City Arborist

City of Jacksonville • Jacksonville, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is professional forestry work in planning, organizing, and directing urban forestry activities as it relates to county-wide tree planting projects. The work requires a basic understanding and application of the theories, principles, and practices of urban forestry, arboriculture, botany, and horticultural, and the use of specialized skills in recommending, developing, and administering urban forestry planting plans, policies and procedures, which is gained through degree granting schools, or an equivalent level of practical knowledge gained through experience. Schedules, assigns, monitors, directs, reviews the work of contractors engaged in tree planting, care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment. Contacts require skill in understanding and influencing people and are important in disseminating technical information and advice to public officials and the general public regarding forestry-related regulations, proper forestry techniques and forestry-related projects. The forestry work is standardized in that tasks are covered by substantially diversified procedures and specialized standards, and because of the changing priorities, or different situations, incumbents have the latitude to consider which of the many procedures or standards should be followed and in what sequence. The work involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in search for solutions or new applications within ones’ known experiences. Work is performed in both an office and field environment where risks and hazards are minimal, known, predictable, and controllable. Operates a utility vehicle and standard office equipment such as personal computer. Physical demands consist mainly of visually inspecting trees, using equipment and occasionally lifting objects weighing less than fifty (50) pounds. Work is performed under limited supervision where work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices or well-defined policies and is reviewed, usually after the fact, in terms of quality, timeliness, and adherence to methods, standards and policies.

Requirements

• Five (5) years of education and/or professional experience in urban forestry or directly related field which includes successful completion of 24 semester hours of course work in arboriculture, horticulture or environmental science or related subject.
• Must possess or obtain within six (6) months, valid certification from the International Society of Arboriculture as an ISA Certified Arborist or Master Arborist.
• A valid Florida Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained during employment in this class.
• Must qualify prior to appointment, obtain, and maintain during employment in this class a City of Jacksonville Certification as a Public Driver.
• Knowledge of botany, arboriculture and horticultural theories, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of urban forestry practices, including planting.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of basic species of trees and of their growth, maintenance conditions, and needs.
• Knowledge of soils, fertilizers, and methods of plant cultivation compatible with local environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of research and statistical methods and techniques.
• Ability to schedule, assign, monitor, direct, review the work of contractors engaged in tree planting, care, and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment.
• Ability to recommend, develop and administer urban forestry plans, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to estimate costs, materials, labor, and time for selection, purchasing and planting of trees.
• Ability to conduct urban forestry studies and to analyze and formulate recommendations based upon such studies.
• Ability to prepare and submit grant proposals for urban forestry grants.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate a utility vehicle.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other related software applications.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of urban forestry practices in the southern United States preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in forestry or a related field - preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administers county-wide tree planting projects.
• Schedules, assigns, monitors, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of contractors involved in tree planting, care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment.
• Estimates costs, materials, labor, and time for selection, purchasing and planting of trees.
• Recommends, develops and administers urban forestry planting plans, policies and procedures.
• Facilitates and monitors tree planting projects with nonprofits and civil groups.
• Coordinates private and public participation in planting process.
• Helps develop a list of priority planting projects.
• Coordinates education and outreach programs to government and civil groups related to planting.
• Oversees urban forestry studies to include street trees analyses, type mapping and classification through use of aerial photos, statistical analyses, and related materials and methods.
• Helps prepare and submit grant proposals for urban forestry grants.
• Provides staff support for the Tree Conservation Commission related to planting trees.
• Develops long term monitoring procedures for planting projects.
• Sets canopy goals and measures the progress of planting programs.
• Maintains a database and inventory of the City's trees.
• Responds to citizen right-of-way planting requests through the MyJax System.
• Responds to public damaged tree claims and assists with the replanting of trees.
• Assists in preparation of an annual report on the City's tree maintenance program to the City Council.
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other related software applications.
• Communicates clear direction, manages for results and leads organizational change.
• Assigns responsibility, takes corrective action, demonstrates leadership in evaluating, developing, and motivating employees.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

Benefits

• Four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment
• Low and no cost health insurance options
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Personal leave day
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending plans
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree