INTERIM ASSISTANT SUPERTINTENDENT (FORESTRY & BEAUTIFICATION)

This position manages and supervises the daily operations of the Forestry and Beautification Department, which includes the City’s urban forestry, horticulture and right-of-way maintenance programs; performs responsible arboricultural and horticultural work on projects to provide attractive and healthy landscaped areas and road right-of-ways; and performs related professional, supervisory and technical work as required. The incumbent works within broad policy and organizational guidelines and does independent planning and implementation, reporting progress of major activities through periodic conferences and meetings.

The work is considered light in nature and involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis and up to 40 pounds occasionally, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, heights, toxic/caustic chemicals; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. 

• Plans, coordinates, supervises and inspects the daily operations of the Forestry and Beautification Department, including forestry, horticulture and right-of-way maintenance programs;
• Ensures compliance with applicable policies and procedures, laws and regulations, and standards of quality and safety;
• Supervises subordinate staff.  Supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; allocating personnel; and recommending and approving employee discipline and discharge;
• Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance as needed;
• Assists in coordinating staff training and development activities;
• Assists in developing the department budget and in ensuring effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time;
• Researches and recommends equipment purchases;
• Enforces City ordinances regarding trees and landscaping;
• Reviews streetscape plans; makes technical recommendations; supervises and/or conducts inspections of projects to ensure compliance with plans;
• Reviews tree protection plans, encroachment permits and driveway curb permits for compliance with City ordinances; 
• Investigates complaints received regarding tree problems; directs periodic inspections of trees; ensures that City trees are properly cared for in areas where line clearance pruning or private construction projects are under way;
• Coordinates the pruning, maintenance and removal practices for trees on City property; supervises the City’s tree planting and replacement program;
• Prepares project cost estimates;
• Assists in directing the design and installation of new landscape projects on City property, including right-of-ways; develops planting specifications and cost estimates;
• Assists in directing landscape maintenance programs, including fertilization, pest control, and plant selection, installation and care; directs the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems on right-of-ways and City property;
• Assists in directing the City’s vegetation management program on City property and right-of-ways, including grass cutting, manual cutting around sign posts and other obstructions, edging and chemical applications of herbicides;
• Provides staff support for the Columbia Tree and Appearance Commission;
• Supervises responses to requests for emergency assistance, such as fallen trees blocking roads or driveways and/or trees causing damage to real or personal property; operates power tools and heavy machines as necessary in clean-up efforts;
• Prepares and submits various reports to City staff, City Council and other agencies as required;
• Participates in department marketing and public relations efforts; makes public presentations to inform the public about department projects and programs;
• Assists in coordinating department activities and functions with those of other City divisions, departments, County personnel, engineers and development professionals, community / professional / civic groups and outside agencies as appropriate;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Associate’s degree in forestry, urban forestry or closely related;
• Five (5) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid South Carolina Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License within twelve (12) months from date of hire; 
• Must possess or be able to obtain ISA Certified Arborist designation within twelve (12) months from date of hire.

• Knowledge of mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes;
• Ability to plan or direct others in the sequence of major activities and reporting on operations and activities which are very broad in scope;

• Ability to counsel or instruct/train others through explanation, demonstration and supervised practice or making, tools or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience, such as computers and complex software systems;
• Ability to perform work involving the application of principles of logical thinking to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organizational impact;
• Ability to read journals, manuals and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, the general public, people in other organizations; presenting training; composing original reports, training and other written materials using proper language, punctuation, grammar and style;
• Ability to perform professional-level work requiring the application of principles and practices in a wide range of administrative, technical or managerial methods in the solution of administrative or technical problems; or the coordination of entry-level managerial work; requires general understanding of operating policies and procedures and the ability to apply these to complex administrative problems; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures; and
• Ability to make decisions, affecting a large segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment; responsible to assist in developing policy and practices.

Salary : $57,458 - $73,259