Job Description

Director, Tree Operations

Location: Washington, DC
Salary: $120,000-$140,000

Compensation:

Salary range: $120,000-$140,000 annually.  Casey Trees offers excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, flexible spending account, paid holidays, paid time off, and retirement plan 403 (b). 

General Summary/Objective:

The Director of Tree Operations (“Director”) manages and motivates a team of employees dedicated to planting and maintaining thousands of trees across the District, Maryland and Virginia through a variety of programs and funding sources. The incumbent oversees and ensures the smooth and uninterrupted operations of the Department’s functions, activities, and internal and external relationships. As part of Casey Trees’ senior leadership team, the Director also ensures the effective and efficient delivery of all Casey Trees programs organization-wide and serves as a spokesperson for Casey Trees’ mission and in particular – motto – connecting people to trees, through trees, and to Casey Trees. The position reports to, supports, and receives directions from the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and reports through the COO to the Executive Director.

Essential Functions

1. Supervision & Personnel Management:
   • Ensures adherence to organizational policies and procedures, including but not limited to attendance, timeliness, scheduling, conduct, appearance, volunteer and resident interaction, etc.
   • Regularly collaborates with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure continual process improvement including improvements in the area of personnel management and supervision.
   • Conducts bi-annual performance appraisals of subordinate staff and provides continuous feedback to a team of staff. Guides and approves the performance reviews conducted by subordinate staff within the tree operations department.
   • Provides mentorship through coaching and modeling positive behaviors to assist subordinate staff in developing professional skills that may impact their ability to be successful. 
   • Drives training initiatives and identifies and arranges suitable training solutions for subordinate staff. 
   • Ensures a safety culture by eliminating or controlling hazardous conditions resulting from human error, equipment and machine operations that may lead to human injury and/or property damage. 

1. Program Management:
   • Directs the development, design, implementation, and evaluation of Casey Trees' tree planting and maintenance programs supported by a variety of public, private and individual funding sources.  
   • Directs and is responsible for the performance of all divisions and functions within the Tree Operations Department including urban foresters, geospatial information and field staff
   • Develops, executes and enhances workflow systems and structures to ensure smooth and consistent tree planting and care activities according to the latest industry guidelines/standards.
   • Develops and executes field operations strategy and support both directly – and indirectly through staff and other departments as appropriate.
   • Develops an annual budget, work plan, goals and objectives.
   • Ensures adherence to annual budgets and plans; maintains the ability to capitalize on unplanned opportunities should they arise.
   • Closely collaborates with CT’s Nursery production at Casey Tree Farm, ensuring that available inventory is utilized in eligible projects.
   • Engages in continual process review and improvement.

1. Inter-Departmental Functions:
   • Serves as a member of the organization’s senior management team, ensuring the smooth execution of multi-departmental activities and tasks.
   • Keeps the Chief Operating Officer regularly informed on the execution, effectiveness, and development of the Tree Operations Department’s programs, activities and tasks.
   • Actively communicates/collaborates with Casey Trees program directors, the Chief Operating Officer and the Executive Director.
   • Collaborates with program directors on new initiatives to advance programs.

1. External Organizational Functions:
   • Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with non-profits, governmental agencies, elected officials and their staff, businesses, volunteers, residents, etc.
   • Represents Casey Trees at meetings, conferences, symposia, etc.
   • Acts as a liaison with other public, private interests, and organizations to promote tree planting and care activities which enhance citizen efforts to protect, restore or maintain trees, urban forests, and the green infrastructure in urban environments.
   • Engages and responds to community members on tree-related issues.

1. Technical Skills:
   • Maintains general technical knowledge of urban forestry issues necessary to successfully implement tree planting/care programs, initiatives, and strategies.
   • Maintains proficiency with various software packages required for the position.
   • Keeps current on managerial concepts and training.

1. Development:
   • Assists with the cultivation of both public and private funding sources.

Secondary Responsibilities 

• Oversees landscape maintenance of CT’s DC based offices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies 

Supervisory Responsibility 

Directly supervises the Managing Arborist, Field Manager, Horticulturist and the Sr. Program Manager.

Working Conditions

The incumbent works both in a professional setting and outside year-round in the heat, cold and inclement weather and must have suitable clothing.  The incumbent uses the following equipment with physical demands noted below: 

Equipment:

• Computers, smart phones, etc.
• Printer/Copier /Telephone.
• Automobiles, pickup trucks, landscape trailers.
• Various hand tools such as shovels, rakes, saws, ladders, etc.
• Containerized trees of all types.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The incumbent is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk.   The incumbent is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds while using equipment to plant trees. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. In the office environment, this position would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Position Type /Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time exempt position, and “typical” hours of work and days are Monday through Friday 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.  The incumbent must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed.  

Travel

Travel is primarily local to the Greater Washington, DC region including daily and overnight travel to Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, VA. Some out of area travel and overnights may be expected.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in horticulture, forestry, or related discipline, and three years related experience.
• Arborists’ certification from the International Society of Arboriculture, or the ability to obtain within one year of appointment.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and experience and ability to safely drive work vehicles including a pickup truck and trailer.
• Professional demeanor, superior written and oral communications skills, and the ability to interact and work with a variety of audiences, including but not limited to arborists, urban foresters, engineers, planners, landscape architects, students, volunteers, funders, government partners, residents, etc.
• Experience supervising, managing, and inspiring staff of diverse backgrounds and skill levels, from entry-level techs, field supervisors, to experienced arborists.
• Demonstrated success working in a team environment; both internally and externally. 
• Experience formulating and adhering to budgets.
• Must be able to manage multiple activities simultaneously.
• Must be able to establish, track, and meet deadlines, often under pressure
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Ability to learn Salesforce, ArcGIS Desktop, Event Brite and other computer programs.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in horticulture, forestry, or related discipline.
• Experience and ability working with and managing volunteers.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Casey Trees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

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