Arborist

Prospect Park Alliance, Inc • New York, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arborist is responsible for implementing and assisting in the long-term care of the approximately 30,000 trees in Prospect Park and all aspects of the commemorative tree program. The Arborist manages forested lands for conservation, recreational, and economic purposes, devises plans for planting and maintaining new trees, monitors and plans for healthy growth and IPM, and conducts tree assessments. The Arborist coordinates and supervises tree service contracts and supervises the Seasonal Tree Care Technician and Tree Planters.

Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other relevant discipline with one (1) year or three (3) years’ experience respectively in landscape or forestry management in a public park setting; or five years’ experience in lieu of a degree
• A valid NYS Driver’s License
• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist
• 1-2 years of climbing experience.

Nice To Haves

• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification preferred or obtained within the first year
• A valid NYS CDL Driver’s License preferred

Responsibilities

• Perform and prioritize advanced professional arboricultural functions in the field and office, such as general tree inspections, disease ID and treatment, storm damage clean up, and pruning needs and schedules.
• Supervise and hire employees and volunteers involved in professional forestry activities, by prioritizing forest needs, setting work schedules, approving time off requests, and filling out timesheets of the seasonal PPA employees in Paylocity.
• Coordinate forestry work in Prospect Park with the NYC Parks Brooklyn Forestry team.
• Compile and manage treecare contracts, including tree maintenance, integrated pest management, pruning and removals.
• Oversee the work of contractors in the park and maintain records on contract budget and payments.
• Document all work on trees in Prospect Park in a database and pull reports from that database.
• Work with Alliance staff to undertake tree work (e.g., pruning, removal, and clearing of storm damage) safely and effectively with the support of Prospect Park Alliance crews as needed.
• Create and implement measures to support key specimen trees, including decompaction, fencing, mulching, fertilization or other soil amendments, and other interventions.
• Remove snow and perform other emergency response activities throughout the park as assigned.
• Conduct surveys of trees in designated areas in alignment with the NYC Parks TIVR system and in coordination with PPA’s Design and Construction team.
• Remove hazards in the park and/or mitigate hazardous situations.
• Assist crews from LMO and M&O when necessary for emergencies, special events, or special projects.
• Identify planting sites while incorporating historic design, ecological, and horticultural standards.
• Research, order, tag, and arrange delivery of B&B and container trees for spring and fall planting in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Coordinate, deliver, and plant between 20 and 50 donors per year, including replacing dead donor trees.
• Hire and serve as supervisor of tree planter during tree planting season.
• Maintain young trees in the landscape by monitoring, watering, pruning, fencing, and removing trees if necessary.
• Maintain and update a database of planted trees with locations and donor information, and respond to inquiries from the public or from colleagues.
• Operate vehicles (e.g., truck, utility vehicle, tractor, skid steer), power equipment (e.g., chainsaw, string trimmer, mower, water pump, wood chipper, and hedge trimmer), and various hand tools in a safe manner.
• Keep an inventory of tools and equipment, and communicate with the supervisor about additional tool and equipment needs.
• Maintain vehicles, tools, equipment, and shared workspaces as per standards set out by supervisor; communicate issues with vehicle, tool, and equipment safety to supervisor as they arise.
• Travel to various parts of the Park as needed to carry out duties.
• Promote understanding and awareness about park trees to the public, to park employees, and to other entities by creating educational materials and through public speaking.
• Coordinate, track, lead, and document work completed by volunteers and interns in Prospect Park.
• Interact with the public to help resolve issues, provide information, and answer general park questions.
• Performs other job-related duties and functions as assigned.

Benefits

• 20 Vacation Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Supplemental: Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits, AFLAC & Pet Insurance
• 403b Contributions + 2% Employer Contribution

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager