Streetscape Specialist Senior Engineering Tech (LTE)

Bellevue is known as "A City in a Park," with a park system comprised of 2,700 acres of parks and open space.  Bellevue's Parks and Community Services Department has a unique opportunity for you as Streetscape Specialist Engineering Technician. The Street Tree and Arterial Landscape program manages over 11,000 street trees and 200 acres of formal right of way landscapes. We’re looking for an energetic candidate with the desire to grow and learn within our dynamic work group.  

You will work with other team members to manage formal roadside landscaped areas and troubleshoot on-site problems. This includes managing small landscape construction and renovation projects as well as field inspection of contracted landscape maintenance sites and evaluation for compliance with contract. The City of Bellevue primarily utilizes private landscape contractors to maintain arterial landscaping. Duties will include visiting sites to evaluate maintenance activities and future renovation needs, writing reports, and communicating with site contractors. At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and being a part of the community vision. 

This position Performs complex technical work in support of the planning, designing, contracting, permitting, implementation, inspection and long-term maintenance of engineering and construction activities for parks open spaces, development services projects, neighborhood enhancement projects, public works projects and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Functions include but are not limited to work in GIS, data management, drafting, reviewing plans, developing contracts and cost estimates, approving, inspecting, and monitoring public works systems, construction projects, materials, maintaining records and databases. Provides engineering support and assistance to engineering and inspection staff.

• Collect, update, and maintain GIS landscape and irrigation inventory data including information regarding trees, shrubs, soil volumes, irrigation systems, adjacent property information, and other site data as needed.
• Develop and manage maintenance agreements with adjacent property owners regarding street tree pruning, irrigation systems and landscaped frontage improvements maintenance.
• Provide overall project management of various Streetscape CIP projects including coordination of funding opportunities, project design, permitting, contractor selection and contract management.
• Assist with in-house restoration projects as needed that may include plant installation, technical shrub and tree pruning, and irrigation repairs.
• Evaluate sites for overall performance and make recommendations for site renovation including plant materials, soil amendments, irrigation needs, mulches, etc.
• Inspect, evaluate, and assure contracted landscapes are maintained to high community standards.  Ensure that landscape maintenance work is completed in compliance with contract scope, specifications, and workload plans.
• Prepare and maintain site inspections reports.
• Communicate effectively with vendors, contractors, general public, and other city employees to coordinate work activities, review status of work projects, and resolve problems.
• Performs plan review; reviews, enters, tracks and issues permits for a variety of projects and improvements; ensures plans, permits and/or contractor material submittals conform to city, state and federal regulations, codes and standards.
• Conducts field investigations, data collection and monitoring for various programs, projects and assessments; evaluates compliance with federal, state and local policies, codes and regulations.
• Leads projects; drafts and administers contracts; evaluates bids; manages contracted work and ensures projects are on track; inspects projects.
• Coordinates information for programs; develops recommendations and educates staff, contractors and the general public on new regulations, code changes and best practices.
• Research problems, collects and tests data, reviews and updates information for engineering and environmental studies, reports and databases; produces reports and presentations.
• Acts as a resource for citizens; evaluates and responds to citizen concerns based on established policies and regulations; plan and coordinate public involvement and outreach.
• Participates on teams, advisory committees, and commissions.
• Collaborates with and assists staff from other divisions/departments, local jurisdictions, and consulting organizations.

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Works under the general supervision of the streetscape supervisor.
• May oversee or lead the work of less experienced technicians, contracted employees, consultants, and interns.

• Graduation from an accredited two year of college or university in horticulture or a related natural resource field. Previous work experience within the desired field may substitute for college course work.
• Experience working with GIS data management software.
• Five or more years related landscape maintenance or landscape construction labor experience.
• Required to possess a valid Washington driver’s license by date of hire.  Must have and maintain a good driving record according to City standards.  Current original drivers abstract required at time of interview.
• Clear and concise oral and written interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to make decisions necessary to plan, organize, and complete work for multiple project sites efficiently and effectively. Ability to perform effectively with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with citizens, contractors, and staff as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate with the public in a courteous, diplomatic, and professional manner. 
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office application software.
• Criminal History Background check required on all applicants.

Preferred Experience:

• Horticultural background with emphasis on street trees and arterial landscapes.
• Experience with ARC GIS Pro. 
• Experience with managing landscape and irrigation projects.
• Experience with technical shrub pruning and plant selection.
• ISA Arborist Certification.
• Experience working in the Right-Of-Way.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands and work environment 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.
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 70 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• Work may periodically require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• Employee must be willing and able to work outside in all weather conditions. 

Salary : $7,504 - $10,359