Job Detail

Urban Forestry Program Supervisor

Location: Davis, CA
Salary: (Monthly) $5,604.56 - $6,812.35

Job Description:

Under general direction, assists in planning, organizing, and coordinating the overall implementation of a City-wide urban forestry program including tree planting, maintenance, preservation activities, contract administration, and enforcement of tree-related policies; provides complex administrative and program support to assigned management personnel; and performs related work as required.

 

Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

 

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff engaged in the maintenance and management of the City’s urban forest; determines work priorities and prepares and reviews work orders; manages workload and timelines; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Coordinates work with other City staff as required; performs inspections to evaluate work in progress and prepares inspection reports; resolves work problems; recommends improvements or modifications.
• Oversees and coordinates the work performed by private contractors; ensures contractors meet City contract requirements; processes contractor payments. 
• Recruits and selects part time staff, volunteers and interns involved in the planting, maintenance, and removal of City trees; provides training.
• Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations.
• Monitors activities of the urban forestry work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Reviews and evaluates the tree maintenance and management needs by reviewing City and public complaints and requests and observing problems or upon direction from the Urban Forestry Program Manager; performs tree health evaluations, tree risk assessments, and pest/disease diagnoses as needed; enforces the City’s tree removal policy and related ordinances; oversees tree related emergencies.
• Assists the Urban Forestry Program Manager and coordinates with interdepartmental staff in plan review and implementation of the conditions of approval for new developments and capital improvement projects.
• Assists with the preparation of division budget and oversees expenditures to ensure budget compliance.
• Assists with the oversight of divisional code enforcement procedures including field violations; posts public notices, sends code enforcement warning letters and educational materials; works with Police Department code enforcement procedures as required.
• Creates and distributes public outreach and education materials, including City website content, flyers, and news releases; drafts City Council weekly updates, as required.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates special events; engages stakeholders and the general public.
• Writes specifications and requisitions for equipment, supplies, and materials; orders and purchases equipment, supplies, and materials including trees.
• Maintains files, databases including tree inventory, and records related to urban forestry programs and services; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Represents the City in meetings with City commissions, community groups, and the public; attends professional workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Performs tree care functions including tree trimming and pruning, tree removal, and related tasks.
• Drives, operates, inspects, and maintains tools and equipment used for tree maintenance programs including, but not limited to, chippers, stump grinders, chainsaws, hand tools, and tractors.
• Receives, processes, completes, and maintains work requests and work orders for tree related services from management.
• Performs plant and pest diagnosis and implements appropriate corrective measures; provides advice on proper care of trees and possible remedies for disease or pest problems to property owners.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Knowledge of:

 

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of a comprehensive urban forestry program including tree planting, species selection, maintenance, soil science, and tree pruning.
• Integrated pest management techniques.
• Contract specifications, bidding, administration, and management for arboricultural services and all other aspects of modern tree management practices.
• Local community groups, organizations, and businesses.
• Special event planning processes and techniques.
• Purchasing policies, procedures, forms, and techniques.
• Mathematical principles.
• Methods and techniques of identifying plant pests and diseases.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Operation and maintenance of hand and power tools, City vehicles, and power equipment.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, contractors, and City staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

 

Ability to:

 

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.

• Manage multiple projects and tasks of varying complexities and work well under pressure. 
• Carry out administrative tasks such as scheduling, reviewing time sheets, preparing maintenance reports, and conducting training meetings. 
• Perform the most complex urban forestry maintenance work.
• Promote and enforce safe work practices; organize and conduct training programs.
•  Inspect work in progress and upon completion; identify areas needing improvement.
• Oversee expenditures and adhere to budgeted allocations.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Detect insect and plant diseases and prescribe corrective action to eradicate problems.
• Create and design publicity flyers, news releases, and other public outreach and education materials.
• Plan, market, and promote programs and special events.
• Read and interpret construction and landscaping plans.
• Collect, update, and utilize tree inventory data.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

 

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by college level coursework in arboriculture, forestry, botany, park administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban forestry management and maintenance, or a related field; including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead capacity. 

 

Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid professional arborist certification designated by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within the probationary period, a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification designated by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

 

Highly desirable:

• Wildlife Aware Arborist Certification
• Possession of a valid California State Pesticide Applicators Certificate  

For more information, and to apply please go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/davis

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