Job Detail

Director of Tree Preservation

Location: Queens, NY
Salary: $90,000-$100,000

The mission of Forestry, Horticulture and Natural Resources (FHNR) is to protect, restore, expand and manage New York City’s natural spaces and green infrastructure to maximize their benefits and promote their value within and outside of the urban ecosystem.

Major Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Chief of Forestry, Horticulture and Natural Resources, with wide latitude for independent judgment and decision- making, develop, promulgate and uphold standards and protocols for tree care and preservation for street and park trees.
Oversee the Permits Plan & Review program, including staff, operations, reporting, policies and procedures.
Manage the Trees & Sidewalks program, including staff, contracts and budgets, operations, reporting, policies and procedures.
Centrally coordinate between the five borough forestry offices to ensure standard application of urban forestry best practices, including safety standards and procedures, certifications and trainings, and tree preservation protocols and practices across sties.
Work with other Parks divisions, agencies, utilities and/or trade associations to enforce Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) tree preservation and protection policies.
Coordinate Parks’ tree restitution program including tree valuation methodology and forms, and restitution program tracking.
Research new materials, methods and policies relating to tree care and protection and urban forestry.
Plan and coordinate urban forestry safety training and professional development classes within the agency and in collaboration with other institutions as necessary.
Perform forestry tasks as necessary including tree inventories, tree condition and hazard evaluations and tree inspections.
Prepare briefings, reports, evaluations and correspondence.
Provide regular updates on the status of various projects and programs and ensure that projects advance in a timely manner.
Qualification Requirements
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with major study in horticulture, arboriculture or landscape architecture and four years of full-time, paid experience in horticultural work of which two (2) years must have been in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or
2. A satisfactory equivalent. However, all candidates must have at least a high school diploma or evidence of having passed an examination for a high school equivalency diploma and one year of supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive experience as described above.
Residency in New York City, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Putnam or Westchester counties required for employees with over two years of city service. New York City residency required within 90 days of hire for all other candidates.
Preferred Skills/Qualifications
1. Certification as “Arborist” or “Board Certified Master Arborist” by the International Society of Arboriculture; or “Registered Consulting Arborist” by the American Society of Consulting Arborists.
2. A master’s degree from an accredited university in forestry or a related subject; or 7 years of experience in tree preservation and protection, pruning, installation and establishment, diagnosis and treatment of insect and disease problems, and other related arboricultural services.
3. Excellent writing, administrative and inter-personal skills. Strong leadership skills and capacity to reconcile input from multiple stakeholders while meeting overall organizational objectives.
4. Experience with and understanding of construction techniques and building requirements and ability to comprehend road, building and construction plans.
5. Strong knowledge of agency divisions and/or government operations.
6. Valid New York State driver license.
How to Apply
Go to nyc.gov/careers/search and search for Job ID# 413531.
 

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