Urban Forestry Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Urban Forestry Fellow at City of San Diego

Location: Oakland, California

Number of Positions Available: 2

Time Commitment: September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027. Fellows in this position commit to a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, approximately 8AM - 4PM, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 170-340 of these hours are dedicated to professional development. 

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Fellowship, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 21, 2026 - Aug 13, 2027 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2026-27 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—with 170-340 dedicated hours for professional development and training, providing hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19.

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Program Benefits

City of San Diego offers a collaborative, mission-driven culture where team members receive hands-on mentorship, meaningful leadership opportunities, and strong professional development support. Fellows will have access to hundreds of online training resources, the ability to shadow Arborist, Project Assistant, Outreach Coordinator, or Project Manager positions, the opportunity to network with internal City department teams and local organizations, and the chance to gain leadership experience through hands-on tree-planting events and stewardship workshops to educate the public. Other benefits include:

• Receive a $35,250 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Receive $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
• Receive $300 in professional development funds
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

The City of San Diego's Urban Forestry Program aims to plant 200 trees and provide tree maintenance for thousands of existing trees in the right-of-way. Fellows will serve as project assistants, responsible for planning and executing community engagement activities and outreach events, with the potential to reach 600 residents. In the long term, we also aim to recruit passionate volunteers who will receive education and resources to become tree stewards. Fellows will aid City arborists in conducting tree inspections and quality management, and in evaluating street trees reported by the public for concerns such as public safety, infrastructure conflicts, or general tree health. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead volunteers in tree planting events on how to properly plant trees
• Plan and coordinate educational events, such as community forums, to promote the importance of urban forestry
• Recruit community members to become tree stewards through events, canvassing, and workshops
• Inspect and collect data during tree inspections and evaluations in the field
• Coordinate with local organizations and City departments to host events that share information on the benefits of trees
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 14, 2026
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 14, 2026
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs, and experience in community outreach, data/quantitative analysis, engaging with K-12 students, environmental education, event coordination & planning, GIS/mapping, marketing & social media, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, multi-stakeholder collaboration, project management, public speaking/facilitation, tree planting/care, and volunteer management & engagement. Access to a reliable vehicle and must possess a valid driver's license. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About The City of San Diego

The City of San Diego’s Urban Forestry Program's mission is to promote, plant, and protect trees for current residents and future generations. This program aims to increase the tree canopy through tree-planting initiatives, tree-protection, and sidewalk redesigns. This position provides an excellent opportunity to learn about tree-planting logistics, operations, maintenance, inspections, contractor oversight, and emergency procedures to keep the public safe during storm response. More info: www.sandiego.gov/transportation/urban-forestry

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. Interviews will take place May-Aug, with all positions filled by September 4, 2026. This is a competitive program, and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applicants can select up to 5 preferred positions within the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship application.