Urban Forestry Program Supervisor

DEFINITION 

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. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 

Receives direction from the Urban Forestry Program Manager. Exercises direct supervision over maintenance staff. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 

This classification is responsible for performing duties in support of the urban forestry programs’ tree planting, maintenance, and preservation activities. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to ensure the City’s Urban Forestry Program activities are enacted and provide the highest level of customer satisfaction.  Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff and for providing technical support to management in a variety of areas.  Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. 

• 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 related duties as assigned.

• 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 interacting 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.

• 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.
• Obtain certifications as required by OSHA/CalOSHA and provided by the City, to     perform assigned duties.
• 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. 

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

• 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.

• 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).
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within probationary period, a valid certification in American Red Cross CPR, First Aid and AED to be maintained throughout employment.

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

Physical Demands 

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.   

Environmental Elements 

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Salary : $75,581 - $91,869