Seasonal Forest Host - Santa Cruz

Job Title

Part Time Seasonal Forest Host - Santa Cruz Forest
Company Name

Better Place Forests
Company Description

At Better Place Forests, we view death not as an ending, but as a profound continuation of the cycle of life. We offer a serene and natural way to memorialize a loved one—by placing their ashes within the beauty of protected forests. Nature has a way of bringing peace, offering not only comfort but a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves. Better Place Forests inspires people to celebrate life with the joy and renewal that nature inspires. Join us in providing compassionate care during some of life’s most poignant moments.
Job Location

A Forest Setting in Los Gatos, CA 95033
Wages

This is a part time hourly position at $30 an hour, for a range of 5-15 hours a week.
Job Overview

Seasonal Forest Hosts engage with customers, guiding individuals through their experience in the forest, from choosing a Memorial Tree to enjoying the natural surroundings. Ideal candidates thrive in outdoor, fast-paced environments, balancing sales, marketing, memorials, and forest care. With empathy, strong communication, and attention to detail, Forest Hosts help create meaningful experiences and support our mission to protect nature and serve our customers.

Impact
• Deliver exceptional in-person experiences, showcasing the beauty and purpose of our Memorial Forests to customers and their visitors.
• Provide compassionate support to grieving people during Forest Visits and Forest Memorials, ensuring a comforting and meaningful experience.
• Support the organization’s growth and success by contributing to team efforts to drive sales and improve productivity.

Key Responsibilities
• You will:
• Provide exceptional experiences for all forest visitors, welcoming them with kindness, professionalism, and genuine curiosity.
• Facilitate Forest Memorials with compassion, honoring the nature of the work and accommodating diverse beliefs and group dynamics.
• Guide or assist guests through the process of choosing Memorial Trees and spreading ashes to create meaningful experiences.
• Educate people on Better Place offerings, effectively communicating the benefits of our products and services.
• Learn and utilize skills to communicate with empathy and support grieving individuals in emotionally sensitive situations.
• Complete administrative documentation using internal tools.
• Support forest upkeep, including tree health checks, inventory audits, trail safety, preparing Memorial Trees for visits, and installing Memorial Markers.
• Maintain facilities, restrooms, and equipment to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.
• Uphold safety guidelines for staff, visitors, and the forest.
• Support an irregular schedule with required weekend working hours from May - October, including 5-30 hours per week based on operational needs.
• Participate in meaningful and sacred work, supporting individuals and ensuring the forest remains a place of healing and connection.

Your Skills and Qualities
• You are:
• Self-sufficient and a collaborative team player.
• Compassionate, communicative, and organized.
• Open to feedback and able to learn quickly.
• Able to offer professional kindness in a variety of high-touch situations.
• Able to collaborate and provide an excellent customer experience with customers and distributed team members.
• Comfortable speaking regularly and candidly to people who may be grieving or nearing death. (Training will be provided.)
• Comfortable holding space and communicating with people of diverse backgrounds (race, religion/faith, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Comfortable with handling the cremated remains of humans and pets.
• Passionate about nature and conservation, and comfortable working outdoors in remote areas in various weather conditions using appropriate gear.
• Growth-oriented and solution-focused.
• Adaptable and willing to shift plans to support an individual or group.
• Able to stand, bend, stoop, twist, lift up to 45 pounds, and hike or walk on uneven terrain for extended periods.
• Comfortable learning and using digital tools and systems.
• Able to drive a Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV) safely (training provided) A valid driver's license is required.

You have:
• Experience in customer-facing roles with a proven ability to deliver exceptional service. Sales experience is a plus, but not required.
• The ability to speak confidently to both large and small groups, engaging and holding attention.
• Emotional intelligence with experience in managing group dynamics.
• The ability to thrive in fast-paced, startup environments, managing constraints and adapting to evolving circumstances.

Why Join Us?

At Better Place Forests, you’ll have the opportunity to create lasting legacies while preserving the natural world. Join a mission-driven team that values compassion, innovation, and connection.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply today and help others create a meaningful end-of-life experience deeply rooted in nature.

Created at 2025-02-03 22:37:11

Updated at 2025-02-03 22:48:56

Location: In-office (Los Gatos, CA);
About Better Place Forests:

At Better Place Forests, we see death not as an ending but as a profound continuation of the cycle of life. We offer a serene and natural way to memorialize a loved one—within the beauty of protected forests. Nature has a way of bringing peace, offering not just comfort but a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves. Better Place Forests inspires families and individuals to celebrate life with the joy and renewal that nature inspires. Join us in providing compassionate care during some of life’s most poignant moments.

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