopy assessment, and strategies for equitable community-based urban forestry. Candidates may also bring expertise in planning, policy, or community engagement, reflecting the broad skillset needed for urban forestry leadership.
Advanced knowledge of American Forests’ tree equity tools and resources, with a preference for candidates who can translate technical knowledge for diverse audiences.
Experience working with diverse stakeholders and informing and leading partnerships, particularly in the context of local or statewide cross-sector coalitions.
Experience growing and managing complex projects in a remote environment, including developing and driving forward KPIs.
Demonstrated ability to proactively pursue revenue generation opportunities to scale impact towards advancing tree equity at various scales.
Ability to navigate municipal systems and priorities, including understanding city-wide tree management practices, budget structures, and administrative processes, while fostering equitable planning, community engagement, and partnerships with local organizations and city champions.
Experience either directly managing or being accountable for diverse and complex budgets and grants, including both private and public funding; strong acumen in research and grant writing; ease of working with Marketing and Communications and Philanthropy.
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to confidently and persuasively sustain productive partnerships.
Quick learner with exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and take initiative to develop systems that enhance team efficiency.
Demonstrated commitment to American Forests values, which include advancing the interests of all people, embracing all perspectives, prioritizing work not by popularity but by what is needed most, and empowering people to take action, and a commitment to social and environmental justice.

Nice To Haves

ISA Certified Arborist and/or Certified Urban Forest Professional
degree in urban forestry, urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a related field
strong knowledge of urban forest planning, canopy assessment, and strategies for equitable community-based urban forestry
expertise in planning, policy, or community engagement

Responsibilities

Build and maintain city, state, and regional partnerships to advance tree equity across the Pacific Northwest.
Support municipalities and partners in adopting American Forests' tools and resources through outreach, learning opportunities, and hands-on technical assistance with priority focus on Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative participants and American Forests’ Catalyst Fund grantees in the region.
Identify and pursue public and private funding opportunities to advance regional tree equity strategies.
Maintain current awareness of urban forestry issues, cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national leaders, and direct resources strategically within the region.
Serve as American Forests' regional expert on urban forestry, tree species, community dynamics, and related topics.
Develop & Implement Regional Strategy: Develop and execute a regional strategy with measurable annual goals to support municipalities in committing to and advancing tree equity. This includes building and sustaining strategic partnerships, delivering learning opportunities and technical assistance, and launching partner coalitions.
Foster Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate new and steward existing relationships with urban forestry practitioners; state urban and community forestry coordinators; state environmental and natural resources agencies; state urban forestry councils; and regional USFS urban and community forestry program managers. Attend and present at key convenings to support municipal networks in adopting tree equity tools and identifying new funding opportunities.
Conduct Outreach & Learning: Co-lead national educational strategies while leading regional and local efforts that result in cities committing to and advancing tree equity. This includes developing and delivering presentations and training at conferences and events, and maintaining a recurring engagement portfolio across a defined set of cities.
Provide Technical Assistance: Manage relationships and lead American Forests' projects and initiatives across the region, with initial priority on Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative municipalities. Develop partnerships, scope opportunities, and identify funding to deliver direct, hands-on support to cities using American Forests' tools and resources. Provide ongoing technical assistance to American Forests’ Catalyst Fund subaward recipients in the region and support American Forests' events and corporate tree plantings as needed.
Co-lead the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative: Support coalition coordination, including meetings, workgroups, and in-person events; conduct outreach to engage new cities; and provide thought leadership to ensure partners have the tools and resources to advance tree equity. Collaborate with partners on local and national fundraising strategies to sustain coalition goals.
National Program Support: Where opportunities arise, support efforts to establish partnerships and programs in new cities and geographies outside the PNW region.
Regional Collaboration: Collaborate regularly with fellow American Forests staff to streamline processes, share knowledge, and deliver coordinated support across the U.S.
Marketing & Communications: Serve as a key resource for internal and external communications related to American Forests' urban forestry impact in the region, including media interviews and other requests as the regional expert.
Budgeting: Support American Forests’ Finance & Operations team in developing and managing budgets for grant proposals, contracts, and subawards to secure and manage revenue in support of the regional strategy.
Fundraising: Collaborate with Philanthropy, the Senior Director, and Finance & Operations to submit proposals, support donor communications, and generate reports and invoices to advance Field Delivery fundraising in the region.
Operations: Manage and report regional project information via Airtable and Microsoft Office tools, including project budgets and narratives. Provide additional support across the team as needed.