WORK SCHEDULE: Generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Requires some weekend work for special events or emergencies.

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "WORK SCHEDULE: Generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Requires some weekend work for special events or emergencies."

Transcription

1 CITY OF BOULDER invites applications for the position of: Forestry Assistant An Equal Opportunity Employer POSTING START DATE: 02/25/14 12:00 AM POSTING END DATE: 03/18/14 11:59 PM HIRING RANGE: $ $22.58 SALARY: $ $30.10 Hourly POSITION END DATE: WORK SCHEDULE: Generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Requires some weekend work for special events or emergencies. JOB TYPE: Full- Time LOCATION: Park Ops, 5200 Pearl Street, Boulder OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE: OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE: Under minimal supervision, to assist in the planning of urban forestry programs, to perform a variety of urban forestry tasks and related duties as required. KEY COMPETENCIES: Action Oriented: Is action oriented and full of energy to embrace challenges; has the ability to perform with the minimum of planning; seizes opportunities. Customer Focus: Dedicated to meet internal and external expectations and

2 requirements; gets information first hand and uses information to make improvements in service. Functional/Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment. Listening: Practices attentive and active listening; has patience to hear people out and restate the opinion of others. Time Management: Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities; gets more done in less time than others; can attend to a broader range of activities. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Assists in the coordination and implementation of the city Emerald Ash Borer Program. Monitors for insect and disease problems on public and private property and makes management recommendations. Climbs trees of all sizes to sample for emerald ash borer and other insect/disease problems. Schedules and inspects work performed by tree care contractors. Works extensively with multiple contractors: formulates bids, determines tree work needed, provides written instructions, ensures contractor compliance with city standards and monitors completion of work. Performs tree pruning, tree removal and trunk or soil injected pesticide treatments. Provides recommendations to the public or landscape professionals on appropriate actions pertaining to tree insect or disease infestations. Develops educational material and conducts outreach on tree insect/disease problems and general tree care topics. Communicates with property owners and enforces city codes for diseased and dangerous tree removals on private property. Coordinates with City Attorney s office on legal procedures when necessary to remove trees on private property. Assist with wood waste management. Coordinates IPM research projects to determine available pesticide alternatives. Utilizes GIS to map and track infestations and determine potential future pest impacts to urban trees. 2. Develops and implements the city-wide street and park tree inventories.

3 Conducts annual city-wide field surveys to update records for the tree inventory. Uses Arcview GIS software, GPS equipment and asset management software to collect and maintain tree location, health information and maintenance records for public trees. Routinely utilizes GIS software to analyze composition, distribution, and value of urban trees and to provide historical and statistical information to better manage the urban forest. 3. Coordinates and Implements Tree Pruning Rotation and Removal programs. Develops and implements the tree pruning rotation based on annual budget allocations and tree health and safety conditions. Determines pruning needs on an individual basis: classifies type of pruning work to be performed and provides specific written instructions in preparation for contracted bids. Coordinates work schedules with tree service contractor and inspects work to ensure quality and compliance with contract agreement, city code/licensing/insurance, and industry standards. Prunes and removes small / medium trees in-house and performs stump grinding operations; trains and supervises seasonal staff to prune/remove trees to industry standards. Determines removal of trees based on tree health, structure and safety. 4. Coordinates and Implements Enforcement of city Tree Protection Standards. Provides recommendations to developers, homeowners, and city staff to minimize damage to public trees during construction activities. Appraises the value of trees to be removed and submits reports to developers, construction companies, homeowners, and City Attorney s Office for damage done to public trees. Assesses the condition of public trees and provides recommendations on the retention or removal of trees. 5. Coordinates emergency response activities related to tree hazards due to wind/snow storms, lightening strikes, construction impacts and vehicular accidents. Responds to tree related emergencies when contacted by Police Dispatch, Public Works or private residents. Assesses priority, corrective action, appropriate

4 equipment and agencies needed to resolve safety issues quickly. Climbs trees of all sizes to remove hangers and eliminate hazards or dispatches tree service contractors when necessary. Coordinates with Public Works Maintenance staff, private contractors, and adjacent property owners to resolve tree emergencies and to eliminate tree hazards. Coordinates with Risk Management in cases of property damage due to public trees. 6. Coordinates and implements Tree Planting Program for city parks. Coordinates species selection, qualifies sites, and selects proper placement initiated through resident and staff requests. Contacts property owners if tree request is denied to justify decision. Orders and selects trees from nurseries, and coordinates deliveries. Inspects and approves tree deliveries based on condition and health of tree stock. Performs tree planting in-house; trains and supervises seasonal work crew to plant trees to industry standards. Coordinates irrigation line locates with park staff and utility lines with utility locating service. Conducts health status scans to assess survivability and desirable species ratings. 7. Other: Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city. Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property. Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies. Generally duties are listed from most to least critical or time consuming. All City supervisors of seasonal, part-time, contract, intern, and volunteer employees are responsible for hiring and terminating supervised employees or making related recommendations; communicating job expectations; ensuring employees are properly trained initially and on an ongoing basis, as needed; providing appropriate feedback to

