Urban Forestry Program Coordinator & Technical AdvisorPosition Overview
The Black Environmental Initiative (BEI) is seeking an Urban Forestry Program Coordinator & Technical Advisor to help us transform underused urban spaces into thriving, biodiverse green spaces.
This is a hybrid role combining hands-on urban forestry expertise with program coordination. We are looking for someone who can walk onto a prospective planting site, assess its opportunities and constraints, and help BEI determine what we should plant, where we should plant it, and how the site should be stewarded over time.
The successful candidate will also help coordinate BEI's urban forestry initiatives, working closely with the Executive Director, staff, volunteers, community members, property owners, municipalities, and partner organizations.
BEI is a Black-led environmental organization whose work is rooted in environmental justice and Afro-environmentalism. Much of our work takes place alongside Black, racialized, newcomer, and other equity-denied communities across Toronto.
The Role
This position has two interconnected areas of responsibility.
1. Urban Forestry Technical Leadership
You will serve as one of BEI's key internal sources of urban forestry expertise.
Responsibilities include:
- Conduct site assessments at prospective planting locations across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
- Determine suitable planting areas and estimate the number and types of trees and shrubs that can reasonably be planted.
- Assess site conditions including available growing space, soil, drainage, sunlight, existing vegetation, infrastructure, utilities, buildings, pathways, and other constraints.
- Develop practical planting visions and site-specific recommendations.
- Recommend appropriate native and climate-resilient tree and shrub species based on site conditions and project objectives.
- Help BEI identify opportunities to improve biodiversity, canopy cover, habitat connectivity, and ecological resilience.
- Provide technical guidance during planting events and other urban forestry activities.
- Advise BEI on establishment care, maintenance, monitoring, and long-term stewardship.
- Participate in site visits and planning meetings with property owners, community partners, municipalities, and other stakeholders.
- Work closely with BEI's Urban Forestry Researcher to ensure that our practices are informed by current urban forestry research and best practices.
- Help BEI continuously strengthen its internal urban forestry knowledge and capacity.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have actually assessed sites and planted and cared for trees, whether that experience was gained through professional employment, community forestry, landscaping, horticulture, conservation, arboriculture, ecological restoration, or related work.
2. Program Coordination
You will also help coordinate the day-to-day implementation of BEI's urban forestry programs under the direction of the Executive Director.
Responsibilities may include:
- Develop and maintain project workplans, schedules, and activity trackers.
- Coordinate planting events, site visits, meetings, volunteers, materials, and other logistics.
- Communicate with community members, partners, property owners, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
- Maintain organized program records and documentation.
- Track project activities, deliverables, participation, and results.
- Support reporting to funders and partners.
- Help identify operational challenges and develop practical solutions.
- Work collaboratively with other BEI staff to ensure projects move from planning to successful implementation.
You do not need to be an experienced program manager. BEI can provide training and mentorship in program coordination. However, you should be organized, dependable, comfortable using common office software, and able to communicate clearly in writing.
What We're Looking For
We value practical experience and demonstrated knowledge as much as formal education. You do not need a specific university degree to be considered.
A strong candidate will bring several of the following:
- Significant hands-on experience planting, caring for, assessing, or managing trees and shrubs.
- Experience conducting site assessments for tree planting or ecological restoration projects.
- Strong knowledge of trees and shrubs found in Ontario, particularly native species.
- Understanding of urban forestry, biodiversity, urban ecosystems, and ecological restoration.
- Ability to evaluate planting opportunities and constraints in urban environments.
- Experience developing planting plans or making species-selection recommendations.
- Understanding of tree establishment, maintenance, and long-term stewardship.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a small team.
Experience in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscaping, ecological restoration, conservation, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a related field would be an asset.
Community Experience
BEI's work is deeply rooted in Black communities and in addressing environmental inequities affecting Black and other racialized communities.
We therefore particularly value candidates who bring demonstrated experience building respectful relationships and working effectively with Black communities in Toronto, or who can demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to community-led environmental justice.
Knowledge of the communities and neighbourhoods in which BEI works, and experience working with racialized youth, newcomers, community organizations, or residents in equity-denied neighbourhoods, will be considered an asset.
BEI strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, racialized, newcomer, and other candidates who have historically been underrepresented in the environmental and urban forestry sectors.
Contract Duration
This is initially a short-term contract expected to run until October 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on organizational needs and available funding.
BEI is actively planning its 2027 urban forestry programming. A candidate who performs well in the role and is a strong fit with the team will be given strong consideration for a returning position anticipated to run from approximately February to October 2027, subject to BEI securing funding for its 2027 programs.
Our hope is to build a longer-term relationship with the right candidate as BEI's urban forestry work continues to grow.
Who You Are
You believe that environmental work should be both ecologically sound and community-driven.
You are comfortable getting your hands dirty and walking through a site to figure out what is actually possible rather than only developing plans from behind a desk.
You enjoy solving ecological and logistical challenges while working respectfully with residents, youth, volunteers, property owners, and community partners.
You understand BEI's mission of advancing Afro-environmentalism and recognize the important historical and contemporary role that Black communities play in environmental stewardship.
Most importantly, you are excited by the opportunity to help a growing Black-led environmental organization build its urban forestry expertise and expand its impact.
Why Join BEI?
At BEI, we believe everyone deserves access to healthy, biodiverse, climate-resilient neighbourhoods.
You will have the opportunity to help shape a growing urban forestry program that combines tree planting, biodiversity, environmental justice, youth leadership, and community stewardship.
Unlike a narrowly defined technical position, this role gives you an opportunity to influence projects from the earliest site assessment through planting and long-term stewardship.
Your expertise will directly contribute to expanding tree canopy, restoring biodiversity, strengthening community stewardship, and creating healthier neighbourhoods across Toronto.
To Apply
Please submit:
- A résumé or CV; and
- A brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and highlighting your relevant urban forestry, ecological, community, and/or program coordination experience.
We are especially interested in hearing about hands-on projects you have worked on. In your cover letter, feel free to describe planting projects, site assessments, ecological restoration work, community-based environmental initiatives, or other experiences that demonstrate what you would bring to BEI.
Please send applications to [email protected].
BEI is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request.
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Expected hours: 21.0 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Work from home
Work Location: In person
