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NEOGOV · 2 weeks ago

Urban Forester

City of Santa Monica, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$105K/yr - $136K/yr

4+ years exp

NEOGOV is seeking an Urban Forester to oversee and manage the City-wide urban forestry program in Santa Monica. The role involves planning, developing, and administering programs and policies to enhance and protect the City’s Urban Forest, while supervising staff and contract employees.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Plans strategic and systematic operations in accordance with the vision and guiding principles of the City's Urban Forest Master Plan

Develops, monitors and oversees program budget. Makes budgetary recommendations and maintains appropriate administrative and financial records and reports

Manages Santa Monica’s urban forestry program for all public trees located in City parks, streets, parkways, and other City-administered landscaped areas. Establishes tree inspection and pruning frequencies and ensures planting is consistent with the species designations in the Urban Forest Master Plan

Enforces International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American National Standard Institute (ANSI) specifications for tree pruning, removal, planting, and replacement

Reviews and comments on development plans, drawings, calculations, and reports to ensure conformance with the Urban Forest Master Plan. Mitigates public tree loss through restitution collection for tree planting and aftercare

Serves as a liaison to other City departments, the community, the Urban Forest Task Force, and various national, state, and regional organizations. Provides expert technical advice and guidance on arboricultural and urban forestry matters as needed

Prepares and delivers urban forestry related presentations to the public, stakeholder groups, boards, commissions, the Urban Forest Task Force, and City Council

Responds to urban forest emergencies

Selects, supervises, directs and evaluates staff. Implements personnel policies and procedures. Establishes and approves work schedules and leave requests. Reviews employee time-cards and prepares employee performance evaluations

Trains and coordinates training activities for assigned employees in proper work methods and procedures. Inspects work sites on a periodic basis to ensure compliance with City and department goals, objectives, policies and procedures

Develops and writes contract specifications and Requests for Proposal (RFPs). Reviews contract proposals, interviews bidders and checks references. Monitors contract progress pursuant to City policies and procedures

Monitors and inspects contract work to ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions, resolves discrepancies and corrects deficiencies as needed

Identifies funding resources for urban forestry and landscape development programs. Writes funding proposals, prepares grant applications and accompanying reports, and manages grant funds

Implements environmentally sound maintenance practices which are consistent with applicable conservation, ecological and environmental principles. Provides support to the development of the Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan and related sustainable programs, including the Integrated Pest Management Program

Conducts research and prepares and maintains a variety of reports, records, and correspondence as requested

Responds to inquiries, 311s, and requests for information. Investigates and resolves citizen complaints and escalating concerns

Evaluates and analyzes urban forestry operations and customer satisfaction levels. Makes recommendations for improvements and prepares and maintains various reports addressing productivity, accomplishments and program status updates

Performs other duties, as assigned

Qualification

Urban forestry program managementCertified Arborist (ISA)Tree risk assessment (TRAQ)Budget developmentContract administrationPublic relationsTeam coordinationCustomer serviceResearchAnalysisEffective communication

Required

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree

A degree in Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Urban Forestry, Agronomy, Horticulture or a closely related field is desirable

Four years of recent, paid work experience in the administration of an urban forestry program

At least two years of recent, paid work experience must have included supervisory responsibilities

Possession of a valid Class C driver license

Certification as a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

Holder of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

Certification as a Board-Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) must be obtained within six months upon hire

Preferred

Recent, related public agency work experience is desirable

Certification as a Certified Urban Forest Professional by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is desirable

Possession of a valid State of California Pest Control Adviser (PCA) License and valid State of California Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) is desirable