Assistant City Forester

City of Boulder • Boulder, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Under limited direction, provides supervision to the Foresters in support of Forestry programs to maintain public trees, primarily in city parks and street rights-of-way, to provide a safe environment, reduce liability, and maximize the services provided by the urban tree canopy. Forestry programs include but are not limited to arborist licensing, asset management, commercial trees, development review, education/outreach, enforcement, integrated pest management, planting and establishment, rotational pruning for city parks and public street rights-of-way trees, tree removals, and tree risk assessment. Works collaboratively to implement, evaluate, and assist with the development of Forestry programs plans, policies, annual budget, projects, and management practices, consistent with Urban Forest Strategic Plan goals. Delivers professional field work, technical expertise and contractor management to support the maintenance and stewardship of urban trees, provides design, consultation and construction oversight to preserve trees on projects, provides exceptional customer service to community residents, and performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.

Requirements

• Ability to identify urban tree species common to the Front Range of Colorado.
• Ability and previous experience managing contractors performing all types of tree maintenance including technical tree pruning and removals, planting, pesticide applications, watering, and tree grate repair and installation.
• Ability to diagnose and manage tree insect and disease issues common to Colorado Front Range; ability to implement Integrated Pest Management and plant health care programs.
• Ability to schedule and organize work using latitude in determining approach.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, departments, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to review and evaluate landscape and engineering designs with emphasis on tree protection standards.
• Ability to write effective reports, prepare and deliver technical presentations, and to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, including the ability to deal courteously with the public.
• Ability to provide effective customer service.
• Ability to provide effective management, including ability to model a collaborative, respect-based supervisory style and to develop and mentor employees.
• Abilit to demonstrate excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to resolve problems and provide information to the public in a responsive, professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to plan work activities, to give and receive verbal instructions, and prioritize and coordinate work of others using latitude in determining approach and to provide feedback to direct reports, coworkers, volunteers and non-regular employees for the continuous improvement of operations.
• Knowledge of arboricultural practices, proper urban tree management and tree risk assessment.
• Knowledge and ability to perform technical arboricultural field operations including planting, small tree pruning, tree risk management, and to utilize the basic equipment common to arboricultural operations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, ArcMap and asset management software programs.
• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to lead field technicians, contractors, and/or volunteers.
• Advanced degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources or a related field
• Ability to obtain relevant certifications within 9 months of hire: International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certification ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional Traffic control technician certification Colorado Pesticide Applicators Qualified Supervisor license with the Ornamental Category through the state of Colorado CPR, AED and First Aid certification

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively to implement, evaluate, and assist with the development of the Forestry programs plans, policies, annual budget, projects, and management practices, consistent with Urban Forest Strategic Plan goals.
• Provides strategic forestry guidance in city planning processes, design and construction standards, the Landscape Manual, and project designs to support Urban Forest Strategic Plan goals.
• Collaborates on fiscal management of the Forestry budget and purchasing processes, including budget development and proposals and purchasing oversight; pursues grant opportunities related to program goals.
• Works collaboratively as a team to develop annual workplans and implement best management practices and policies to accomplish Forestry goals.
• Collaborates on the monitoring and evaluation of Forestry programs to ensure that public safety and tree health goals are met.
• Prepares and presents annual reports and summaries of Forestry maintenance and programs to document trends and activities for public trees.
• Builds strategic partnerships and serves as a liaison to other city departments, outside agencies and community groups, representing the workgroup, department and City.
• Contributes to the leadership direction of the department.
• Supervises and supports the Foresters, including hiring, scheduling, training, evaluation, and conflict resolution.
• Manages the recruitment, selection, training, supervision and evaluation of regular and non-regular Forestry staff, student interns, and volunteers.
• Conducts performance evaluations, sets individual performance goals, provides coaching, feedback, and evaluation for the Foresters, including performance that does not meet city standards, as well as manages conflict resolution.
• Develops and implements annual work plans for the Foresters; provides program oversight to ensure compliance with safety and industry standards.
• Inspires, motivates, and guides others toward goal accomplishment; consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships as a team member and develops highly effective teams.
• Develops staff capabilities through ongoing feedback, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Works collaboratively with city staff, community partners, the public, and with outside agencies to manage and implement Forestry programs including arborist licensing, asset management, commercial trees, development review, education/outreach, enforcement, integrated pest management, planting and establishment, rotational pruning for city parks and public street rights-of-way trees, tree removals, and tree risk assessment to ensure a healthy and safe urban tree canopy.
• Supports the Foresters in the management and implementation of their programs and in all aspects of contract management.
• Develops business processes involving asset management software; collects and maintains data and maintenance records for public trees; analyzes composition, distribution, and value of urban trees.
• Responds daily to both internal (other city staff) and external (residents) service requests.
• Develops and implements the park and street tree pruning rotation based on annual budget allocations, tree health and public safety.
• Assesses the condition of public trees and determines the need for pruning or removal based on tree health, structure, and safety; writes pruning prescriptions and provides specific written instructions in preparation for contracted bids; notifies and responds to questions from the public.
• Bids out tree maintenance contracts and coordinates extensively with contractors for tree pruning, removals, planting, stump grinding, watering, pesticide applications, tub grinding, traffic control, and towing.
• Reviews landscape plans for proposed public and private development projects, coordinates directly with multiple city departments, landscape architects and contractors on site design to resolve tree related conflicts, appraises tree value, assesses mitigation fees, and prepares reports for damaged or removed trees; reviews appraisals, mitigation and reports prepared by Foresters.
• Monitors insect and disease issues on public and private property and recommends management.
• Provides technical assistance and research-based recommendations to the public, City staff, contractors, and other governmental agencies for planning, budgeting, and project designs to support and implement Forestry goals.
• Develops and presents educational tree-related programs to schools, public groups and other city departments.
• Produces outreach materials, updates the Forestry website; writes news releases; responds to media inquiries.
• Performs tree risk surveys and inspections, recommends mitigation action and communicates directly with property owners about the need for removal.
• Enforces city codes for diseased/infested and dangerous tree removals on private property.
• Coordinates with BPD and City Attorney’s office.
• Serves as a liaison to external organizations for program disciplines, as applicable, representing the workgroup, department and City.
• Assists with coordination of Forestry emergency response to situations involving trees; assesses priority, corrective action, equipment needs, and coordinates with city workgroups, private contractors, and adjacent property owners to resolve safety issues quickly. as needed.
• Ensures projects are completed on schedule and within the scope and budget.
• Performs related duties as required to meet City needs.
• Actively supports and upholds the city’s stated mission and values.
• Knows and complies with all city and department policies.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and integrity; provides excellent customer services to internal and external customers; listens to questions and concerns, evaluates issues and possible solutions, works collaboratively with other city teams to find solutions to challenges that arise; inspires confidence and respect; uses feedback from others to grow and develop.
• Participates in professional training to stay current with trends and issues in arboriculture and urban forest management, and to maintain required certifications.
• Maintains flexibility to work additional hours, evenings, weekends or holidays as needed.

Benefits

• Benefit Eligibility Group: Non Union (30+ Hours) Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

What This Job Offers

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