ISA Southern Chapter
Executive director search
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The Southern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (hereafter “the Chapter”) is a professional membership organization, first organized in 1937 to improve the practice of tree care and maintenance; to stimulate appreciation for the value of shade and ornamental trees throughout the Chapter’s service area and to promote the programs and mission of the International Society of Arboriculture (hereafter “ISA”). Membership in the Chapter is open to individuals engaged in commercial, municipal, and utility arboriculture as well as those working in research, Extension, government agencies, and related fields. The Chapter fulfills its mission to its members by offering a wide variety of opportunities, including continuing education programs, arborist certification examinations (in association with ISA, the actual certifying agency), awards, scholarships, workshops, and a widely attended annual conference. The Chapter represents members working in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as a network of at-large members.
ABOUT THE ROLE: The Chapter’s volunteer Board of Directors is searching for a new Executive Director (hereafter “ED”), to follow the planned retirement of the incumbent this summer, after an eight-year term of service. This role is an independent contractor position, and neither the Chapter nor the ED shall serve as a partner or employee of the other party. The ED will be responsible for coordinating all Chapter activities and shall serve as its prime administrator, public leader, and spokesperson. The ED will provide guidance to the Board of Directors and its standing committees, and will direct a team of independent contractors and volunteers to manage ongoing routine operations, as well as key programs and events, including an annual membership conference, the Chapter’s Tree Climbing Championship, educational workshops, and accreditation credit processing on behalf of ISA.
COMPENSATION: Starting compensation will be based on applicant’s qualifications and experience, benchmarked against comparable organizations within the green industry sector. The Board-approved compensation range will be between $82,000 and $105,000 per year at the time of engagement; no exceptions will be made to this range. As an independent contractor, the ED will not receive additional financial, healthcare, or retirement benefits from the Chapter. The ED will be fully reimbursed for expenses required to complete responsibilities upon presentation of receipts and invoices to the Executive Committee.
SEARCH TIMELINE: Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2026. Rating, screening, ranking and initial phone interviews will run through May 15, 2026. Three to five finalists will be interviewed in person by the Board of Directors on June 8, 2026, at ISA Headquarters in Atlanta. An offer will be extended to the selected candidate by June 15, 2026. The selected candidate will begin service on or around July 15, 2026.
TO APPLY: This search is being facilitated by Nonprofit Management Advisor J. Eric Smith, supporting a volunteer search committee comprised of professional arborists from within the greater ISA network. Resumes and cover letters must be sent to Mr. Smith. Cover letters should explicitly explain how the applicant meets the key criteria of the position description, and why this position is of interest to the applicant. Resumes submitted without cover letters will not be considered. All candidate communications through the search process will be channeled through the search consultant, usually via email. Unsolicited phone calls regarding the search made to current Chapter Board members or contractors will not be accepted, and will be considered detrimental to the applicants’ chances of securing the ED role.