Job Detail
Operations and Governance Coordinator
Location: remote
Salary: $50,000
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (“TREE Fund”) is a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization established in 2002 for the benefit of urban and community forests, and the
professionals who care for them, on a global basis. TREE Fund was founded by and is closely aligned
with the International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) and the Tree Care Industry Association
(TCIA). TREE Fund is governed by a 15- member national Board of Trustees. Its mission is to support
scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban
forestry. TREE Fund’s mission-based goals and objectives are met primarily through its fundraising
for and administration of competitive grant programs for research, education, and scholarships to
advance the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry. In addition, TREE Fund works to build and
sustain an endowment that will support long-term research projects in a stable and perpetual
fashion; the endowment is professionally managed by Chicago Community Trust (CCT). TREE Fund’s
legal home is in Naperville, Illinois, but the organization currently operates virtually, employing
four staff professionals currently located in Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio. The organization is also
supported by independent contractors and volunteers. TREE Fund’s principal community engagement and
fundraising event is an annual 400+ mile, five-day cycling event called the Tour des Trees, which
is staged in a different market around the country each year. See www.treefund.org for more
information about the organization.
ABOUT THIS POSITION: The Operations and Governance Coordinator is a new position established
following an internal reorganization. This important role is intended to provide professional
support of and coordination for TREE Fund’s Board of Trustees, President/CEO, staff members,
partners, contractors, agents, and volunteers. As a member of a small team, the Coordinator will
have the opportunity to learn multiple nonprofit functions and contribute meaningfully to the
mission of TREE Fund.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Operations and Governance Coordinator will work regularly
with TREE Fund’s various constituencies, working to ensure that routine operations and
administrative functions are fulfilled in a timely fashion and in compliance with all applicable
office policies, legal requirements, and nonprofit best business practices. Additionally, the
Operations and Governance Coordinator will work closely with the Board of Trustees in a de facto
Board Secretary role, ensuring that the Trustees are able to focus fully on their crucial
governance function with consistent and conscientious administrative support. Areas of
responsibility include:
Office Operations
o Facilitate bill payments (e.g. process, code and enter invoices for payment, distribute credit
card statements to staff to confirm balances and submit receipts, support timely and accurate data
entry by third-party accounting firm, etc.).
o Maintain policy and procedure files.
o Support annual audit preparation.
o Prepare and submit annual state charitable solicitation renewals.
o Process donation deposits and allocate to proper accounts.
o Serve as administrator for organizational electronic systems, including phones, working closely
with third-party technical support provider.
o Monitor and respond to TREE Fund phone, website, and e-mail inquiries.
o Process and/or distribute mail as necessary.
Governance Support
o Schedule board, standing committee, and ad hoc committee meetings, ensuring required
videoconferencing system invitations are distributed in a timely and accurate fashion.
o Assist board and committee chairs by preparing meeting agendas, creating and distributing meeting
materials, taking notes, and preparing and distributing minutes.
o Arrange logistics for at least two annual in-person board and committee meetings, e.g. hotel and
meeting room reservations, meal arrangements, etc.
o Maintain trustee and committee contact lists.
o Distribute trustee orientation materials for new members.
Support for President/CEO and Other Staff
o Maintain central office calendar and assist with scheduling and travel logistics
o Schedule weekly staff meetings, create agendas and prepare staff task lists.
o Assist with record keeping and reporting, to include maintaining organized online file storage
systems for all staff.
o Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
o A full embrace of TREE Fund’s mission and a willingness to serve faithfully on its behalf.
o At least two years of experience in office administration, and at least one year experience
working in a decentralized/remote office arrangement.
o Strong working knowledge of and facility with common Microsoft Office suite systems (e.g. Word,
Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) and an ability to document meetings in a quick, accurate and timely
fashion.
o Associate’s Degree in a relevant field.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
o Nonprofit organizational experience, especially related to working with volunteer boards.
o Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or in a field related to TREE Fund’s mission.
o Familiarity with key players and organizations in arboriculture, urban forestry, or other green
industries.
More information and application instructions: Our Team – TREE Fund
Applications will be accepted until position is filled, with priority given to applications received by November 22, 2023.
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