Our Mission in Action

Trees play a vital role in solving some of the most pressing issues facing our communities, our society, and our world today. For 150 years, American Forests (AF) has stood boldly at the forefront of the conservation movement, working collaboratively and innovatively to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of trees. As we look ahead to the next 150 years, continued collective action will be essential to securing a healthy, climate-resilient future for all. To support this work, we are looking for a Senior Manager, Southwest Urban Forestry, to join our Field Delivery team in our Urban Forestry department.

Since 2018, AF has been supporting communities by using the power of trees to address environmental injustices faced by the country’s most disadvantaged communities. With this, AF created a bold goal of delivering the needed technical expertise, workforce and funding opportunities, and policy guidance to help U.S. cities commit to and make progress towards Tree Equity across the country, with over 1,000 and counting.

American Forests’ Urban Forestry Field Delivery team delivers tools, resources, and technical assistance to city and state leaders. Our team of regional urban forestry specialists serve as AF’s front-line staff to both proactively engage new cities in committing to Tree Equity, while also providing exceptional support and services to cities already advancing Tree Equity.

What You’ll Do

The Senior Manager, Southwest Urban Forestry, helps lead American Forests’ Tree Equity and urban forestry work across the Southwest, starting in Arizona, with a focus on Maricopa County. This role focuses on building strong local partnerships, coordinating regional coalitions, managing the day-to-day work of key projects, and supporting cities and community partners with planning, tree planting, and practical urban forestry support.

A central responsibility of this role is coordinating and supporting the Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable, a coalition co-led by American Forests, and related networks to ensure effective communication, shared planning and measurable progress to advance Tree Equity in the region. Working under the direction of the Director, Southwest Urban Forestry, this role supports project delivery, partner engagement, technical assistance coordination, and support for projects in other regions outside of the Southwest, while supporting the Director in developing and executing regional strategies, building and sustaining relationships with key partners, and growing the program through communications & fundraising.

Major responsibilities include:

• Bring together and maintain partnerships across cities, states, and regions to open lines of communication, enhance coordination, and work collaboratively on improving urban tree canopy stewardship and planting in ways that will measurably mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve local air quality, and prioritize achieving Tree Equity through municipal and private investment in trees, particularly in frontline communities currently lacking in tree canopy.
• Support partners and coalition members in adopting and applying American Forests’ tools and resources, including our online tools Tree Equity Score and the Tree Equity Handbook, through outreach, training, and hands-on assistance, with priority attention to AF’s community partners and subgrantees.
• Execute American Forests' strategies in the Southwest by developing and implementing project plans, coordinating with partners, and creating and delivering practical tools and materials to help cities, states, and local partners take action.
• Provide programmatic, logistical, and technical support to ensure effective implementation of American Forests’ projects, trainings, and engagements across the region.
• Maintain awareness of regional urban forestry challenges, opportunities, and partner needs, synthesizing insights to inform decision-making, resource deployment, and continuous improvement of regional efforts.
• Serve as a key implementation partner to the Director, supporting preparation of presentations and documents for external engagements, managing day-to-day coordination of program delivery, and ensuring continuity across partnerships, projects, and coalitions.

Coalition & Partnership Coordination (35%)

• Coordinate and support all activities of the Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable alongside local partners, including meeting planning, agenda design, partner engagement, outreach and engagement to new potential coalition partners across the state, follow-up, and documentation of ongoing progress.
• Maintain regular communication with municipalities, nonprofit partners, community organizations, state agencies, and other regional stakeholders to ensure alignment and progress on shared objectives.
• Support partner stewardship across Arizona by responding to requests, tracking local needs, and enhancing communication across the network.
• Assist in identifying and advancing progress of coalitions, similar to the Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable, in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Utah.

Program & Project Support (35%)

• Support implementation of city-level and regional Tree Equity projects by managing logistics, timelines, documentation, and partner communications.
• Assist in developing scopes, timelines, budgets, and deliverables for projects in collaboration with the Director.
• Coordinate workshops, partner trainings, webinars, and technical assistance sessions to deliver American Forests’ tools and resources to a variety of audiences.
• Train and assist partners in using Tree Equity Score, Tree Equity Handbook, and other tools and resources to advance local, state and regional Tree Equity programs and projects.
• Contribute to the development of local planning, policy, and funding materials by preparing research summaries, background documents, and draft content.

Operations & Administration (15%)

• Manage administrative tasks including scheduling, file organization, expense tracking, and internal coordination.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, planning sessions, and organization-wide activities.
• Provide support for national initiatives and special projects as capacity and regional priorities allow.
• Manage and report regional project information via Airtable and Microsoft Office tools, including supporting the Director, Southwest Urban Forestry in developing regional project budgets and project narratives upon request. Provide additional support on other duties as assigned to collaborate across the team and ensure the successful delivery and administration of team strategies.

Communications & External Engagement (10%)

• Prepare partner updates, meeting materials, presentations, and summaries that reflect regional progress and key milestones.
• Draft content for American Forests marketing & communications on regional accomplishments, partner work, or project highlights
• Represent American Forests at meetings, community events, workshops, and conferences when appropriate and aligned with regional priorities.

Fundraising & Reporting Support (5%)

• Assist with gathering information and documentation needed for grant proposals, donor engagement, and reporting.
• Support narrative and budget reporting by compiling partner inputs, progress summaries, and data as requested.

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.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in urban forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, environmental planning, sustainability, public administration, or related fields.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in urban forestry, environmental programs, municipal/governmental partnership work, community engagement, or coalition coordination.
• Prior experience supporting multi-stakeholder coalitions or coordinating cross-sector initiatives.
• ISA-certified Arborist and/or Certified Urban Forest Professional, or the ability to get that certification in first 6 months
• Professional working proficiency in English and Spanish, both oral and written, is preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, maintain attention to detail, and operate efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with municipalities, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and other regional partners.
• Ability to translate technical information into actionable guidance for partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to American Forests values, which include advancing the interests of all people, embracing all perspectives, prioritizing work not by popularity but what is needed most and empowering people to take action, and a commitment to social and environmental justice.
• Proactive problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• High emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and cultural humility.

Reporting and Supervision

The Senior Manager, Southwest Urban Forestry reports to the Director, Southwest Urban Forestry. This position will support internal coordination and accountability, as needed, across AF’s diverse Tree Equity department, including Urban Forestry teams working at both national and local scales, as well as Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications, GIS & Data Science, and Policy & Partnerships staff as they support our larger program goals. This position does not have any direct reports at this time.

Working Conditions

This is a remote position based in the Southwest, with a strong preference for residence in Maricopa County, Arizona. Up to 20% of travel throughout the Southwest and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C. 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. This is a one-year position, with extension pending future funding availability.

The budgeted salary range is between $60,000 and $80,000.

Our benefits package includes:

Attitude • Communication • Organization • Problem-Solving & Creativity • Representing the Organization

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 restoring 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.
Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+ Encouraged to Apply
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.