Host: City of Redmond
Region: Washington
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Mitigation, Ecosystem / Habitat Conservation / Biodiversity Protection, Urban Planning
Skills Needed: Project Management, Relationship Management, Community Outreach, Tree Planting / Care,

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid – Staff are in the office 3 days per week, and hybrid 2 days. Laptops are provided for home work.

Service Needs & Plans

During the fellowship year, the Fellow will support multiple initiatives to grow Redmond’s tree canopy, including: 1) the development and implementation of a residential tree giveaway program; 2) implementation of the Tree Canopy Strategic Plan and the newly adopted Climate Resiliency and Sustainability in Vegetation Management strategy; and 3) community outreach and engagement efforts around urban forestry, including support of community tree planting events.

The CivicSpark Fellow will work with the Parks Planning Division in the Parks and Recreation Department at the City of Redmond. Urban forestry is a top community priority and supports multiple strategic planning efforts, including the comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, which guides Redmond’s path to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 and improve the health of its natural resources.

Project Description

The Fellow will support implementation of the City’s tree canopy programming, including:

• Residential Tree Giveaway Program. The Fellow will lead the development and implementation of a residential tree giveaway program. Expanding tree canopy on residential properties is a critical strategy as the City works to achieve 40% canopy coverage by 2050. This is a new initiative at the City with dedicated budget to develop and launch a giveaway program. This initiative will be a key priority for the Fellow.

• Strategic Plan Implementation: The City has adopted multiple plans to guide the strategic growth the Redmond’s tree canopy, including the Tree Canopy Strategic Plan and the Climate Resiliency and Sustainability in Vegetation Management plan. The Fellow will support implementation of key actions identified in both plans to advance progress towards tree canopy goals.

• Urban Forestry Outreach and Engagement. The Fellow will support urban forestry outreach and engagement efforts including Green Redmond Partnership event coordination. Outreach strategies will include both online, social media, as well as in-person planting events. The prospective Fellow will play a leading role in engaging the Redmond community around urban forestry efforts.

The ideal Fellow will be self-starters and be able to complete complicated tasks while also understanding when to ask for help. They should also be passionate and able to face hard problems and take on daunting challenges.

Desired Skills

The ideal Fellow will have strong outreach, communication, and organizational skills. They will be self-starters and be able to complete complicated tasks while also understanding when to ask for help. They should also be passionate and able to face hard problems and take on daunting challenges.

Organization & Workplace Highlights

This Fellowship will be based at Redmond City Hall and will have the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule. The City of Redmond is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which will be a core tenant in the design and implementation of the tree giveaway program. Working as a Fellow with the City of Redmond provides great professional development experience and connects Fellows with other key partners in the region.

At the City of Redmond, we build community through people, parks, arts, recreation, and conservation. Our sustainable parks are comprised of over 1,351 acres of land, 47 parks, and a collection of 39 miles of public trails. We serve all ages, abilities, and interests through innovative classes and services offered at our facilities and community centers. We integrate unique art and cultural experiences into the activities, interactions, and events that weave our community together. People in Redmond explore our parks, play at our centers, and connect with their neighbors and friends.

Community Highlights

The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community and home to over 78,000 residents. Redmond is the hub to an array of commerce and industry ranging from technology, aerospace and gaming to biomedical and innovation start-ups.

The City of Redmond is located in the scenic and economically important region between the Cascade mountain range and the Puget Sound, at the north end of Lake Sammamish. Redmond is approximately 17 square miles and lies 15 miles east of Seattle and is the terminus of SR 520. The city boasts a high quality of life, good schools, a healthy economic base, a robust park system providing multiple active and passive recreational activities, diverse options for shopping and dining, safe neighborhoods, and a balance for quality development while protecting the natural environment.