Canopy is a growing urban and community forestry nonprofit with a track record of delivering high
quality, innovative programs that bring nature into neighborhoods throughout the Midpeninsula. Canopy
staff and volunteers strive toward excellence, equity, collaboration, and gratitude in the work we do, and
welcome candidates that share these values. We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our team and
grow with us as we work towards our vision: a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step
outside to move, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Community Forestry Manager, the Santa Clara County Community Forester will
be responsible for leading Canopy’s tree programs for the City of Palo Alto and Mountain View, primarily
by organizing tree planting and stewardship activities with key partners, tracking the work, and delivering
on our contracts and grants in those service areas. The ideal candidate will be able to set and meet
ambitious program goals, effectively balance office work and fieldwork, and collaborate on shared goals
with teammates. This position is an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of urban
forestry, to work collaboratively with others, and to affect positive change in our communities and the
environment. Work week Tuesday through Saturday, with occasional early mornings and evenings.
Responsibilities
The Santa Clara County Community Forester will spend approximately:
- 75-80% tree plantings in Palo Alto and Mountain View (For Allocations: A. Tree Plantings)
- 15-20% tree care in Palo Alto and Mountain View (For Allocations: B. Tree Care)
- 5% misc program support (For Allocation: G. Shared Programs)
Duties and Responsibilities
- Primarily responsible for managing Canopy’s tree planting programs in Palo Alto and Mountain
View, including:
- Engaging individual residents and getting them excited about planting trees at their
homes and in their community
- Work with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager to recruit community
groups and individuals to become tree champions and work with them to organize tree
planting events, occasionally with a post-planting potluck/celebration
- Work with the Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager to coordinate volunteers
and support staff and logistics related to hosting tree plantings and engaging volunteers
and high school interns in plantings
- Collaborating with communications and outreach staff to produce public information for
the program, and creatively seek out partnerships throughout Canopy service areas
- Coordinate tree care activities in Palo Alto and Mountain View with other tree program staff
- Organize and coordinate Palo Alto’s annual summer young tree inventory, the Young Tree Care
Survey
- Track work in Salesforce, Tree Plotter, and other means as needed, managing the data with the
Tree Program Manager
- Together with the Community Forestry Manager, report program outcomes to communications
and fundraising staff, and clients and funders. This includes coordinating and drafting city reports
and other grants as needed
- Support colleagues with some planting and other events in other cities (Eg. East Palo Alto, Menlo
Park, Redwood City) as needed
- Assist with special events, education, and tablings/outreach, especially that relates to work in
Palo Alto and Mountain View
- Assist with volunteer training, appreciation, and retention efforts
- Help with special projects or tasks depending on skills and interests
Schedule
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week. The work week is Tuesday through Saturday, with
occasional early mornings and evenings. This position will require local fieldwork and in-office work days
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise, the work environment is hybrid and offers much flexibility.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Lived experience or experience working with untapped communities.
- Bilingual in Spanish, Tongan, Samoan, or Mandarin.
- Passion for trees, equity, and access to urban nature; willingness to memorize tree-specific
information.
- Knowledge and/or experience in arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, landscape
management or design, or related fields.
- Experience performing fieldwork outdoors with trees and/or plants.
- Experience installing and repairing irrigation is a plus.
- Experience organizing events and motivating others; volunteer coordination experience is a plus.
- Experience using an online database, such as Salesforce and GIS. Experience with online tree
mapping software like TreePlotter is a plus.
- Expertise in Google Suite.
- Several years of driving experience. Experience driving a trailer is a plus.
- Being an ISA Certified Arborist is a plus but not required, though we ask that you study for and
plan to take the exam during your position at Canopy if you are hired and are not yet a certified
arborist. Training and/or study materials for the exam will be provided, and Canopy will cover the
cost of the certification exam registration. Studying for the exam will take place during working
hours.
Requirements
- CA Drivers License
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
- Ability to bend, squat, stoop, and stand for long periods of time frequently.
- Ability to sit and type frequently.
Compensation and Benefits
- Annual salary: $60,000
- Health Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance is available
- Retirement: 401k, with the hope of offering employer matching contributions in the future.
- Sick leave: 12 days (96 hours) sick leave per year with a maximum accrual of 12 days per year.
- Vacation time: 12 days (96 hours) per year with a maximum accrual of 18 days per year. Accrual rates
increase after two years with Canopy.
- Paid holidays
TO APPLY
Please email your responses (and how you found out about this job) to the following questions (1 to 2
paragraphs per question) to jobs@canopy.org:
- What drew you to this position?
- What are your top two values and how do you see them relating to this position?
- At Canopy, we prioritize working with untapped communities. What does community mean to you and
what would your approach be to working with untapped communities? (You may share a specific
example or a general approach).
Emailing your resume (list of applicable experience) is optional. If you don’t have a resume and would like one,
there is free resume creation available through JobTrain. Please email JobSeekerServices@JobTrainWorks.org.
Equal opportunity employer: Canopy strives to engage, celebrate, and reflect the rich diversity of the communities we work with. We value inclusion and equity in our programs, leadership, and hiring practices. Canopy is a fair chance employer and does not use the e-Verify background check service. We invite anyone to apply regardless of their history, and we welcome neurodivergent applicants. If you can see yourself in this role, we invite you to apply!
* A Non-exempt Employee is provided meal and rest breaks consistent with California law and overtime pay for
working over 40 hours in one workweek or 8 hours in one day.