Friends of the Urban Forest is hiring the following positions:

Community Engagement Coordinator

Classification and Time: Full-time; Non-exempt
Hourly Rate: $24
Benefits: Full health, dental, and vision per FUF Employee Handbook
Hours: 40 hours per week including some Saturdays
Reports to: Community Engagement Program Manager
Date Posted: March 31, 2022

About Friends of the Urban Forest

Since 1981 Friends of the Urban Forest, a premier San Francisco environmental nonprofit, has brought together communities throughout the city to plant more than 60,000 trees— half of San Francisco’s street tree canopy. Friends of the Urban Forest has a long history of integrating urban greening with civic engagement as a way to increase community health and resilience, combat the effects of the climate crisis, and promote environmental equity and social justice. Friends of the Urban Forest recognizes San Francisco’s many communities and cultures and the diverse ways in which they connect with our urban forest. We connect San Franciscans to nature and to each other.

This position at Friends of the Urban Forest would give you the exciting opportunity to be part of a growing and dynamic professional organization that has been creating a greener San Francisco for the last 40 years.

Position Summary

Friends of the Urban Forest is seeking to hire two Community Engagement Coordinators to serve as liaisons between the organization and neighborhoods in which we plant trees, with the goal of increasing demand for new trees while building green equity and community connections. This includes responding to public inquiries in a friendly and professional manner, maintaining information systems, doing community organizing, and coordinating volunteers. The positions are part of the community engagement team and regularly collaborate with staff, interns, volunteers, neighborhood organizers, and community groups. Both Community Engagement Coordinator positions require excellent verbal and written communication skills; however, one of the positions also requires fluency in both Cantonese and English.

The Community Engagement Coordinator often serves as the first point of contact for community groups and individuals that are curious about Friends of the Urban Forest’s community plantings. It requires a background in community organizing, education, or customer service and involves a combination of office and field work including driving company vehicles. Strong people skills are required along with high-level cultural competency.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All our employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The Community Engagement Coordinator position currently operates in a hybrid model with approximately 40% time working in the office located in the beautiful Presidio of San Francisco and 60% time working remotely or in the field.

Details and Responsibilities

Stakeholder communication — 50%

Educates San Francisco residents about the Friends of the Urban Forest’s community planting model and the benefit of urban greening to inspire participation in our programs
Answers phone calls and email, responding promptly to complex questions and triaging urgent requests
Deescalates charged interactions and leads conversations towards collaborative conflict resolution
Communicates accurate information with welcoming clarity, deep patience, compassion, and a sense of humor
Tracks calls and contacts, using Salesforce and Google sheets

Program outreach and community organizing — 30%

Tables at community events such as street fairs and backpack giveaways
Coordinates events such as the Bayview Job and Wellness Fair, in collaboration with community partners
Distributes outreach materials to homes and businesses in person and via mailings
Tracks tree planting requests and resident data in Salesforce database

Volunteer Coordination — 20%

Schedules and corresponds with volunteers in support of Friends of the Urban Forest’s greening activities, including tree planting, sidewalk gardening, and tree care
Coordinates volunteer trainings and quarterly volunteer appreciation events
Registers volunteers at planting events
Tracks relationships with volunteers in Salesforce database and Google sheets

Requirements

Experience in environmental justice organizing, community outreach, education, or customer service in San Francisco, particularly in the southeast or the northwest neighborhoods
A passion for urban sustainability and commitment to inclusive community engagement
Comfort and skill in communicating and collaborating with diverse audiences
Maintain a valid CA driver’s license with a clean driving record
Provide a Department of Justice record check and fingerprinting per California Penal Code section 11105.3 to be able to work with minors in the Green Teens Program

Other Eligibility Requirements:

Friends of the Urban Forest has a policy that requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. New hires will be asked to provide proof of vaccination on the first day of employment. Friends of the Urban Forest will consider all requests for reasonable accommodations based on applicants who have a (1) medical contraindication to the specific types of COVID-19 vaccines available, or (2) sincerely held religious belief or practice contrary to immunization.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather and working conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Office workspace and cubicle assignments change from time to time and employees should not have any expectation that any assignment is permanent.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and crouching throughout the workday. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

How to Apply

Friends of the Urban Forest is dedicated to anti-racism, gender inclusivity, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of any status or characteristic protected by applicable laws or ordinances.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply, and so are candidates dedicated to anti-racism, gender inclusivity, and inclusion.

If you’re interested and qualified, please email a cover letter and your resume to resume@fuf.net and include your name and the job title you’re applying for in the subject line.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records.

