Community Forestry Manager 

M-F and occasional weekends and events 
Full-time, salaried/exempt  

DCH

Since 1977, the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) has worked alongside communities to transform underutilized and overlooked spaces into vibrant places of beauty, connection, and resilience. Founded by volunteers and members of the Garden Club of Wilmington, DCH began as a small volunteer-led initiative, and has grown into a trusted leader in urban greening, environmental education, and community revitalization throughout Wilmington and New Castle County. We are rooted in the belief that access to nature, clean air, healthy food, and green space is essential — not optional. Much of our work takes place in neighborhoods that have faced disinvestment, blight, environmental burdens, and limited access to green spaces. By integrating horticulture with workforce development, public health, and sustainability, we help strengthen the social fabric and create greener, more livable communities. 

Position Summary
The Community Forestry Manager is a full-time exempt salaried position. The ideal candidate is an experienced (preferably ISA-certified) arborist with a deep passion and commitment to urban and community forestry. As a member of the programs team, the Community Forestry Manager provides management and oversight of our tree stewardship and tree planting programs and initiatives, as well as serving as the liaison to our partnerships in the City of Wilmington in providing arboriculture expertise for tree consultation, tree assessment, and contractual oversight.  The Community Forestry Manager oversees the grant implementation and deliverables in our annual tree plantings and tree stewardship goals, and provides educational and training opportunities to community stakeholders, volunteers, and our own workforce in training.  The position is supported by an Urban Greening Coordinator, who provides assistance in planning and the execution of our urban greening and tree planting initiatives, along with other members of the public landscapes and programs team.   

Primary Responsibilities & Priorities

• Work with the Director of Horticulture and Executive Director to set overarching goals for Community Forestry at DCH, incorporate these goals during planning, assess the effectiveness of the program in reaching those goals, and develop/track/measure key performance indicators (KPI) annually to inform DCH’s funders and partners.   
• Provides fiscal and project oversight of urban forestry contracts from inception to completion, including scope development, estimates, bidding documents and RFPs, and timely completion.
• Oversee the Community Forestry program budget, and initiates opportunities to source additional earned and contributed revenue resources to sustain the program goals. 
• Develop, implement, and lead community tree plantings including corporate volunteer plantings, neighborhood tree steward plantings, and other partner-focused tree plantings. Support education programs (such as Arbor Day) by leading hands-on tree plantings and activities.  
• Serve as DCH’s primary ISA-certified arborist, providing arboriculture expertise for tree consultation, tree assessment and contractual oversight. 
• Work with DCH’s volunteer tree stewards to support neighborhoods and communities in the planting and care of trees in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County and State of Delaware.  

Collaboration and Assistance:

• Assist Grants Manager with pertinent information in seeking out new grants and reporting on awarded grants. 
• Represent DCH by actively participating and engaging local and regional collaborations and initiatives such as the Wilmington Tree Commission, Delaware Urban & Community Forestry Council, Urban Ecology Collaborative, etc.  
• Track, monitor and follow up on constituent tree requests, maintain records and inventory of DCH sponsored tree work, and assemble project proposals. 
• Assist Director of Horticulture and Landscapes Manager with landscape installation projects as needed.  
• Serve as a mentor and coach for proper tree care for DCH staff and Branches to Chances participants. 
• Field and respond to tree-related inquiries and requests for assistance and referrals; proactively communicate with constituents and funders, community representatives, elected officials and legislators on tree-related issues. 

Supervisor and Sources of Collaboration  

Reports to: Director of Horticulture 
Collaborates with: Programs team including Education, Public Landscapes, Volunteer Manager 
Direct Reports: Urban Greening Coordinator and volunteers 

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Natural Resource Management or related field, and minimum 5 years forestry experience; ISA-certified arborist preferred. 
• Minimum 5 years management experience in staff supervision and project leadership. 
• Budget management and fundraising experience, including grant management. 
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills. 
• Proficient in horticultural tools and technology. 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work outdoors in variable conditions.

Work Environment and Physical Demands 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift 50+ pounds and perform physical labor outdoors year-round. 
• Comfortable using horticultural tools and equipment. 
• Ability to stand and work on foot for extended periods. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. 
  
  

Equal Opportunity 

DCH considers candidates for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, genetic information, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a disabled veteran or other protect classification and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

DCH reserves the right to change this job description as conditions change.