Adjunct Faculty - Skills Training, Urban Forestry & Tree Care

About the role

The Adjunct Instructor for Skills Training – Adjunct Faculty positions are temporary, part-time roles hired on an as-needed basis. The instructor will assist students in achieving their goals through effective instruction and assessment within the context of workforce and non-credit training.

Responsibilities

• Create a learning environment that supports student success and workforce readiness.
• Facilitate training aligned with industry standards such as TCIA, ANSI Z133, ANSI A300, OSHA, and USDA Urban & Community Forestry guidelines.
• Lead safety-focused instruction including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard awareness, and urban risk factors.
• Provide hands-on training in various arboriculture and urban forestry techniques such as chainsaw operation, tree planting, and pruning.
• Teach tree identification, health assessment, and invasive species management.
• Plan and facilitate community engagement and service-learning projects related to tree care and urban forestry.
• Prepare and deliver lesson plans aligned with established curricula.
• Evaluate student performance during hands-on activities, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, progress, and assessments.
• Collaborate with Employer Training Coordinators, community partners, and campus leadership to meet workforce training needs.
• Participate in program wrap-up activities, including assessments and career exploration.

Requirements

• Relevant industry experience in arboriculture, urban forestry, forestry, landscaping, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable industry standards and practices, including TCIA, ANSI Z133, ANSI A300, OSHA, and/or USDA Urban & Community Forestry guidelines.
• Hands-on experience with tree care practices such as chainsaw operation, pruning, tree planting, rigging, or site management.
• Ability to safely lead hands-on, outdoor training in a variety of environmental and weather conditions.
• Knowledge of tree identification, basic tree health, and common invasive species.
• Strong communication and instructional skills with the ability to engage diverse learner populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry credentials such as ISA Certified Arborist, TCIA certifications, or related credentials.
• Experience in both arboriculture operations and/or urban forestry or municipal forestry programs.
• Experience delivering hands-on, workforce, or adult education training.
• Familiarity with GIS tools, mobile inventory platforms, or digital data collection methods.
• Experience with community engagement, volunteer coordination, or public-facing environmental initiatives.
• Prior experience working with municipal, utility, nonprofit, or commercial tree care organizations.

Work Environment

• Part-time position with instruction delivered in classroom and outdoor field settings, including community and jobsite locations.
• Work may occur during day, evening, or weekend hours and requires leading hands-on, physically active training in varying weather conditions.
• Travel within the local service area is required, and adherence to safety protocols and PPE use is expected at all times.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness Access to a comprehensive vision care plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses.
• Employee Assistance Program offering no cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits All employees can contribute pre-tax or post-tax dollars through payroll deduction to build retirement savings.
• Education Benefits Fee remission for employees, spouses, and legal dependents.