Temporary Development Review Arborist

City of Kirkland•Kirkland, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is a Temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of December, 31 2028. The anticipated end date is subject to departmental and budgetary considerations. The Development Review Arborist provides arboricultural development review services for the Planning and Building Department. Reviews development applications for compliance with City tree management and landscape regulations. Works cooperatively with City staff and departments as needed to coordinate vegetation management practices. Applies professional judgment to make recommendations and decisions regarding, tree retention, selection of appropriate vegetation, tree health and safety, and other related development issues. Works with internal and external customers. This position performs significant work with arboricultural and natural resource management. Provides a prominent level of education, expertise, and direction towards the care, safety, retention, and planting of trees and vegetation around the City and on construction sites. Development Review positions apply professional and educated judgment to make recommendations regarding the management and impact planning and development will have on the surrounding natural resources. The Development Review Arborist evaluates and assesses trees and conducts field inspections, but unlike the Field Arborist, this position does not perform maintenance or pruning.

Requirements

2-year degree in arboriculture.
2 years of practical experience.
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) required at the time of hire.
Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles.
Thorough knowledge of the care and maintenance of trees and plant materials used for landscaping of urban areas.
Ability to identify trees and plant materials and to recognize plant diseases, pests, cultural and nutritional deficiencies, and recommend corrective treatments.
Knowledge of urban forestry practices, policies, and codes.
Ability to analyze and interpret policies, regulations, data, and maps.
Ability to work with other City staff in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.
Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies and diverse groups.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
Advanced interpersonal and customer relations skills.
Ability to negotiate solutions and facilitate consensus on tree issues.
Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and permit tracking.
Ability to perform site visits is required.

Nice To Haves

Any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Responsibilities

Reviews development applications for compliance with City’s zoning regulations, evaluates trees on development sites, and makes discretionary permitting decisions.
Reviews tree removal notifications and tree removal permits for compliance with regulations.
Recommends amendments to relevant tree policies and regulations.
Leads internal working groups related to implementation of City tree policies and goals through application of the zoning code.
Presents permit decisions to the Hearing Examiner, which includes writing staff reports and testifying at quasi-judicial hearings.
Participates as needed in pre-application and pre-construction meetings to convey information about the City’s regulations.
Evaluates/assesses hazard trees.
Conducts field inspections of landscape projects to determine compliance with designs, plans, specifications, and conditions of approval.
Provides information to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials (over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, and at meetings) regarding the City’s tree regulations and policies.
Provides advice concerning appropriate tree retention, planting and maintenance practices.
Provides peer review of arborist reports for compliance with development regulations.
Plans and conducts training sessions for staff, arborists, applicants and citizens on development regulations and in the care and maintenance of trees and plantings.
Supports Planning staff with site visits and inspections.
Supports the Code Enforcement Officer, including code analysis and site visits.
Provides subject matter expertise to the Code Enforcement team on code compliance cases, which involves writing reports and testifying in code enforcement hearings.
Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.
Acts as liaison between the city and utility companies regarding periodic tree trimming and removal.
Provides technical review of vegetation issues for public construction and repair projects.
Prepares public information regarding trees.
May work to resolve disputes and facilitate consensus on issues pertaining to trees and serve as a technical resource to City officials involved in dispute resolution.
May provide tree valuations and appraisals.
Promotes public awareness in the value of Kirkland’s urban forest.
Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.