Forest Health Coordinator

Forest Health Coordinator

The Holden Arboretum

Exempt, Full-Time

Opportunity :

HF&G is seeking a Forest Health Coordinator for the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative.

The long-term objective of the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative (GLBFHC) is to expand and accelerate the identification, production, and planting of pest-resistant trees to provide improved seed sources for restoration plantings by public and private landowners across the Great Lakes basin. The GLBFHC coordinator works collaboratively with the U.S. Forest Service to support participatory resistance-breeding activities for tree species threatened by insects and diseases (including ash, elm, hemlock, and beech) with the goal of restoring affected areas in the region.

The coordinator's primary mission is to facilitate the growth of resistance-breeding programs by serving as a liaison between research and on-the-ground implementation among a wide array of partners (state and municipal agencies, NGOs, private landowners, citizen groups, tribal nations, and universities). Responsibilities include raising awareness of resistance breeding and its value in managing invasive pests, recruiting partners to participate in all phases of the breeding process, and providing training based on protocols developed and validated through research.

Position Details :

• Exempt, Full-Time position
• Grant funded position through December 2026 with the potential for renewal

The coordinator must understand all phases of a breeding program which include :

The coordinator is responsible for facilitating the creation of Regional Breeding Networks among Collaborative members that in some cases may require finding new partners or contractors to fill gaps in skillsets or necessary infrastructure to carry out all aspects of a breeding program. The coordinator will work with the breeding networks to identify funding sources, write grants and / or find a partner or FS researcher to consult. Members of a breeding network may play different roles in the breeding process but work together to create a complete pipeline from identifying resistant trees to installing test plantings, to achieve the common goal of developing an improved genetically diverse seed orchard appropriate for restoration plantings in a specific, defined region within the southern Great Lakes Basin. Multiple Regional Breeding Networks will be necessary to cover the range of each species over the long term.

Key Responsibilities of the Forest Health Coordinator include but are not limited to :

Position Summary :

Qualifications and Skills :

A master's degree will substitute for two years of experience.

Working Conditions

Some of the reasons Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) is a great place to work!

Paid Time Off | 8 Paid Holidays a year | Work in a beautiful environment within Greater Cleveland | Discounts in our stores & cafes | Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open | Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums | Free Employee Assistance Program | And Much More!

Apply :

Qualified applicants should submit CV, cover letter explaining why they want to work at Holden Forests & Gardens & highlighting your experience in public horticulture, gardens, or landscaping , and contact information for 3 professional references.

Holden Forests & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and values an authentic sense of belonging at all levels of the organization, including staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and visitors. HF&G believes that working toward an equitable culture that values all perspectives enriches the work environment, helping achieve our goal to build a greener and healthier Northeast Ohio. We are working to create and sustain a supportive environment and sense of belonging for people of all backgrounds. HF&G promotes an equitable approach in its hiring, retention, and promotion; in Board recruitment efforts; and in community partnerships and programming.