City Forester

City Forester
Job Type: Non-UnionJob Posting: COP-00001-22
Salary: $81,853 — $89,478
Job Grade Level: A20
Department: Parks Department

The City of Providence welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce at all levels of the organization. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit hiring discrimination of any type. All City hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

PLEASE NOTE:
All persons employed by the City of Providence are required to have achieved a fully vaccinated status against the COVID-19 virus prior to February 28, 2022. “Fully vaccinated status” shall be defined as having received the full number of doses required to complete the vaccination series of one of the currently recognized COVID-19 vaccines. Proof of vaccination completion will be required prior to beginning employment with the City.
Job Summary
The Director of Forestry manages the Forestry Division within the City’s Parks Department and guides the vision, protection, and expansion of the urban forest to promote public health, environmental equity and sustainability, and quality of life. The Director of Forestry establishes citywide tree policy, enforces ordinance regulations, establishes tree management priorities and best practices, develops new initiatives, and works with non-profit partners to plant trees and steward the City’s tree canopy.
Duties & Responsibilities * Manages Forestry Division personnel, fleet, and equipment.

• Develops and implements City tree policies. Enforces the public tree regulations contained in the City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 23 ½ – TREES.
• Works with Parks Department management team to protect trees and grow tree canopy in public parks, and other coordinated department initiatives as needed.
• Works directly with other City department personnel, elected officials, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, and State and Federal agencies on tree issues and work that support the City’s forestry program.
• Leads tree-related emergency storm efforts and manages in-house and contractor crews during storm events. Works with Parks Department Directors and other City officials on storm preparedness and response.
• Determines training needs for Forestry Division personnel and schedules trainings to promote staff development, best practices, and crew safety. Promotes adherence to national tree work and safety standards, including A300 and ANSI Z133.
• Reviews development plans with other City Departments for conformance with the City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 27 – ZONING, Article 15 – Trees and Landscaping. Includes inspection and approval for the removal of “significant trees” on private property.
• Prepares specifications and bids for contract work related to City trees; manages, inspects, and approves contractor work; and processes contractor invoices. Includes contracts for tree planting, block pruning, young tree maintenance, emergency storm work, and treatment for pests/diseases.
• Coordinates with local utilities on tree pruning standards, work schedules, and public awareness.
• Manages the urban wood waste facility and programming.

Minimum Qualifications * The ideal candidate has demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial skills, the ability to leverage resources and partnerships, and the vision to build on current programs to achieve a healthier, more equitable urban forest in Providence.

• Experience in urban forest master planning, developing the vision, goals, and strategies to maximize tree canopy, especially in underserved neighborhoods.
• Experience and commitment to citywide tree canopy equity, and working with diverse constituencies.
• Understanding of tree canopy management and assessment technology, including tree inventory databases, urban tree canopy mapping and GIS, i-Tree software, mobile work tools, and other.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban forestry, arboriculture, or a related field and a minimum of five (5) years experience with tree resource management, tree operations management, or the equivalent in training and experience.
• Candidate must hold a RI Arborist License, or International Society of Arboriculture Arborist (ISA) Certification, or equivalent.
• Preferred credentials include ISA Municipal Specialist; graduate of Municipal Forestry Institute of the Society of Municipal Arborists; ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
• Experience assessing mature trees for condition and risk rating.
• Experience working with volunteers, community groups, and not-for-profit organizations on tree planting and stewardship.
• Ability to provide a strategic approach to the delivery of public tree services and urban forestry initiatives, and the implementation of these initiatives.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise work of subordinate personnel, and work with Collective Bargaining Agreement representatives.
• Ability to identify grant opportunities, and experience in grant writing.
• Preferred experience with managing an urban waste wood utilization facility, or developing relevant programs or procedures focusing on wood re-use.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Second language preferred.
• Excellent data presentation and reporting skills.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $81,853.00 - $89,478.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

COVID-19 considerations:
All persons employed by the City of Providence are required to have achieved a fully vaccinated status against the COVID-19 virus.

Work Location: One location