Safety/Security Status: Safety Sensitive

SUMMARY Coordinates and performs the daily activities of Parks Urban Forester engaged in the overall management of Urban Forestry Program for the City’s grounds, parks and recreational areas by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting relationships, work assignments, work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

Responsible for promoting tree preservation on Park’s property.

Monitor the health of the Parks’ tree population and address concerns when appropriate.

Performs a variety of tree maintenance duties in parks and other related areas including watering, pruning, installation, removal, fertilization and pest management.

Ability to determine appropriateness of tree species, proper tree care and plant health diagnostic skills.

Determine best management practices for tree inventories and management plans.

Assess hazard trees when requested and perform Tree Risk Assessments as needed.

Performs tree appraisals when needed.

Establish and maintain accurate records and files on all park tree maintenance.

Conducts research, analyzes data and compiles special narratives and statistical reports

Researches, applies for and maintains any available grants for Urban Forestry programs.

Provides training for City staff, Boards and other work groups when requested.

Serve on select City committees as a subject matter expert and provide recommendations and assistance when appropriate.

Work with Parks Foreman, Parks Operations Manager and Director to assist with determining the need for park improvements, capital projects and necessary budget items.

Assist other City Departments with tree care questions and concerns, when requested

Confers with the Parks Foreman to help coordinate the support of activities of other City Departments, when requested.

Coordinates and oversees volunteer efforts related to urban forestry activities.

Coordinates and oversees contractor activities for Parks’ tree related projects

Promote proper tree care among Parks’ staff.

Operates equipment such as chain saws, hand saws, loppers, pruners, pole pruners, etc. and other tools associated with tree pruning and removal.

Operate machinery such as mini excavators, skid steers, toolcats, backhoe, tractors, etc and other heavy equipment associated with tree maintenance duties.

Operate tank sprayers, backpack sprayers, pneumatic air tools, tree injection equipment, etc associated with tree health care activities.

Maintains tools used in performance of duties.

Demonstrates ability to operate an aerial bucket truck and other aerial platforms.

Maintains knowledge of safe work practices and Best Management Practices associated with tree maintenance, including ANSI A300.

Oversees the activities of assigned Temporary and Seasonal staff.

Assist with budget forecasting.

Assist with material and equipment requisition, including researching available options, providing recommendations and gathering quotes.

Review construction plan documents and provide comments related to the urban forest resource.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Associate’s Degree in Urban Forestry or a related field and Seven (7) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license. Position may require a commercial driver’s license. Arkansas Plant Board Certifications. Must be a Certified Arborist, certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, and/or the requirement to attain the certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, to reach with hands and arms, and to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high, precarious places, noxious fumes, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.