Job Description

Position Summary:  

Vailsburg Services Organization (UVSO) seeks a dynamic and community-oriented Tree Canopy Project Coordinator to lead our initiative in enhancing the urban forest of the Vailsburg community. This pivotal role focuses on engaging residents, combating environmental injustice, and improving public health through strategic tree planting and canopy expansion. The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for environmental equity, a skilled community organizer, and an effective project manager who can mobilize residents and trainees to create a greener, healthier, and more resilient Vailsburg .  

Key Responsibilities:  

Community Engagement & Education:  

• Serve as UVSO's primary ambassador for the Tree Canopy Project, engaging Vailsburg residents to educate them on the critical value of trees in reducing urban heat, improving air quality, and promoting community well-being.  

• Conduct both online and in-person outreach to build support, gather essential feedback for the Urban and Community Forestry Master Plan (UCFMP), and ensure community voices guide our work.  

• Represent UVSO at a minimum of four community meetings per year to inform and involve residents in project activities.  

• Ensure our environmental solutions advance broader goals of justice and equity for the Vailsburg community.  

Project Planning & Coordination:  

• Survey and identify viable tree planting sites throughout the Vailsburg area that meet all City of Newark ordinance and tree manual standards.  

• Develop a comprehensive tree planting toolkit and operations manual for the assessment, maintenance, and planting of trees in Vailsburg .  

• Collaborate closely with the City of Newark’s Tree Superintendent to ensure full compliance with all city standards and ordinances.  

• Partner with other Newark tree project coordinators and The Nature Conservancy’s Cities Forestry Project Manager to coordinate resources and share best practices.  

Tree Planting & Management:  

• Plan and lead the campaign to plant a minimum of 75 trees annually within the Vailsburg community.  

• Monitor the health of newly planted trees in Vailsburg through regular visual inspections and promptly alert the Tree Superintendent to any issues.  

Workforce Development & Team Leadership:  

• Aid in the development and lead the implementation of a robust Urban Forestry Workforce Development Training (UFWDT) program in collaboration with university partners.  

• Recruit, train, and directly supervise UFWDT trainee teams in all aspects of tree planting, cultivation, irrigation, and maintenance for the duration of the grant.  

Qualifications:  

• Deep commitment to UVSO’s mission of environmental justice and community empowerment.  

• Proven experience in community organizing, outreach, or project coordination, preferably in an environmental or non-profit setting.  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse community members respectfully and effectively.  

• Self-motivated, highly organized, and capable of managing multiple tasks and deadlines independently.  

• Knowledge of urban forestry, horticulture, or environmental science is a strong plus.  

• Ability to work outdoors and perform light physical tasks related to tree planting events.  

• Deep ties to or knowledge of the Vailsburg area and the Newark community is highly desirable.  

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