Stormwater - Urban Forester

City of Lebanon•Lebanon, TN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Assists the Stormwater Coordinator with performing professional forestry and environmental functions within the Stormwater Department. Leads tree protection initiatives, this includes coordinating recovery efforts, creating public communications, answering general questions from the public, reviewing landscaping plans and working on City beatification and environmental conservation activities for the City of Lebanon.

Requirements

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Knowledge of related computer hardware and software (GIS, MS Office, etc.)
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and other employees.
Ability to deal with the public with tact and diplomacy.
This job may involve identifying plants and evaluating the health of trees and other plants.
High school diploma or GED required.
A minimum of two years of relevant work experience is required.
Must have a valid Tennessee Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

An associate or bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Planning, Natural Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Experience in forestry, planning, or related fields, as well as experience with GIS-related computer hardware and software, is desirable.

Responsibilities

Create and administer the City’s Forest Preservation Management Plan for forest preservation lands.
Serve as the primary reviewer of landscape and stream buffer plans for new developments to ensure plans are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.
Engage in-field inspections to ensure landscape plan compliance and other related compliance issues.
Coordinate vendor and City staff lead tree removal program within City parks, public open spaces and other areas as assigned. Provides guidance and training to field staff on matters related to arboriculture.
Perform tree planting and establishment activities as part of environmental improvement projects.
Create regular public communication and education initiatives about tree preservation, riparian buffers, and other similar items.
Perform enforcement activities related to trees, riparian buffers, and landscape on public and private property.
Answer questions and provides general forestry, and environmental-related information to the public and the development community via phone, email & in person, interpreting overall plans, City projects, and ordinances.
Work with various volunteer groups to coordinate environmental-based projects.
Prepare and administer grants for forestry and environmental-based initiatives.
Act as staff liaison to the Planning Commission. Develop or support new and current initiatives, including managing special projects, grant applications, and organizing events.
Attend and participate in professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of forestry, as well as related fields.
Meet with applicants about development proposals.
Project work will include completing existing vegetation surveys, forest stand delineations, tree appraisals, arborist site inspections and construction meetings, and preparing and providing technical expertise for tree preservation/conservation/invasive species management plans and entitlement and site plan submissions.
Provide experienced based input on various urban forestry topics, technologies, protocols, and industry developments.
Design and implement beautification projects on rights-of-way, parks, and other City properties.
Research and develop city landscape and open space design guidelines.
Local travel within city limits is required.
Candidate must demonstrate consistent and dependable attendance to ensure smooth daily operations.
Other duties as assigned.