The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a non-profit membership organization that serves the needs of tree care professionals and promotes the profession of arboriculture around the world. ISA is known as an industry authority on research, education and professional development in arboriculture and urban forestry. Each role in the organization plays an important part in delivering excellent member benefits and customer service.

The ISA Outreach and Education Lead ensures educational opportunities for arborists through safe, competitive events designed to foster and emulate best practices in the arboriculture industry. Utilizing industry knowledge and expertise, the Outreach and Education Lead supports the management of the ISA tree climbing competition series from a policy and committee level, designs, delivers and supports educational and credentialing activities and other ISA programs and products.

Job Description:

• Understands ISA’s Mission and adheres to organization and staff core values.
• Works with internal and external collaborators to ensure successful execution of the ISA Tree Climbing Championship Series (TCC Series).
• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert, partnering to develop innovative products and services that contribute to the success of the TCC Series (E.g.-Apps, scoring programs, online resources, and educational and training activities)
• Provide staff support at the ISA International Tree Climbing Championship, the North American Tree Climbing Championship, the Latin American Tree Climbing Championship, the European Tree Climbing Championship and the Asia Pacific Tree Climbing Championship.
• Designs and delivers educational workshops and activities related to TCCs such as event demonstrations, safety, volunteer training, etc.
•  Serves as staff liaison for the ISA TCC Operations Committee(s) and the TCC Strategic Committee, supporting the development, execution and evolution of TCC Series (not the event logistics).
• Serves as staff liaison to the Rules Committee; writing policies and processes; and record keeping for development of the ISA TCC Series rules. Ensures all rules inquiries are answered in a timely manner.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures around new equipment implementation in the TCC Series, including equipment approval and technician training.
• Develops and maintains the scoring program used for the TCC Series, including training materials. Answers questions regarding use of the program at ISA and ISA component competitions.
• Provides information, training, and support for the ISA components for use in their TCCs.
• Manages ISA’s equipment acquisition for climbing competitions, including purchasing, inventorying, inspection, and competition organization and disbursement.
• Keeps up to date with industry trends, innovations, new equipment, practices, and industry safety standards.
• Contributes to the Educational Products and Services department in developing, maintaining, and delivering ISA products, working with volunteers, ISA components, and outside vendors.
• Supports ISA credentialing exams and training at TCC events.
• Serves as an internal resource offering arboricultural expertise, including review of both visual and verbal content.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in arboriculture, urban forestry, or a related field from an accredited college or university; and at least four years’ related industry experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• ISA Certified Arborist or ISA Certified Tree Climber is required.

• Prior project management experience exhibiting superior organizational skills and attention to detail is required.

• Prior educational/training development is required.

• Experience with the ISA Tree Climbing Championships or ISA Chapter or Associate Organization Tree Climbing Competitions is a plus.

• Experience working internationally is a plus.

Language Skills

• Fluent in English, both verbal and written. Fluency in additional languages is a plus.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.

• Ability to respond diplomatically to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• Ability to write articles for various publications and audiences.

• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations.

Decision Making/Reasoning Ability

• Ability to coordinate projects with subject matter experts, committees, and key vendors.

• Ability to work collaboratively on cross-departmental projects.

• Ability to resolve problems with tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to work independently to complete projects, with little to no day-to-day supervision

• Ability to find solutions when addressing problems that present a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Additional Competencies

• Strong project management skills.

• Ability to develop new ideas and communicate them effectively to the appropriate stakeholders.

• Ability to deliver results in a timely manner.

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.

• This position entails a combination of in person meetings, on event site, and industry travel. As such, the physical demands change accordingly.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 80% of the time.

• Moves about inside and outside of the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, climbing gear, etc.

• Regularly operates a computer, telephone and other office productivity machinery such as calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

• Frequently communicates with internal and external customers.

• This position will require occasional lifting of equipment and materials.

• This position may require lifting, pulling, pushing, and twisting on uneven surfaces.

• This position requires extensive travel and attendance at ISA and other partner organization events.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Work requires weekend, United States holiday, and/or evening work.

• Works in outdoor weather conditions when at various ISA outdoor events.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

• Domestic and international travel is required.

Technology and Equipment

• Proficient Microsoft Office Suite Products

• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Ability to utilize database and online applications.