Senior Associate, Outreach and Administration

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The Challenge

Take our "green" NGO to a new level! Our all-volunteer organization that is expanding DC tree canopy along Washington DC's historic Embassy Row, faces new challenges.

For eleven years, Restore Mass Ave (www.restoremassave.org) has planted trees and organized tree and landscape care along the historic two miles of Massachusetts Avenue NW known as Embassy Row. Our mission is to regrow the elegant, shady landscape of this major commuter street, which is also the last "Grand Avenue" of its type in the nation. To date we have added some 400 new trees and arranged care for ~1,000 trees. Canopy has increased by an amazing 13.2% but must expand more to meet our and the city's goals.

The Executive Associate (Senior Associate for Outreach & Administration) is key in managing the work flow of our small organization. RMA consists of a volunteer Board of Directors and also Associates who help in their areas of expertise. The Senior Associate works with the President and Board to plan meetings and events, and may take on special projects as desired. The Senior Associate can also choose to be RMA's 'ambassador' to one or more stakeholder friends of the organization - such as an embassy, city agency or the State Department.

In coming months, we'll advance design of our proposed Dupont Tree Plaza, a "storm water retrofit" for a bare city sidewalk, so it will become a shady community space . We also will work with the city's planned Big Dig of ~1 mile of Embassy Row that will impact old trees and add new ones. We've been awarded one grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust G3 program for the Dupont Tree Plaza and a second from National Trust for Historic Preservation to monitor the Mass Ave "rehabilitation."

This Senior Associate position is a resume-builder! Some specifics:

Tasks - External

• Represent RMA to current and prospective partners, including embassies, local organizations, and neighbors; raise participation by forging selected new relationships.
• Manage outreach with stakeholders and volunteers related to RMA initiatives, including tree planting and care. (See photo of tree planting at Korea Cultural Center.)
• Assist with selected events such as tree tours and donor receptions.

Tasks - Internal

• Coordinate projects, including monitoring action items and managing timeline.
• Assist President and Board with managing new projects while advancing RMA’s core program of tree planting and care.
• Schedule and circulate materials for meetings of the Board, which are usually every month. Attend virtually or in person when practical.
• Maintain organization’s confidential database of contacts & donors.

Skills required:

• Able to engage others in the vision and work of the organization.
• Takes initiative. Organized, forward-thinking, deadline-driven.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Mature. Good track record with one or more small organizations.
• Diplomatic and timely in communications.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Able to work independently and consistently. Great followup.
• Strong computer skills. (Submit samples)

Skills preferred, not required:

• International background or strong interest. Engaging with non-Americans is key to our effectiveness.
• Some knowledge of trees and/or environmental issues, such as college credits, extracurricular activities, or present or past jobs.
• Fluent with data management and posting on social media.

Where/What/When:

Hours: Days and times are flexible but position requires 3 hours/week on average. The Associate may occasionally have a meeting with an official or other stakeholder during working-hours.

Compensation: This is an unpaid volunteer position which offers tremendous career benefits in networking and experience gained. We give glowing references for our successful volunteers.

Location: The Senior Associate must live and/or work in the DC Metro area near Dupont Circle/Embassy Row/Mass Ave Heights. The Associate should be easily able to visit Mass Ave to view trees, be familiar with embassy and US clients, and visit RMA headquarters.

Required - Have fun!

All members of the RMA family are welcome to our events -- outdoor Treekeeping sessions, info tables at community events, meetings, briefings and parties.

Volunteering with RMA is a great way to meet others working to make DC greener and network with people at all levels concerned with the global environment.