Forestry Program Coordinator

Job description

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment. Position Type: Part-Time Program Year: 2026–2027 School Year Reports To: Program Administrator / Designated School District Supervisor Location: Lansing School District schools, outdoor learning sites, and community forestry project locations **Position Summary** The Forestry Program Coordinator will coordinate and oversee hands-on forestry, environmental education, and outdoor work-based learning activities for Lansing School District high school students participating in the forestry program. A primary responsibility of this position is to work directly with high school forestry peer mentors, providing guidance, training, project coordination, and hands-on support as students develop the skills needed to lead forestry and environmental activities with younger students. The Coordinator will help connect classroom learning with real-world forestry experiences, including tree planting, tree care, habitat improvement, school beautification, environmental education, and community forestry projects. The position will also help ensure that student-led projects are organized, safe, educational, and aligned with school and community goals. ### Essential Duties and Responsibilities **1. High School Forestry Peer Mentor Support** - 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. **2. Forestry Work-Based Learning** - 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. **3. Student-Led Elementary Forestry Activities** - 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. **4. School Forestry Projects** - 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. **5. Safety and Equipment** - 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. **6. Program Coordination** - 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. **7. Student Leadership Development** - 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. ### Qualifications **Required** - 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. **Preferred** - 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. ### Key Performance Expectations • Establish a consistent and productive working relationship with high school forestry peer mentors. • Provide meaningful hands-on forestry experiences for students. • Help students develop leadership and workplace skills. • Support students in successfully leading activities with younger students. • Complete forestry and beautification projects at participating schools. • Maintain safe and organized work environments. • Build partnerships with forestry, environmental, education, and workforce organizations. • Help students connect forestry education to real-world careers and employment opportunities. ### Student Outcomes • Develop practical forestry and environmental skills. • Gain hands-on work experience. • Practice leadership and mentoring. • Lead activities for younger students. • Learn proper use of forestry and landscaping tools. • Develop workplace communication and teamwork skills. • Participate in community improvement projects. • Explore forestry and environmental career pathways. • Build experiences that can be included on resumes, portfolios, and job applications. ### Position Goal The overall goal of the Forestry Work Coordinator is to create a structured bridge between forestry education, student leadership, work-based learning, and community service. The Coordinator will help high school forestry peer mentors move from learning about forestry to doing real forestry work, leading other students, and developing skills that prepare them for future employment and career opportunities.