Job Summary
TreesDurham is seeking an enthusiastic executive director (ED) to grow our organization, build partnerships, improve our environment, and use trees to build our community with an eye on equity. TreesDurham is an environmental justice nonprofit whose mission is to create a sustainable, resilient and socially just tree canopy in Durham. The ED will run all aspects of the nonprofit, from fundraising and finance to community outreach and tree plantings. While the ED must be able to work independently, particularly at first, TreesDurham anticipates quickly hiring more staff and is part of a supportive network of nonprofits working at the intersection of the environment and antiracism to make Durham a green, just, healthy, and happy community.
Job Focus Area and Tasks:
1. Expand Durham’s Tree Canopy in a data based, just way through partnerships, workshops, and tree events
a. Identify, sponsor and run tree giveaways, plantings and care events, in particular targeting underserved neighborhoods and communities of color
b. Coordinate the annual tree conference
c. Build and maintain identified partnerships, and strategically grow new partnerships
d. Provide tree and forest related education and information to the public, partners, and individuals through a variety of means. These may include creating new content, such as blog posts and tree planting workshops, or amplifying the works of others
2. Advocate for sustainable and socially just tree based laws, programs and policies
a. Provide a strong voice for trees and forests in Durham
b. Develop and promote tree and forest friendly policies and laws
c. Track, disseminate, help clarify and provide feedback on policies, developments and laws related to Durham’s trees and forests
d. Provide opportunities for volunteers to engage and influence city and county government
3. Run a data forward, green focused organization for long term, sustainable growth, with an antiracism lens. This includes:
a. Financial management: fund raising, budget creation and administration
b. Personnel management: hiring and managing additional staff; investing; participating in and tracking training; helping manage volunteers
c. Equipment and facilities management: coordination of maintenance of the trailer of tools and future equipment.
d. Short and long term strategy: working with the board to create long term strategy and executing long and short term strategic plans.
e. Antiracism: participating in local antiracism trainings, providing opportunities for the staff and board to participate in similar trainings, working to provide a justice based lens to programs and policies
f. Board Liaison: serving as an ex officio on the TreesDurham board and delivering reports to the board as needed
Requirements:
● Passion for trees, the environment and social justice
● Undergraduate degree in environment, landscape architecture, policy, planning or related. Arborist certification preferred, or ability to obtain the certification within two years
● Minimum of five years experience in nonprofit management, which includes experience in personnel, program management and creation, finance, strategy and communication
● Willingness to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights and weekends
● Experience with fundraising, including grant writing and donor management
● A strong knowledge or interest around trees, community engagement, design innovation and urban forest
● Enthusiasm and skills for creating and supporting an antiracist culture within the organization and its programs
● Outstanding communicator, both oral and written; active listener; able to connect with diverse stakeholders; effective public speaking skills
● Physical ability to lift up to 30 lbs, dig holes and plant trees
● Comfort with driving a pick-up truck and trailer, or willingness to learn