Urban Forestry Coordinator

This position entails statewide responsibilities to develop and administer all aspects of Oklahoma Forestry Services' (OFS) urban and community forestry (UCF) program; provide and execute long-term vision for the program's success.

Typical Functions:

• Increase the awareness of the importance of Oklahoma's urban and community tree canopies. This position will plan, administer, and coordinate UCF assistance with civic and community leaders, government agencies, private organizations, individuals, and field staff.

• Cooperate with community-level leadership to initiate and build local UCF programs; serve as a spokesperson for OFS's program and statewide UCF implementation.

• Represent Oklahoma's UCF interests on a national scale.

• Note changes to federal policy and initiatives, gauge their impact on Oklahoma's UCF programs, and voice approval or concerns about impacts on statewide UCF programs.

• Serve as OFS' representative on the Southern Group of State Foresters' UCF committee and attend all meetings and calls required of that role.

• Cooperate with regional and national UCF coordinators and partners from other states.

• Serve as the state administrator of the Tree City, Campus, and Utility USA programs, act as the state coordinator of the Champion Trees Program.

• Serve on the Oklahoma Community Forestry Council in various roles.

• Provide urban forestry training and educational opportunities to individuals and groups in both public and private sectors.

• Promote the professionalism of the tree care industry.

• Administer a growing budget of federal funds, which includes base funding for UCF programs and activities, and other various grant programs, maintaining proficiency in executing program guidelines.

• Support the agency's emergency response and incident management obligations as requested.

Education and Experience: This position requires a Bachelor's degree in agriculture, forestry or a closely related field and three years of experience in urban forestry, forest management, and/or forest health, regulation or production, forestry, plant industries, laboratory management, consumer protection, or public administration, plus two years of experience in a supervisory capacity, or an equivalent combination of education and experience OR a Master's degree in Forestry or acceptable related field and two years of experience in urban forestry, forest management, and/or forest health with two years of experience in a supervisory capacity.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities: Requirements at this level include practical experience in horticulture, landscape architecture, landscape design, arboriculture, public administration, education, and/or land use planning. Must possess demonstrable skills in leadership, planning, organization, and communication. Must possess an understanding of UCF issues and likely areas where special efforts in program delivery may be required. Ability is required to manage programs and personnel; to interpret state and federal laws; prepare and develop training programs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; write technical reports; and to supervise and direct the work of others. Knowledge of basic software such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Pro, and GIS software is required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: This position is set in both a climate-controlled office environment, with operation of office equipment and communicating with both employees and nonemployees. Field work sometimes occurs in extreme environmental conditions, including but not limited to: hot/cold temperatures; high relative humidity; high winds. This position may require up to 30% travel throughout the year.