Western Reserve Land Conservancy has an immediate opening for a Planting Operations Coordinator. The position reports to the Senior Manager of Community Forestry and will be located at the Land Conservancy’s facilities in Cleveland, Ohio. There may also be some work at field locations throughout Cleveland.
This is a full-time position with a salary range of $45,000 to $51,000 annually, commensurate with experience, and the position is eligible for benefits.
BACKGROUND
Western Reserve Land Conservancy is transforming communities across Ohio by protecting the land and water that sustains us and reimagining the places where we live. Headquartered in Moreland Hills, we are the largest land conservancy in the state and a nationally accredited nonprofit through the Land Trust Alliance.
Our work spans the state of Ohio—from the Lake Erie shoreline, to working farms and forests, and into the heart of our cities. Through partnerships statewide, we have permanently protected more than 80,000 acres across 1,000 properties, including the creation of 250 public parks and preserves. We collaborate with private landowners, farmers, public agencies, corporations, and community partners to conserve natural landscapes, prime soils, and bring nature back into neighborhoods. Our nationally recognized Urban Conservation program is at the forefront of urban revitalization—turning vacant and blighted properties into vibrant green spaces, advancing innovative land reuse strategies, planting trees, and creating healthier, more resilient communities.
None of this is possible without the commitment and dedication of our talented staff. We are very proud that since 2021 we have been recognized 5 times as a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com.
Driven by a bold vision and powered by public and private investment, Western Reserve Land Conservancy is proving that strategic conservation and community revitalization can shape a stronger, greener future for all Ohioans.
POSITION SUMMARY
This role manages the operational planning and logistics of tree planting initiatives, ensuring the timely sourcing and inventory management of over 800 trees annually. It oversees the development and maintenance of databases for trees, tools, and supplies to support efficient field operations and stakeholder visibility.
Responsibilities include procuring trees, equipment, and materials with a focus on cost efficiency, coordinating vehicles, contractors, and site preparation, and ensuring accurate tracking of planted trees in GIS systems. The role also supports permitting, utility coordination, and overall readiness of planting activities to ensure smooth and compliant project execution.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Community Tree Plantings
- Source trees - maintain adequate inventory of over 800 trees per year for planting initiatives in spring and fall
- Design, develop and implement tree inventory database to ensure all stakeholders have access to the status of each plant
- Design, develop and implement tool, equipment and supply databases ensuring tree care teams have access to supplies required for planting
- Source tree supplies and tools ensuring cost savings where possible and working with Finance to ensure vendors are paid
- Ensure accurate planted tree inventory in our ARC GIS system
- Coordinate vehicles and equipment for planting
- Coordinate contractors and/or internal resources for planting specific site prep (hole digging, soil amendment)
- Call OUPS for planting
- Assist in permitting
Planning
- Assist Community Forester, Development, Grant Managers and Tree Care Manager in tracking grant deliverables and assuring alignment between funding sources, labor and volunteers, and grant deliverables
Tree Giveaways
- Track metrics on survival of distributed trees, implementing changes to the program to maximize establishment
Other
- Support maintenance operations, engaging in fieldwork seasonally
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES
- Experience working in urban and community forestry
- Experience with project management
- Experience working on a collaborative team
- Strong organizational skills
- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work outside in all types of weather and lift 80 pounds
- Minimum of high school degree, with college degree preferred
- Experience driving a large truck and pulling a trailer
- Prior experience working with volunteers
Western Reserve Land Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to hiring staff members who represent the rich diversity of our community. At the Land Conservancy, all employees and applicants for employment are judged on their merits. The Land Conservancy is committed to providing an environment free of illegal discrimination of any kind, and does not base any employment decisions on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, religion, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected category under federal and state laws.
