Urban Tree Canopy Manager

Town of Mount Pleasant•Mount Pleasant, SC

24d•$63,180 - $78,975

About The Position

The Urban Tree Canopy Manager provides Town-wide strategic leadership and coordination to preserve, enhance, and expand the Town’s tree canopy across public and private property. The role leads development and implementation of the Town-wide Tree Planting Plan, supports the Community Forest Master Plan, coordinates tree-related initiatives across departments, and develops partnerships and funding opportunities to advance canopy goals. The manager recommends canopy priorities, performance measures, and resource needs; coordinates public and private planting initiatives; and reports progress to Town leadership and the community. The role works through departmental leadership and respects the operational authority of departments responsible for their assets, projects, and services. The work combines office and field activities, including analysis and reporting, stakeholder coordination, local travel, and site observations. Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment, with periodic outdoor work at parks, neighborhoods, rights-of-way, project sites, and other locations. Occasional activities outside normal business hours may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five years of progressively responsible related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid South Carolina Driver’s License.
ISA Certified Arborist certification.
ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional certification or ability to obtain it within six months of hire.
Knowledge of urban forestry, community forestry, tree canopy planning, tree planting, and canopy preservation principles and practices.
Knowledge of strategic planning, program development, project management, performance measurement, and program evaluation.
Knowledge of environmental planning, sustainability, resilience, green infrastructure, and related municipal initiatives.
Knowledge of grant development and administration, budgeting, sponsorships, partnerships, and program-funding strategies.
Knowledge of community engagement, public education, partnership development, GIS, tree inventory, canopy assessment, data management, and municipal government operations.
Skills in strategic planning, program and project coordination, data analysis, budget development, preparation of grants and reports, communication, partnership development, and collaboration.
Ability to lead Town-wide initiatives without direct supervisory authority; coordinate long-range strategies and cross-departmental implementation; manage multiple programs, priorities, deadlines, budgets, and funding requirements; evaluate progress; identify funding opportunities; exercise sound professional judgment; and communicate effectively with officials, staff, partners, and the public.
Ability to drive to project and meeting locations, conduct site observations, and perform field activities including standing and walking over varied outdoor terrain; occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and handling materials or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience coordinating programs or projects involving multiple departments, agencies, organizations, or community stakeholders.
Experience developing or implementing an urban forestry, community forest, tree canopy, sustainability, or natural resource management plan.
Experience with grant development, grant administration, sponsorship development, or other external funding programs.
Experience with GIS, tree inventory, canopy assessment, asset-management, or related data systems.

Responsibilities

Lead development and coordination of the Town-wide Tree Planting Plan and support implementation and periodic updates of the Community Forest Master Plan.
Recommend Town-wide tree canopy goals, priorities, strategies, and performance measures.
Identify ways to integrate tree preservation, planting, and canopy enhancement into Town plans, infrastructure projects, and resilience efforts.
Use canopy data and the Public Tree Inventory to support planning, analysis, and reporting.
Coordinate Town-wide tree planting and canopy enhancement initiatives on public and private property with responsible departments and property owners.
Work with Public Services and other departments to develop joint recommendations on public planting priorities, resources, and implementation strategies.
Coordinate with the Urban Forestry Project Manager and technical staff to incorporate operational and site-specific considerations into planting recommendations.
Identify opportunities for private-property programs, partnerships, sponsorships, and community participation.
Work with residents and homeowners’ associations to identify and implement tree planting opportunities on non-Town properties.
Develop and recommend program budgets and resource needs in coordination with Town leadership and responsible departments.
Identify and pursue grants, appropriations, sponsorships, partnerships, and other funding opportunities.
Coordinate grant applications, funding proposals, and related program documentation.
Track and evaluate progress toward canopy goals, planting objectives, and program outcomes.
Prepare reports and presentations for Town leadership, Town Council, advisory committees, and the community.
Develop public education and engagement initiatives related to tree preservation, planting, and stewardship.
Build relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, regional partners, and other stakeholders.
Coordinate Town-wide tree canopy initiatives while supporting the operational authority of responsible departments.
Represent the Town at relevant meetings, events, and professional organizations.
Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.