Job Opportunity: ArbNet Leader at The Morton Arboretum

[Colleen Emrick]

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit public garden dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. The Arboretum founded ArbNet — the global, interactive network of arboreta and tree-focused professionals — in 2011. ArbNet facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their institutional goals and works to raise professional standards through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. ArbNet is an award winning initiative that has grown considerably in its programmatic scope and global reach. We seek a highly motivated, innovative professional to lead ArbNet into its second decade. This person will oversee the entire ArbNet program, from staff supervision to strategic planning and the creation and implementation of new programs and initiatives. This is an incredible opportunity for an emerging leader in the public garden community to influence and advance the cause of arboreta globally. This is a senior role based at The Morton Arboretum, with the opportunity to work closely with the Arboretum’s leadership team as well as directors and program leaders from arboreta around the world.

Position Summary: Manage, grow, and promote ArbNet—the global interactive network of arboreta—founded and led by The Morton Arboretum. ArbNet programs include the Morton Register of Arboreta, The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program, the BGCI/ArbNet Partnership Programme, and other ArbNet projects and initiatives that advance the goals and professionalism of the global arboretum community. Manage all aspects of ArbNet including strategic planning, programming,  arboretum network support and growth, and budget management. Lead efforts to continually improve how ArbNet operates, the information and services it provides, and how best to reach its key audiences and stakeholders. 

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for overseeing the daily management of ArbNet, including supervising staff, ensuring programs are operating at the highest standard, building and maintaining relationships with new arboreta and tree-focused networks, developing new resources and programming opportunities, and improving ArbNet processes and procedures for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Lead and implement strategic planning for the growth of ArbNet, exploring new opportunities to support and build the global arboretum community.

• Work closely with The Morton Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program and Chicago Region Trees Initiative to advance two strategic priority areas for ArbNet: 1) tree conservation and establishing/supporting arboreta in global biodiversity hotspots and 2) arboretum-led urban and community forestry.

• Work in concert with other Arboretum staff members within the realm of the Science and Conservation, Collections, Learning and Engagement, and other program areas to ensure unity of goals and strategies that advance both ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum’s strategic plan.

• Ensure up-to-date, relevant resources and information to support the growth and learning of the global arboretum community.

• Generate sustainable growth of ArbNet through innovative ways to create revenue through ArbNet services and programming, secure grant funding and corporate sponsorship, and pursue other opportunities as appropriate.

• Build the global community of arboreta through organizing and attending networking events, conferences, site visits, and training workshops. Represent ArbNet at national and international conferences, meetings, and through various media channels.

• Supervise the ArbNet Coordinator. Supervisory duties include scheduling and job assignments, performance feedback, recognition, and staff development and training, as well as recruitment and selection as needed, in keeping with the Arboretum’s policies and procedures.

• Other duties as required.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in plant sciences, horticulture, environmental science, environmental education, or related field required. 5+ years of related work experience required, or a combination of a higher degree or related certification plus relevant work experience. Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of public gardens and arboreta required. Supervisory experience, as well as experience leading diverse teams of people, required. Program or project management experience required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Fluency in language(s) other than English beneficial.

Success Factors: Ability to maintain a professional, courteous, and enthusiastic presence with both internal and external audiences. Ability to maintain many meaningful, inclusive relationships with a diversity of stakeholders, and to understand the needs and values of many collaborators. Innovative thinker, with an ability to horizon scan for new opportunities to advance program goals. Actively seeks out opportunities for collaboration with other staff and external partners, including liaising with senior leadership at arboreta around the world. Confident and engaging public speaker and communicator. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications beneficial. Ability to learn and evaluate new technology and digital tools when appropriate. Ability to weigh decisions, establish priorities, and set goals for self and team members. Ability to embrace and align with the organization’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning, and make the Arboretum exceptional.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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 these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: May require some physical activity: walking over uneven terrain, bending, limited lifting and carrying. Requires some local, national, and potentially international travel.

• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors. This position is designated as a hybrid-eligible position, allowing for some work to be performed off premise, during regular hours of work.

• Equipment: General office equipment.

To apply, visit: https://mortonarb.org/join-support/employment/

For full consideration, please include resume and cover letter with application.

All Arboretum employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of that status in order to maintain their employment.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion of diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment. 

[Colleen Emrick]

UDPATE: This position is closed. We are no longer accepting any applications.

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