What are the responsibilities and job description for the Urban Forester position at City of Tumwater?
JOB
Tumwater is a vibrant community, rich in history, community, and opportunity.Nestled into the base of Puget Sound, Tumwater is the southern gateway to the Seattle/Tacoma metropolitan area. It’s just a little over an hour from the Pacific Ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier with beautiful landscapes of prairie, river, estuary, and lush green trees. With its central location, Tumwater is a picturesque Northwest community with convenient access to arts, cultural and outdoor recreation.Our vision is to create a future that is highly livable with diverse and engaged residents, a strong economy, and a healthy natural environment. Safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and a sense of community pride make Tumwater a great place to live, work, and play.The City of Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department seeks a qualified individual to fill the position of Urban Forester. This position leads efforts to maintain and enhance the City urban and community forest including planning, implementing, coordinating, and operation of urban forestry initiatives and programs. Provides technical expertise on public and private tree-related concerns and is responsible for implementing the City Urban Forestry program. The selected individual will assist with the administration of a broad range of local land use and development codes and support city planning and policy development with technical expertise in urban forestry. This position is expected to spend approximately 60% of their time in an office and 40% of their time in the field.*Job posting will be open until position is filled. Review of applications will begin February 3, 2025.*
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Join our team of dedicated public servants and make a difference.The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to: Urban Forestry Management Plan Implementation Assist in implementing the City Urban Forestry Management Plan, including any future updatesServe as an alternate Staff Liaison to the Tumwater Tree Board and other urban forestry policy and technical teamsLeads and implements programs to maintain and enhance the City tree canopy including tree planting and distribution programsSupports advancing best practices in Urban Forestry including Right Tree Right PlaceConducts education and outreach on urban forestry topicsMaintain the City Tree City USA accreditation and assist in planning the Annual Arbor Day celebrationCoordinates volunteer tree-planting events with the City Volunteer Coordinator and Water Resources Specialist (Habitat & Outreach)Provides professional horticultural and landscape advice to community members as neededCoordinates and administers the City Heritage Tree programManages the River Foundation grant and all deliverables therein that funds the Urban Forestry WorkKeeps a log of hours spent specifically in disadvantaged communities or working towards tree equityPermit and Development Application ReviewSupports Code Enforcement, landscape plan review, ordinance development, inspections, and other land use planning related to treesUnderstand and administer tree, soil and native vegetation protection and replacement standards to land development applications such as site plans, land use review, civil engineering, and building permit applicationsManage City-owned Urban Forest in coordination with other DepartmentsDirects, supervises, and trains staff engaged in forestry activitiesPromote the proper management of trees on City-owned propertiesVisits nurseries and selects tree species for planting projects throughout the CitySupervises tree planting and maintenance in coordination with other City Departments as requiredProvides professional horticultural, forestry, and landscape advice/expertise to other City DepartmentsPerforms field site visits to conduct tree health/quality assessments on City properties; recommends treatment plans to correct problems identified as neededPrepare staff reports and other documents that clearly and accurately convey complex information to the public, advisory commissions, and City CouncilMaintains City tree inventory dataPerforms related duties and responsibilities as required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Supplemental InformationContacts: This position will have significant daily contact with the public for the purpose of information-sharing and problem resolution. Due to the subject matter, some contacts may be confrontational, requiring the Urban Forester to explain City policies and procedures in a professional, concise, and respectful manner. The Urban Forester will also have daily contact with other City staff for the purpose of information sharing, work coordination, and problem resolution. Additional contacts with public officials are for the purpose of information gathering and project definition. Contacts with public officials are usually held in a public meeting forum.Supervision: May assist in the training and/or supervision of less experienced staff. However, general supervision is not required as a part of this job.Accountability: The Urban Forester reports to the Sustainability Manager under the guidance of the Water Resources & Sustainability Department Director. The Urban Forester is accountable for completing all assigned work in a timely, professional manner. Working Conditions: The Urban Forester will generally work in an office with a significant portion of time spent performing duties out-of-doors completing site investigations. Investigations require working on construction sites, rough terrain, in wetlands, boating, and being in the proximity of heavy equipment. Periodic travel and attendance at meetings, continuing education, and conferences, both during regular working hours and in the evening, are required.Physical requirements: Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 poundsMay be subject to walking, standing, sitting, reaching, bending, kneeling and handling. Climbing is not anticipated. Specific physical requirements and typical working conditions for this position are on file in the Administrative Services Department. The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