Planting Coordinator

Classification and Time: Full-time; Non-exempt
Hourly Rate: $24
Benefits: Full health, dental, and vision per FUF Employee Handbook
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday, fluctuating
Reports to: Lead Community Planting Manager
Date Posted: March 15, 2022

About Friends of the Urban Forest

Since 1981 Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF), a premier San Francisco environmental nonprofit, has brought together communities throughout the city to plant more than 60,000 trees— half of San Francisco’s street tree canopy. FUF has a long history of integrating urban greening with civic engagement as a way to increase community health and resilience, combat the effects of the climate crisis, and promote environmental equity and social justice. FUF recognizes San Francisco’s many communities and cultures and the diverse ways in which they connect with our urban forest. We connect San Franciscans to nature and to each other.

Position Summary

As an integral member of FUF’s Tree Planting Program Team, the Planting Coordinator executes and assists field duties necessary to plan and implement community tree planting projects. The Tree Planting Program aims to plant over 1,500 trees annually in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco using a community planting model involving tree recipients, neighborhood and corporate volunteers, and FUF staff.

This position requires strong organizational and communication skills. A background in arboriculture or horticulture is preferred. The Planting Coordinator works closely with the Tree Planting Managers, other planting managers, community engagement staff, community members, community groups, government departments or agencies, outside vendors, and FUF volunteers. Saturday and occasional evening availability is required.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Tree Planting Duties and Responsibilities

Survey neighborhoods to create and maintain detailed records in the database regarding survey sites visited, and report information to Tree Planting Managers.
Assist planting managers in determining tree planting site suitability, above and underground utility locations, and tree species for potential planting locations.
Notify Underground Service Alert and approve tree locations and mark sidewalks for cutting as needed, observing USA markings and all city guidelines.
Inspect and select healthy nursery stock as needed by Tree Planting Team.
Update and maintain the FUF database with each planting site and tree planted.
Respond to correspondence related to general tree planting, and support planting managers in remediating unresolved tasks.
Lead work days, ensuring a safe work environment; educate and support FUF Planting Leaders, volunteers, interns, and Workforce Development Staff as needed for planting events; and provide feedback on planting and leadership skills.
Assist Lead Planting Manager in coordinating post-planting surveys including importing, exporting, organizing, and reviewing survey data as it is generated and tracked.
Conduct post-planting surveys on all trees planted, and perform necessary tree care including re-tying, re-staking, and sometimes replanting.
Maintain and track materials and trees in inventory and provide accurate records as needed.
Maintain tree yard including regularly inspecting & repairing irrigation, weeding, sheet mulching, and waste removal as needed.
Assist planting managers in planning and implementing volunteer tree planting events.
Support tree delivery and inventory operations.
Plant trees and install protective hardware surrounding newly established trees.
Support data recording and database management of trees planted.
Mulch, compost, and/or water trees during planting with our Replacement and Community Planting programs.
Participate in and moderate regular seminars and field workshops organized through FUF to learn more about tree care and planting.
Maintain tools, tool inventory, tool shed, and FUF vehicles in clean working order.

Other Duties

Vehicle Fleet and Equipment Inspection

Conduct regular vehicle inspections and equipment maintenance.
Report vehicle issues to Lead Planting Manager and/or Urban Forestry Program Manager to schedule repairs.
Regularly check tools and equipment; remove dangerous and/or damaged equipment from circulation; and report information to relevant program managers for repair or replacement.

General Support and Assistance for All FUF Programs and Staff

Candidates should expect to spend 30% of their time doing administrative work and 70% of their time in the field completing Tree Planting tasks.
Participate in office culture of Environmental Stewardship through cultural activities including but not limited to: limiting waste, properly disposing of waste in sorted bins, and picking up trash in the field and at FUF headquarters.
Support for Green Crew Program and Intern Program as it relates to Tree Planting work days.
Drive FUF trucks respectfully and safely to job sites throughout San Francisco.
Work with other staff on special projects and day-to-day operations.
Assist in the planning of, attend, and participate in FUF special events.

Requirements

Experience with customer service or conflict resolution with members of the public.
Preferred experience in the field of arboriculture or horticulture.
Maintain a valid CA driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Ability to speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese is a plus.
Preferred experience with landscaping or irrigation systems.
Provide a Department of Justice record check and fingerprinting per California Penal Code section 11105.3 to be able to work with minors in the Green Teens Youth Tree Care Program.

Other Eligibility Requirements:

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather and working conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Office workspace and cubicle assignments change from time-to-time and employees should not have any expectation that any assignment is permanent.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and move items over 40 pounds, load tools and planting materials, including trees, into and out of vehicles, and ascend/descend a ladder while performing tree care.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

How to Apply

Friends of the Urban Forest is dedicated to anti-racism, gender inclusivity, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, FUF does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of any status or characteristic protected by applicable laws or ordinances.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply, and so are candidates dedicated to anti-racism, gender inclusivity, and inclusion.

If you’re interested and qualified, please email a cover letter and your resume to resume@fuf.net and include your name and the job title you’re applying for in the subject line.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records.

We announce job opportunities in our e-newsletter and on social media, so please subscribe to our e-news, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Also, consider other ways of getting involved with Friends of the Urban Forest!