Vegetation Program Specialist I/II

$118,331 - $151,445/Yr

Santa Clara Valley Water District

Full-time - Entry Level

501-1,000 employees

Utilities

About the position

The Vegetation Program Specialist I/II position at Valley Water involves arborist duties, including tree risk assessments, customer service related to tree requests, and managing routine maintenance pruning programs. The role is essential for maintaining vegetation in riparian areas throughout Santa Clara County, contributing to the agency's mission of providing safe, clean water and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Performing site visits and tree risk assessments, quantifying work to be performed and estimating impacts of work.
• Managing routine maintenance pruning program for access along Valley Water maintenance roads and fence line paths.
• Responding to customer concerns using Access Valley Water System; consultations with customers on-site.
• Collecting tree inventory data using GPS applications and associated GIS tools.
• Coordinating tree work between contractors and the public as needed, overseeing contractors and reconciling invoices.
• Emergency response to tree-related issues on Valley Water properties, coordinating internal or contracted staff to address emergencies.
• Preparing work orders, photo documentation, maps, technical reports, and associated documents.
• Assisting with obtaining regulatory permits for tree work.
• Quarterly reporting and database management for Vegetation projects; reporting work accomplished and weekly schedules of work to be performed.

Requirements

• Three (3) years of experience in integrated vegetation management, ecological restoration, horticulture, arboriculture, forestry, or field maintenance planning for Vegetation Program Specialist I.
• Five (5) years of experience in integrated vegetation management, ecological restoration, horticulture, or arboriculture or silviculture, and two (2) years of lead experience for Vegetation Program Specialist II.
• Experience utilizing GPS and GIS.
• Experience using Maximo and Oracle database systems or similar.
• Program development and lead experience is a plus.
• Arborist Certificate from International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Nice-to-haves

• Valid Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Categories C & F issued by the State of California's Department of Pesticide Regulation within 12 months of hire for Vegetation Program Specialist I.
• Possession of a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Categories C & F at the time of hire for Vegetation Program Specialist II.
• A valid Agricultural Pest Control Adviser License (in Category E) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation within 12 months of hire.
• A valid certification as an Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture upon appointment and a valid Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential within 12 months of hire.

Benefits

• Vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance.
• Participation in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).