Park Specialist - Urban Forestry

City of Bellingham • City of Bellingham, WA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Parks and Recreation Department in shaping the future of the city’s urban forest as a Park Specialist – Urban Forestry, where your expertise helps protect and elevate our most valued natural spaces. In this role, you’ll combine advanced arboriculture knowledge with technical aerial tree work, ecosystem stewardship, and strong teamwork to support safe, healthy, and resilient landscapes. Whether you’re growing within the organization or bringing fresh experience from outside, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the community’s urban forests. JOB SUMMARY: This position plans, schedules, implements, monitors, and evaluates work for trees and forest stands in City parks, public spaces, open space areas and right-of-way areas. Performs technical tree work, provides tree hazard assessments, makes recommendations for forest stand management, removals and plantings. Responsible for selection, care, operation, maintenance and replacement of equipment in program. The work requires a variety of specialized techniques and equipment for climbing and rigging. Serves as lead to staff assigned to program area; provides training, technical guidance, day-to-day direction and provides input on performance evaluations. Coordinates activities with other sections of the Parks Department, other City departments as well as developers and contractors. Represents the City as a consulting arborist for City departments, providing a professional opinion and written reports on City tree issues. Provides input on budgetary requirements, tracks and orders materials, equipment and supplies for program area, including price and product evaluation as well as bid packet creation and evaluation.

Requirements

• Four (4) years of recent experience in technical arboriculture including technical tree removals and pruning, rope and saddle, spurs and flip line, aerial lifts, rigging and related tools and equipment.
• Two (2) years experience participating in the planning and execution of arboriculture in significant rural or urban environments including hazard tree assessment and written reports.
• Current International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential required at time of hire.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license by time of hire and good driving record.
• Ability to secure a Washington State Pesticide License within 12 months of hire.
• Ability to secure a valid flagging/traffic control certification within 12 months of hire.
• Ability to secure a valid First Aid and CPR certification within 12 months of hire.
• Ability to secure Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Certification within 12 months of hire.
• Must possess and maintain International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist certification throughout employment.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Nice To Haves

• One (1) year lead worker experience preferred.
• Successful completion of two (2) years of coursework related to arboriculture may be substituted for one year of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Plans, schedules, implements, monitors, and evaluates work for trees and forest stands in City parks, public spaces, open space areas and right-of-way areas.
• Performs technical tree work, provides tree hazard assessments, makes recommendations for forest stand management, removals and plantings.
• Responsible for selection, care, operation, maintenance and replacement of equipment in program.
• Serves as lead to staff assigned to program area; provides training, technical guidance, day-to-day direction and provides input on performance evaluations.
• Coordinates activities with other sections of the Parks Department, other City departments as well as developers and contractors.
• Represents the City as a consulting arborist for City departments, providing a professional opinion and written reports on City tree issues.
• Provides input on budgetary requirements, tracks and orders materials, equipment and supplies for program area, including price and product evaluation as well as bid packet creation and evaluation.

Benefits

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed