Forestry Program Coordinator

About the company

Lansing School District

Education management · 1,001 to 5,000 employees

What you'll do

• Work directly with selected high school forestry peer mentors.
• Provide ongoing coaching, supervision, and hands-on guidance.
• Help peer mentors develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and project-management skills.
• Prepare peer mentors to lead forestry and environmental activities with elementary and middle school students.
• Help students understand appropriate safety procedures and expectations when working outdoors.
• Provide feedback to students regarding their leadership and work performance.
• Help students build professional skills that can be used in future employment, internships, and career training.
• Coordinate hands-on forestry work experiences for high school students.
• Provide opportunities for students to learn about tree planting, tree identification, tree care, habitat restoration, invasive species, environmental stewardship, and urban forestry.
• Connect students with real-world forestry professionals, municipal staff, environmental organizations, and other industry partners.
• Help students understand career pathways in forestry, environmental science, natural resources, landscaping, arboriculture, conservation, and related fields.
• Assist students in developing work habits, including punctuality, responsibility, teamwork, communication, and proper use of tools and equipment.
• Work with high school peer mentors to develop age-appropriate forestry activities for elementary students.
• Assist students in planning and delivering hands-on lessons, demonstrations, games, and outdoor activities.
• Coordinate activities involving tree identification, planting, environmental education, wildlife habitat, conservation, and school beautification.
• Help peer mentors develop classroom and outdoor activity plans.
• Provide guidance to students on working appropriately with younger children.
• Support a positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.
• Coordinate forestry and beautification projects at participating Lansing School District schools.
• Assist with planning tree planting and landscape improvement projects.
• Coordinate student work crews and peer mentors during outdoor projects.
• Help identify projects that provide meaningful learning experiences for students.
• Coordinate with school staff and community partners regarding schedules, materials, site preparation, and student participation.
• Assist with follow-up tree care and maintenance activities.
• Teach and reinforce safe outdoor work practices.
• Ensure students receive appropriate instruction before using forestry and landscaping tools.
• Monitor student use of tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.
• Maintain an organized inventory of forestry tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Report damaged or unsafe equipment and recommend replacements when needed.
• Follow Lansing School District safety policies and applicable site requirements.
• Develop and maintain a yearly schedule of forestry activities and student work experiences.
• Coordinate school-based and outdoor learning activities with teachers and program staff.
• Assist with scheduling field experiences, forestry projects, guest speakers, and career exploration activities.
• Coordinate with City of Lansing forestry staff and other community partners when appropriate.
• Assist with transportation and logistical planning for off-site activities.
• Maintain records of student participation and completed forestry projects.
• Help students transition from participants to peer leaders.
• Provide opportunities for students to take increasing responsibility for planning and leading activities.
• Encourage students to develop confidence, professionalism, and leadership skills.
• Help students document their forestry experiences for resumes, portfolios, internships, and future employment.
• Support students in exploring postsecondary education, apprenticeships, certifications, and careers related to forestry and environmental work.

What you need

• Experience in forestry, environmental education, landscaping, natural resources, agriculture, conservation, outdoor education, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with high school students or young people.
• Ability to lead hands-on outdoor activities.
• Ability to teach and reinforce workplace and outdoor safety practices.
• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff, students, families, and community partners.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to pass required school district background and employment requirements.
• Experience with urban forestry, arboriculture, tree planting, or municipal forestry.
• Experience supervising or mentoring youth.
• Experience developing environmental education activities.
• Experience working with student peer mentors or youth leadership programs.
• Knowledge of native trees, plants, wildlife habitat, and local ecosystems.
• First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience with landscaping tools and basic forestry equipment.

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