Arborist

City of El Paso•Various Locations within the City of El Paso, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction, supervise and perform activities related to urban tree management. This role involves developing, implementing, and directing plans, strategies, and programs for the community's urban forestry needs. It includes overseeing the acquisition, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees on City-owned property and rights-of-way, as well as operating and maintaining facilities like greenhouses and tree farms. The position also focuses on devising methods for insect and disease control, investigating and correcting hazardous tree conditions, and ensuring projects are aesthetically pleasing and safe by applying arboricultural and horticultural principles. Additionally, the role involves administering and ensuring compliance with street median maintenance contracts, reviewing contract documents, monitoring contractors, and conducting site visits. The Arborist provides recommendations to developers, contractors, city departments, and the public, reviews plats and site plans for ordinance compliance, and responds to public inquiries. A key aspect is supervising assigned staff, including scheduling, assigning work, conducting training, and enforcing personnel rules. Miscellaneous duties include performing subordinate tasks to maintain operations, developing tree inventory data, preparing reports, reviewing agricultural literature, and coordinating volunteer tree projects.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree or higher in Urban Forestry, Forestry, Horticulture or a related field.
Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the design and management of forestry programs or tree planting and maintenance project management.
Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent from another state.

Nice To Haves

International Society of Arborists (ISA) certification within six (6) months of appointment.
Texas Pesticide Applicators License within six (6) months of appointment.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement and direct plans, strategies and programs related to the urban forestry needs of the community.
Plan, develop, and direct the implementation of an Urban Forestry Plan.
Direct activities related to acquisition, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees on City-owned property and right of ways.
Oversee and participate in planting, pruning, watering and fertilizing plants, flowers, shrubs, hedges and trees.
Operate and maintain facilities such as greenhouses and tree farms.
Devise methods of detection, eradication and control of detrimental insects and plant disease.
Investigate and correct hazardous tree conditions.
Coordinate projects to ensure results are aesthetically pleasing by ensuring that suitable principles and practices of arboriculture, horticulture, construction and irrigation are applied.
Ensure public safety around work sites.
Administer and ensure compliance with street median maintenance and service related contracts.
Review contract documents for competitive bidding and procurement of services.
Monitor contractors and enforce compliance to contract provisions.
Conduct site visits and review contract for compliance.
Perform on-site monitoring and prepare reports on findings, concerns and recommendations.
Conduct follow-up on findings and concerns.
Maintain records related to maintenance and service contracts.
Provide arboricultural recommendations to developers, contractors, city departments and the public.
Review preliminary and final plats, associated documents, and site plans to ensure compliance with City landscape and tree ordinance.
Perform field work including pre-development site analysis, pre-construction meetings with contractors, developers, water and sewer representatives, and other concerned parties.
Respond to public inquiries and explain City rules, regulations, policies and procedures in courteous and tactful manner.
Encourage owners of private residences and commercial properties to maintain trees.
Schedule, assign, and review work.
Conduct employee training and development.
Train personnel in tree and landscape maintenance.
Enforce personnel rules and regulations, standards of conduct, work attendance, and safe work practices.
Perform any duties and responsibilities of subordinates or coworkers sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations.
Develop and maintain tree inventory date and prepare work programs.
Oversee and personally engaging in preparation of reports, records and studies.
Review pertinent agricultural literature.
Coordinate volunteer tree-related work projects.