Arborist, Senior

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Job description

Parks & Recreation

Senior Arborist

Posting Expires: November 14, 2024

Salary: $65,000/annually

Summary

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking a Senior Arborist to join our Arborist Division in the Office of Natural Resources. The Senior Arborist position acts as a project manager for various forestry services and contracts including tree planting, tree maintenance, and urban forest management.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to, educating others about the City of Atlanta Tree Protection Ordinance and the importance of trees and the urban forest, responding to requests for inspections of trees on City property, performing tree risk and health assessments on City property according to industry standard BMPs, scheduling any necessary tree work with DPR's Forestry Division or contractors, reviewing requests for permits to perform tree work on trees on City property, ad reviewing construction documents submitted to the Office of Natural Resources for compliance with the City of Atlanta's Tree Protection Ordinance.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Arboricultural Manager - Operations, Arborist Division, Office of Natural Resources, Department of Parks and Recreation. Works under very general supervision. May work independently or with other skilled or semi-skilled workers with responsibility for completion of assigned tasks.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.

The following duties are typical for this job. These duties are not exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Manages urban forestry contracts including tree planting plan development, tree planting, tree pruning, stump grinding, and tree inventories.
• Tracks and audits contracted forestry services in work order and tree inventory systems. Completes site visits to approve of plans and verify for contract compliance and performance standards.
• Review, analyze, and update tree inventory data to prioritize urban forestry services and track completed work.
• Prepares for future urban forestry projects by writing Scopes of Work, Requisitions for Proposals, drafting authorizing legislation, and evaluating proposals. Works with Department of Procurement, Department of Law, and other agencies to execute contract agreements and submit legislation as needed.
• Develops and researches, specifications, Best Management Practices, and Standard Operating Procedures for urban forestry services.
• Inspects and evaluates individual trees for health, condition, and risk assessment. Completes both Level 1 and Level 2 tree risk assessments. Evaluates tree health and risk to determine whether trees are dead, dying, hazardous, invasive, or undesirable per City code. Issues tree removal permits.
• Exhibits excellent customer service and human relations skills. Communicates clearly via letter, telephone, and e-mail with the public and other external or internal stakeholders regarding tree installation, tree care, and other forestry-related issues. Collaborates with Office of Natural Resources staff members and other City Departments to ensure high quality customer service.
• Ensures forestry contracts meet objectives in City of Atlanta's City Design: Nature, Urban Forest Master Plan, DPR's Activate ATL Master Plan, and DPR's Natural Resource Management Plan as applicable.
• Utilizes Atlanta's Urban Tree Canopy Assessment data, Atlanta's Heat + Flood Risk Assessment data, and other related data to identify priority areas and species for tree planting.
• Contributes to the development of the Urban Forest Master Plan as needed. Assists in the development and implementation of long-term goals for the Department.
• Issues citations for code violations by serving as an A.P.D. sworn Code Enforcement Agent for Sections 158 (Tree Protection Ordinance) of the Atlanta Municipal Code. Provide testimony at tree appeal hearings as needed. May attend Municipal Court with City Solicitor when the Tree Protection Ordinances have been violated. May act as an expert witness on behalf of the City.
• Provides expert knowledge for urban forestry, parks, and greenspaces. Addresses civic groups, schools, garden clubs, and neighborhood groups regarding the urban forestry. Responds knowledgably to questions regarding municipal arboriculture and urban forestry.
• Completes maintenance tasks as needed including planting trees, pruning trees, removing invasive vines from trees, removing piled soil/mulch from trunk/root flare, removing watering bags/arbor tie, etc.
• Attains and maintains professional certifications. Keeps expertise current through seminars, classes, and other educational opportunities. Must maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification.
• Identifies tree maintenance needs and coordinates forestry resources after storm events.
• Coordinates with Natural Areas Division and Arboricultural Manager - Natural Areas and Land Management for invasive species control/suppression.

Leadership Provided

Provides guidance and training as required to volunteers, contractors, interns, staff, etc.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

• Has knowledge of Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, industry best management practices, plus City of Atlanta policies and ordinances as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
• Has general knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to tree-related issues and other responsibilities in service as a City of Atlanta Senior Arborist.
• Knows how to develop and administer both staff and contract services to meet Departmental and City objectives for natural resource management. In pursuit of these objectives, develops relationships and coordinates with partner Non-Governmental Organizations as well as municipal, State of Georgia, and Federal agencies.
• Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, operations, and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
• Has good organizational, and technical skills. Is able to read, understand, and interpret development plans, architectural plans, reports, and related materials, Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations.
• Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Is able to use independent judgement and discretion in handling emergency situations.
• Is able to assist in developing and implementing long-term goals for the Department of Parks and Recreation in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Responds to and is able to effectively communicate and interact with management, employees, and members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the City as they relate to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with management, staff, and members of the public.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Is able to organize and prioritize work and has technical skills to follow through.
• Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations.
• Is knowledgeable and proficient with GIS tree inventory systems, Customer Relationship Management systems, and work order systems.
• Is able to read, understand, and interpret development plans, architectural plans, engineering plans, technical reports and related materials.
• knows and uses industry best management practices in tree installation and tree maintenance
• Has proficient plant identification skills including native tree, invasive tree, and invasive vine identification.

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