Chicago Region Trees Initiative Community Coordinator - Full-time, Term-limit

About the role

The Morton Arboretum's Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) is seeking an experienced professional to coordinate and assist with the implementation of the CRTI Community Program. This includes coordinating grant programs, providing education, outreach, and activities for public landowners and managers to improve the health of the urban forest and quality of life in the State of Illinois, with a focus on the seven-county Chicago region.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate outreach, education, and community engagement activities for public landowners and managers to improve community policy, advocacy, and skills, and provide resources related to urban forestry grants and special funding.
• Prioritize and manage special projects related to community activities for CRTI.
• Affiliate with implementing the community goals and objectives of the CRTI Master Plan and CRTI Community Program.
• Affiliate with writing, managing, and implementing subawards and projects under statewide grants, including data collection and reporting, policy document review and advising, financial tracking, related CRTI tracking, and the IDNR Community Accomplishments Reporting System (CARS) contact database, all to ensure successful delivery of grant outcomes.
• Solicit and write grant and funding proposals.
• Review municipal ordinances and public policy for grant compliance and advise communities on how to enhance them.
• Conduct research for projects as needed. Compile, organize, and present data in print and verbal communication.
• Affiliate with the collection and input of community based data and contacts in the CRTI database. Organize and maintain community based CRTI files and records.
• Support the Trees and Green Infrastructure Work Group to ensure CRTI goals and objectives are achieved.
• Represent the Arboretum and CRTI at outreach events.
• Occasionally work on projects and activities that take place outside of the seven county region.
• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, in the areas of forestry, horticulture, or natural resource management.
• 2+ years experience required, with grant management preferred.
• International Society of Arboriculture Arborist certification preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required with prior experience presenting in front of an audience preferred.
• Experience with community and civic organizations and processes preferred.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping and analysis preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report.
• Proficiency with Google applications, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Salesforce, and project management and grant-tracking software (e.g., Smartsheet, Submittable, etc.) is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, in the areas of forestry, horticulture, or natural resource management.
• 2+ years experience required, with grant management preferred.
• International Society of Arboriculture Arborist certification preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required with prior experience presenting in front of an audience preferred.
• Experience with community and civic organizations and processes preferred.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping and analysis preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with generous match
• Generous vacation, floating holidays, and sick days