Job Detail

Urban Forestry Division Director

Location: Fairfax, VA
Salary:

Only applications through the Fairfax County Government website will be accepted. Please apply at the link.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfaxcounty/jobs/2172961/urban-forestry-division-director

Leads, plans, directs and manages Fairfax County's urban forestry program for the benefit of the county's 1.2 million residents. Specific duties:

• Leads the Urban Forest Management Division to establish and ensure success of long-term strategic goals and initiatives and short-term projects relating to local tree conservation ordinances, forest health, forest conservation, landscape management, natural resource management and land use.
• Monitors emerging political, technological, scientific, regulatory and legal issues at the local, state and federal level to identify opportunities and challenges related to the urban forestry program.
• Partners with a broad spectrum of local and regional stakeholders, including the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Tree Commission, other county agencies, community groups, the development community, and others, in the development of conservation practices, land use policies, legislative initiatives and ordinances related to the management of forests, trees and other natural resources.
• Collaborates with policy makers, residents, environmental groups, engineering staff, developers and builders in the review of land development cases, construction plans and the resolution of issues related to proffers, development conditions, tree preservation, tree planting and landscaping during land development.
• Oversees the surveying, mapping and documentation of the extent, composition and health of the urban forest including monitoring and management planning for emerging forest pests and diseases.
• Leads and engages the division's 21 staff members in program improvements to ensure the highest level of customer service, regulatory effectiveness, interagency cooperation, and staff development and achievement.
• Participates as a member of the Stormwater business area and Department of Public Works and Environmental Services senior management teams.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, environmental science, landscape architecture, agriculture or related field; plus seven years of related experience in forestry, arboriculture, landscape architecture relating to urban forest and forest pest management, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidates possesses the following:

• Master's degree in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, environmental science, environmental planning, landscape architecture, natural resource management or related field.
• A minimum of five years of supervisory experience.
• Program management experience including leading teams, budget preparation, and mentoring, training and coaching of staff.
• Experience and skill in establishing and cultivating strong partnerships to advance urban forest management, including inter- and intra-agency, policy and decision maker, private sector, non-profit, and community partners.
• Experience in developing, applying and interpreting federal and state laws, and county codes, policies and ordinances related to urban forest management.
• Technical expertise and experience in communicating and resolving highly complex land development issues among stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of the science, principles and practices of urban forest management, including forest pest management.
• Advanced knowledge of the ecosystem service values of the urban forest, the current science and methods of quantifying these services, and experience in communicating these values to the public.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid driver's license.
• Possession of a valid Certified Arborist certification issued by the International Society of Arboriculture and the Municipal Specialist certification issued by the International Society of Arboriculture within one year of appointment.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Category 2 or 3A Pesticide Applicator Certification or the ability to obtain same within one year of appointment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and a credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.
        
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to traverse rough terrain. Physically and mentally able to use all applicable personal protective equipment in an outdoor environment; including hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, safety footwear. All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.  All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include written exercise.

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 711. EEO/AA/TTY.

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