Tree Fellow

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: 02/01/2026  Compensation: $25/hour

PA IPL is launching Roots, Branches, and Hands, a multifaith capacity-building and resourcing program designed to support increasing tree canopy in communities that need more trees. The program has education, outreach, and project specific goals that span across the state and build on each other across a three year period. We are looking for 6 Tree Fellows to join us in 2026 for year long independent contractor positions to support the rollout of this program.

What is Roots, Branches, & Hands?

Building on the success of our PA Plants Native! program which distributed 250,000 native trees across Pennsylvania, we are launching a new program Roots Branches & Hands that seeks to strengthen faith-based and community participation in urban and community forestry efforts with a focus on areas with greatest need for protecting existing tree canopy and increasing it. Through community engagement, leadership training, and direct resourcing, we intend to distribute 50,000 native trees, support the design and installation of 5-10 community-led projects, and train 25 community tree leaders. This project will publicly launch in early 2026 and continue until the Summer of 2028.

Responsibilities/Duties

The Tree Fellow is a 12-month long contractor position supporting the Roots, Branches, & Hands program at PA IPL. Each fellow will work with our team to help support the following outcomes:

  • Leading regional outreach and engagement efforts
  • Delivering educational workshops
  • Providing support to learning cohorts
  • Conducting 1:1 meetings and site visits (virtual and in-person)
  • Coordinate people and groups in support of program outcomes
  • Convene regional events related to the program

Each Tree Fellow will collaborate with our Outreach Manager and Executive Director to design a quarterly workplan that supports the team work plan already in place which directly maps to necessary program outcomes. This collaborative approach to work planning allows us to leverage the skills of each unique Fellow, align on a scope of work that reflects regional realities and priorities, and ensure that responsibilities are achievable within the hours provided. This work plan will become the basis for your day-to-day expectations, be the grounding point for regular check-ins with staff, and serve as the baseline for final evaluation. 

Each Tree Fellow position is an average 20 hour/month position (240 hours over total contract) offering an hourly wage of $25/hour. Work can be performed remotely with a flexible schedule. The contract term (1099) begins February 1st, 2026 and continues through January 31st 2027. If additional funding is secured, there is a potential for additional hours through mutual negotiation. No other benefits are associated with this fellowship.

You will be joining a remote team of 5 employees who steward a large network of dedicated partners, congregations, and volunteers. We are committed to building a culture of support and belonging. Fellows can expect mentoring, training opportunities, and opportunities to further develop workforce and leadership skills in community urban forestry. We hope you will also bring your skills, training, and experiences to the program, ready to share with your peers and our team!
 

This job is remote with a flexible schedule set between you and your supervisor with some evening and weekend work anticipated. It is expected that you will be available for some meetings and work hours during standard business hours to sync with team schedules and calls. You will need to provide your own laptop and Wifi access. Minimal lifting may be required. Willingness to travel within Pennsylvania is required. Access to transportation is required, access to a car at times is ideal. Travel must be pre-approved and is reimbursable at the federal rate of $0.70/mile.

Qualifications/Requirements

Who is our ideal Tree Fellow?

  • You are a self starter. You can follow a plan, bring team spirit, ask for support when you need it, and jump right in and own your work.
  • You value faith based approaches to environmental challenges and solutions. You understand our role as a resource and convenor of community-led action. You resonate with our mission.
  • You love trees. And the people who plant, tend, and benefit from them. You’ve probably planted a tree or kept a garden before (or are eager to learn these skills).
  • You aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty. You are ready to roll up your sleeves, visit with communities and partners, and pick up the phone when you need to.
  • You love to learn. You are ready to increase your knowledge and share that knowledge with others in accessible and relatable ways that foster trust and mutual growth.

Residency Requirement:

  • Our ideal Tree Fellows reside in one of the sets of following counties, with the ability to travel to other counties in that regional set: 
  • Fellow 1: Allegheny, Somerset, Fayette, Washington
  • Fellow 2: Lancaster, Perry, Franklin, York, Cumberland, Dauphin
  • Fellow 3: Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Centre, Bedford
  • Fellow 4: Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware
  • Fellow 5: Lehigh, Northampton, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Pike, Monroe, Carbon
  • Fellow 6: Jefferson, Clearfield, Indiana, Forest, Clarion, Elk, Erie

We encourage you to still consider applying if you reside outside these counties but are willing to commute to one (or more) of these sets. We will be prioritizing applications from individuals residing within our regional sets. We are unable to consider applications from individuals residing outside of Pennsylvania at this time.

Decision Making Process:

  • Applications Open: December 19th, 2025
  • Priority Deadline: January 5th, 2026
  • Interviews Begin: January 12th, 2026
  • Fellowships Begin: February 1, 2026

Fellowships at PA IPL have historically been offered to undergraduate and master students only. This Fellowship program does not have this requirement. People across the lifespan and with various work and life experiences are encouraged to apply. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications or experiences in a position description. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their application by 10PM on January 5th. 

Only candidates who meet criteria will be contacted to proceed to an interview. An interview offer does not constitute a Fellowship position offer. Applications will remain open on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Questions related to this fellowship position should be directed to info@paipl.org. No phone calls.

Additional Information

How to Apply: Interested applicants should complete our Fellowship application form found here: https://forms.gle/44Z3mv982DxRWaVJ9 

Please be sure to answer all questions, include an up-to-date resume, and provide reference contacts (1 professional and 1 community). A cover letter (written, video, or audio) may be submitted, but it is not required. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The use of ChatGPT or other AI generative software to prepare your answers is strongly discouraged.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

About PA IPL:

Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light (PA IPL) inspires and mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change in Pennsylvania and Delaware. We educate, we conserve, we advocate, and we organize towards futures that include all of us. You can learn more about us here.

Contact Information

Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light
Contact Name: K Ruth
Email: info@paipl.org
Website: Apply Online