5 employees by monitoring their performance; completing performance evaluations as appropriate; correcting problems in employee work habits or performance in a timely manner; prioritizing and scheduling work functions; ensuring adherence to established safety standards and all City and department policies and procedures; ensuring the timely completion and submission of all paperwork required by the City to process employee transactions, insurance or injury claims, etc.; maintaining related records; and ensuring the accuracy of reported time use. CITY VISION AND VALUES: The City of Boulder is committed to service excellence for an inspired future and the following values: Customer service - We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our community and our co-workers by demonstrating consistent and professional service with a solution-oriented approach Respect - We champion diversity and welcome individual perspectives, backgrounds and opinions. We are open-minded and treat all individuals with respect and dignity. Integrity - We are stewards of the public's trust and are committed to service that is transparent and consistent with city regulations and policies. We are honorable, follow through on our commitments and accept responsibility. Collaboration - We are committed to organizational success and celebrate our shared dedication to public service. We believe community collaboration and the sum of our individual contributions leads to great results. Innovation - We promote a forward-thinking environment that supports creativity, calculated risks and continuous improvement. We embrace change and learn from others in order to deliver leading-edge service. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Bachelor or Associates degree and minimum two years experience in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry or Natural Resources. Working knowledge of urban tree species identification and insect and disease diagnosis. Demonstrated knowledge of tree care maintenance practices. Experience with Integrated Pest Management and plant health care programs. Experience with rope and saddle equipment, tree climbing and technique. International Society of Arboriculture Certification or ability to achieve certification within six months of hire. State of Colorado Pesticide Applicators license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire. Ability to perform strenuous work outdoors

6 including climbing, kneeling, and walking in limited access areas in a variety of weather conditions. Ability to operate a variety of long-handle, manual, and power tools and equipment. Ability to utilize all required safety equipment. Computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and GPS equipment. Working knowledge of ArcMap and GIS applications. Courteous and effective interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate technical information in an effective manner to the public and departmental staff. Good writing and public relations skills. Ability to work with multiple departments and local agencies. Valid Colorado driver's license. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS In addition to the required minimum qualifications: Previous experience with Emerald ash borer management programs. Ability to manage seasonal crews. Experience with pesticide applications. Ability to read landscape plans to scale. Code enforcement experience. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: WORKING CONDITIONS - Required Physical and Mental Effort, and Environmental Conditions: In addition to the information listed in the required minimum qualifications section. Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to operate equipment, review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Ability to work in an outdoor environment requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods of time. Ability to use all required safety equipment. Body strength to lift and carry equipment and supplies as needed. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. Work Environment: Works primarily in an outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions. Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Machines and equipment used include, but are not limited to the following: Machinery including riding and hand mowers, edgers, weedeaters, backpack blowers, grinders, drills, chainsaws, rototillers; equipment such as tractors, front-end loaders/ backhoes, pick-up trucks, utility vehicles, trailers, snow plows, snow blowers; and hand tools such as wrenches, hammers, paint brushes and rollers, shovels, rakes, pruning shears and saws. Office equipment, including computers. ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified

7 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. te: The above description is illustrative only. It is not meant to be all-inclusive. APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT: OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT: 1101 Arapahoe, 1st Floor Boulder, CO Job # FORESTRY ASSISTANT PL An Equal Opportunity Em ployer Forestry Assistant Supplemental Questionnaire * 1. Do you have a valid driver's license? * 2. Do you have a degree in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture or Natural Resources or a related field? 3. If yes for question #2, Please describe your degree(s). * 4. Do you have a minimum of two years experience in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry or Natural Resources? 5. If yes for question #4, Please describe your experience. * 6. Please describe your previous experience or education with tree identification.

8 * 7. Please describe your previous experience or education with Integrated Pest Management or plant health care programs. * 8. Please describe your previous experience communicating technical information to the public, volunteers or other staff. * 9. Please describe your previous experience with rope and saddle equipment and tree climbing. * 10. Please describe your previous experience with GIS systems, ArcMap or GPS. * 11. Do you have previous experience with Emerald Ash Borer programs? 12. If yes to question #11, please describe your previous experience with Emerald Ash Borer programs. * 13. Are you currently certified through the International Society of Arboriculture as a certified arborist, municipal arborist or tree worker? 14. If yes to question #13, please describe your certification. * 15. Do you have a current pesticide applicators license for Colorado or another state? 16. If no for question #15, do you have the ability to obtain a pesticide applicators license within six months of hire?

9 * Required Question