Dir, Pacific Northwest Urban Forestry

Success in this role requires addressing the systemic barriers that constrain urban forestry at every level, from building awareness with mayors and elected officials to shaping planning frameworks and forestry programs, to driving innovation in financing and funding. The right candidate is a recognized leader in the Pacific Northwest urban forestry community, with established relationships across the field, a strong command of policy and planning, and the ability to mobilize diverse stakeholders to build resilient, well-funded, and equitable urban forest systems across the region.

Major Responsibilities

• Build and maintain city, state, and regional partnerships to advance tree equity across the Pacific Northwest.
• Support municipalities and partners in adopting American Forests' tools and resources through outreach, learning opportunities, and hands-on technical assistance with priority focus on Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative participants and American Forests’ Catalyst Fund grantees in the region.
• Identify and pursue public and private funding opportunities to advance regional tree equity strategies.
• Maintain current awareness of urban forestry issues, cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national leaders, and direct resources strategically within the region.
• Serve as American Forests' regional expert on urban forestry, tree species, community dynamics, and related topics.

Specific Duties

Regional Strategy Implementation (65%)

• Develop & Implement Regional Strategy - In partnership with the VP, Urban & Community Forestry and Senior Director, Field Delivery, develop and execute a regional strategy with measurable annual goals to support municipalities in committing to and advancing tree equity. This includes building and sustaining strategic partnerships, delivering learning opportunities and technical assistance, and launching partner coalitions.
• Foster Strategic Partnerships - Cultivate new and steward existing relationships with urban forestry practitioners; state urban and community forestry coordinators; state environmental and natural resources agencies; state urban forestry councils; and regional USFS urban and community forestry program managers. Attend and present at key convenings to support municipal networks in adopting tree equity tools and identifying new funding opportunities.
• Conduct Outreach & Learning - Co-lead national educational strategies while leading regional and local efforts that result in cities committing to and advancing tree equity. This includes developing and delivering presentations and training at conferences and events, and maintaining a recurring engagement portfolio across a defined set of cities.
• Provide Technical Assistance - Manage relationships and lead American Forests' projects and initiatives across the region, with initial priority on Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative municipalities. Develop partnerships, scope opportunities, and identify funding to deliver direct, hands-on support to cities using American Forests' tools and resources. Provide ongoing technical assistance to American Forests’ Catalyst Fund subaward recipients in the region and support American Forests' events and corporate tree plantings as needed.
• Co-lead the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative - Support coalition coordination, including meetings, workgroups, and in-person events; conduct outreach to engage new cities; and provide thought leadership to ensure partners have the tools and resources to advance tree equity. Collaborate with partners on local and national fundraising strategies to sustain coalition goals.

Program Support & Collaboration (20%)

• National Program Support - Where opportunities arise, support efforts to establish partnerships and programs in new cities and geographies outside the PNW region.

• Regional Collaboration - Collaborate regularly with fellow American Forests staff to streamline processes, share knowledge, and deliver coordinated support across the U.S.

Administration (15%)

• Marketing & Communications - Serve as a key resource for internal and external communications related to American Forests' urban forestry impact in the region, including media interviews and other requests as the regional expert.
• Budgeting - Support American Forests’ Finance & Operations team in developing and managing budgets for grant proposals, contracts, and subawards to secure and manage revenue in support of the regional strategy.
• Fundraising - Collaborate with Philanthropy, the Senior Director, and Finance & Operations to submit proposals, support donor communications, and generate reports and invoices to advance Field Delivery fundraising in the region.
• Operations - Manage and report regional project information via Airtable and Microsoft Office tools, including project budgets and narratives. Provide additional support across the team as needed.

What We’re Looking For

We don’t expect you to check every single box. If this role excites you, we want to hear from you! We’re interested in your ability to learn, collaborate, and bring fresh perspectives.

• 5-7 years of professional urban forestry experience in the Pacific Northwest, with established relationships with municipal and state agencies, state urban and community forestry councils , and regional coordinators, USFS regional foresters, community-based organizations, and funders. 
• ISA Certified Arborist and/or Certified Urban Forest Professional preferred, with a degree in urban forestry, urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a related field, and strong knowledge of urban forest planning, canopy assessment, and strategies for equitable community-based urban forestry. Candidates may also bring expertise in planning, policy, or community engagement, reflecting the broad skillset needed for urban forestry leadership.
• Advanced knowledge of American Forests’ tree equity tools and resources, with a preference for candidates who can translate technical knowledge for diverse audiences. 
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and informing and leading partnerships, particularly in the context of local or statewide cross-sector coalitions. 
• Experience growing and managing complex projects in a remote environment, including developing and driving forward KPIs.  
• Demonstrated ability to proactively pursue revenue generation opportunities to scale impact towards advancing tree equity at various scales.  
• Ability to navigate municipal systems and priorities, including understanding city-wide tree management practices, budget structures, and administrative processes, while fostering equitable planning, community engagement, and partnerships with local organizations and city champions.
• Experience either directly managing or being accountable for diverse and complex budgets and grants, including both private and public funding; strong acumen in research and grant writing; ease of working with Marketing and Communications and Philanthropy. 
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to confidently and persuasively sustain productive partnerships. 

• Quick learner with exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and take initiative to develop systems that enhance team efficiency. 
• Demonstrated commitment to American Forests values, which include advancing the interests of all people, embracing all perspectives, prioritizing work not by popularity but by what is needed most, and empowering people to take action, and a commitment to social and environmental justice.

Reporting and Supervision

The Director, Pacific Northwest Urban Forestry reports to the Senior Director, Urban Forestry Field Delivery. This position will ensure seamless internal coordination and accountability, alongside the Urban & Community Forestry team as well as Resilient Forests, Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications, GIS & Data Science, and Policy & Partnerships staff as they support our larger regional goals. 

This position does not have any direct reports at this time.

Working Conditions

This is a remote position based in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, with a preference for the Seattle or Portland metro areas. Up to 25% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington, D.C. or to Seattle, WA may be required. 

This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods and to operate a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is between $90,000 and $95,000.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and overall quality of life. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health and wellness resources such as an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and disability, life, and AD&D insurance. To promote work-life balance, employees receive vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental bonding leave, bereavement leave, and military leave. Financial and retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match. Additional perks, such as a technology stipend and pet benefits, further enhance the overall employee experience.

About Us

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S., working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years. 

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.