Urban Forester

City of Encinitas • Encinitas, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Encinitas is seeking an experienced and dedicated Urban Forester to lead its Urban Forestry Program. This role is crucial for maintaining the health, safety, sustainability, and aesthetic value of the City’s public trees and urban forest. The Urban Forester will serve as the City's technical expert in arboriculture, managing daily operations, conducting inspections, overseeing contractors, managing tree assets, reviewing development plans for tree conflicts, and performing minor tree trimming. The position also involves significant communication with residents, contractors, and internal departments, offering a chance to shape a growing program and make a visible impact on the community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in forestry, urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, or tree care operations.
• Valid California Drivers License.
• Certified Arborist designation issued by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of arboriculture and urban forestry, including tree species selection, planting, pruning, soil science, tree biology, plant pathology, and tree risk assessment.
• Knowledge of ANSI A300 standards and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices for tree care operations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of urban forest management, including the development and implementation of the Urban Forest Management Program Administrative Manual of Procedures, canopy assessment, and species diversification.
• Knowledge of methods, equipment, tools, and safety practices used in tree planting, maintenance, and removal.
• Knowledge of identification, diagnosis, and treatment of tree pests, diseases, and structural defects, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
• Knowledge of tree inventory systems and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications for urban forest data management.
• Knowledge of landscape and irrigation maintenance principles and practices as they relate to tree health.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of contract development, administration, and inspection, including preparation and evaluation of specifications and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal budget preparation, monitoring, and administration.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations relating to tree protection, environmental conservation, urban development, labor, Cal/OSHA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Knowledge of construction-related plans, drawings, calculations, and reports as they affect public trees and the urban forest.
• Knowledge of research, report writing, and recordkeeping techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of public relations, customer service, and community outreach.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices applicable to urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and GIS or tree inventory applications.
• Skill in identifying tree species, hazards, deficiencies, pests, and diseases, and prescribing appropriate corrective action.
• Skill in performing tree risk assessments and tree health care inspections.
• Skill in reading and interpreting construction plans, landscape plans, and specifications.
• Skill in developing, administering, and inspecting contracts and contracted services.
• Skill in preparing and administering program budgets and cost estimates.
• Skill in composing clear and concise written reports, correspondence, and technical documents.
• Skill in using a computer, tablet, smartphone, and related software applications, including GIS and tree inventory systems.
• Skill in leading, coordinating, and supervising the work of contractors.
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, contractors, other agencies, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Ability to organize, implement, and direct a comprehensive urban forestry program.
• Ability to provide scientific and technical advice and assistance on problems relating to tree care, preservation, protection, and urban forest management.
• Ability to detect insect infestations and plant diseases and prescribe corrective action.
• Ability to collect, update, maintain, and utilize tree inventory and GIS data to make sound management decisions.
• Ability to plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines, including plan-check review timelines.
• Ability to develop and enforce contract specifications and provisions related to urban forest management.
• Ability to establish short-range and long-range priorities for tree and urban forest maintenance, considering public safety, City liability, budget limitations, and the expectations of City management, City Council, commissions, and the public.
• Ability to interpret and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures, as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, contractors, and outside agencies, including on sensitive issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including the preparation and delivery of presentations to City Council, commissions, and the public.
• Ability to lead or participate in emergency response efforts to manage tree damage from storms or other extreme weather events.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other City departments, outside agencies, and community organizations to advance urban forestry, sustainability, and green infrastructure goals.

Nice To Haves

• Municipal or other public agency experience is desirable.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) - Must obtain with 1 year of employment.
• Qualified Applicator’s Certificate and/or Qualified Applicator’s License issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the work of personnel and contractors engaged in the planting, pruning, maintenance, preservation, and removal of City trees in parks, and public rights-of-way including but not limited to: parkways, medians, streetscapes, open spaces, and other City-administered landscaped areas.
• Develops, implements, and periodically updates the City’s Urban Forest Management Program Administrative Manual of Procedures; establishes goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and performance measures for the urban forestry program and recommends program improvements.
• Prepares specifications, scopes of work, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for urban forestry services; administers and monitors tree maintenance, planting, and related contracts; inspects contractor work for compliance with contractual terms, City standards, ANSI A300 standards, and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices.
• Conducts inspections and tree risk assessments; diagnoses tree health issues, including pests, diseases, and structural defects; prescribes pruning, treatment, mitigation, or removal as appropriate; identifies hazardous trees and coordinates timely corrective action.
• Establishes and maintains the City’s tree inventory and GIS-based mapping of the urban forest; tracks tree species, condition, maintenance history, pest and disease conditions, planting locations, and canopy data; produces reports on inventory and program performance.
• Reviews development plans, construction documents, encroachment permits, and tree removal and planting permits for compliance with the City’s tree preservation guidelines, municipal code, and Urban Forest Management Administrative Manual of Procedures; submits review comments within established plan-check timelines and coordinates with other City departments and applicants.
• Monitors active construction projects affecting public trees; performs site inspections to evaluate construction impacts on existing trees; enforces tree protection requirements; performs final inspections; calculates tree valuations and recommends restitution or replacement plantings.
• Drafts, updates, and enforces tree-related ordinances, guidelines, and regulations; pursues enforcement of penalties for illegal tree removal, damage, or noncompliance and coordinates with legal staff as needed.
• Participates in the development and administration of the assigned operating, capital, and contract services budgets; forecasts materials, equipment, and contracted service needs; monitors expenditures, prepares budget reports, and recommends adjustments.
• Researches and pursues grants and outside funding opportunities to support urban forestry initiatives, including planting, canopy expansion, and community programs.
• Serves as the City’s technical resource and liaison on urban forestry matters, including to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC); responds to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information from residents, business owners, contractors, other City departments, external agencies, and the public; provides public education and outreach on tree care, urban forestry benefits, and City policies.
• Coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies on green infrastructure, urban heat island mitigation, stormwater management, sustainability initiatives, and emergency storm response and recovery affecting City trees.
• Coordinates volunteer programs, community tree planting events, and partnerships with environmental groups, schools, and community organizations to promote tree stewardship.
• Establishes, maintains, and enforces safety programs for assigned operations consistent with Cal/OSHA and other federal, state, and local safety regulations; investigates work-related injuries and incidents and implements corrective action plans.
• Prepares and presents clear and concise staff reports, correspondence, and presentations for management, City Council, commissions, boards, and the public on urban forestry programs, projects, and policy matters.
• Maintains current professional knowledge of arboriculture, urban forestry research, regulatory requirements, and best management practices through continuing education and professional involvement.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding.
• Encouragement for minorities, disabled persons and women to apply.
• Accommodation for qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process.

What This Job Offers

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