Tumwater is a vibrant community, rich in history, community, and opportunity.Nestled into the base of Puget Sound, Tumwater is the southern gateway to the Seattle/Tacoma metropolitan area. It’s just a little over an hour from the Pacific Ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier with beautiful landscapes of prairie, river, estuary, and lush green trees. With its central location, Tumwater is a picturesque Northwest community with convenient access to arts, cultural and outdoor recreation.Our vision is to create a future that is highly livable with diverse and engaged residents, a strong economy, and a healthy natural environment. Safe neighborhoods, quality schools, and a sense of community pride make Tumwater a great place to live, work, and play.The City of Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department seeks a qualified individual to fill the position of Urban Forester. This position leads efforts to maintain and enhance the City urban and community forest including planning, implementing, coordinating, and operation of urban forestry initiatives and programs. Provides technical expertise on public and private tree-related concerns and is responsible for implementing the City Urban Forestry program. The selected individual will assist with the administration of a broad range of local land use and development codes and support city planning and policy development with technical expertise in urban forestry. This position is expected to spend approximately 60% of their time in an office and 40% of their time in the field.*Job posting will be open until position is filled. Review of applications will begin February 3, 2025.*
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Join our team of dedicated public servants and make a difference.The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to: Urban Forestry Management Plan Implementation Assist in implementing the City Urban Forestry Management Plan, including any future updatesServe as an alternate Staff Liaison to the Tumwater Tree Board and other urban forestry policy and technical teamsLeads and implements programs to maintain and enhance the City tree canopy including tree planting and distribution programsSupports advancing best practices in Urban Forestry including Right Tree Right PlaceConducts education and outreach on urban forestry topicsMaintain the City Tree City USA accreditation and assist in planning the Annual Arbor Day celebrationCoordinates volunteer tree-planting events with the City Volunteer Coordinator and Water Resources Specialist (Habitat & Outreach)Provides professional horticultural and landscape advice to community members as neededCoordinates and administers the City Heritage Tree programManages the River Foundation grant and all deliverables therein that funds the Urban Forestry WorkKeeps a log of hours spent specifically in disadvantaged communities or working towards tree equityPermit and Development Application ReviewSupports Code Enforcement, landscape plan review, ordinance development, inspections, and other land use planning related to treesUnderstand and administer tree, soil and native vegetation protection and replacement standards to land development applications such as site plans, land use review, civil engineering, and building permit applicationsManage City-owned Urban Forest in coordination with other DepartmentsDirects, supervises, and trains staff engaged in forestry activitiesPromote the proper management of trees on City-owned propertiesVisits nurseries and selects tree species for planting projects throughout the CitySupervises tree planting and maintenance in coordination with other City Departments as requiredProvides professional horticultural, forestry, and landscape advice/expertise to other City DepartmentsPerforms field site visits to conduct tree health/quality assessments on City properties; recommends treatment plans to correct problems identified as neededPrepare staff reports and other documents that clearly and accurately convey complex information to the public, advisory commissions, and City CouncilMaintains City tree inventory dataPerforms related duties and responsibilities as required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Supplemental InformationContacts: This position will have significant daily contact with the public for the purpose of information-sharing and problem resolution. Due to the subject matter, some contacts may be confrontational, requiring the Urban Forester to explain City policies and procedures in a professional, concise, and respectful manner. The Urban Forester will also have daily contact with other City staff for the purpose of information sharing, work coordination, and problem resolution. Additional contacts with public officials are for the purpose of information gathering and project definition. Contacts with public officials are usually held in a public meeting forum.Supervision: May assist in the training and/or supervision of less experienced staff. However, general supervision is not required as a part of this job.Accountability: The Urban Forester reports to the Sustainability Manager under the guidance of the Water Resources & Sustainability Department Director. The Urban Forester is accountable for completing all assigned work in a timely, professional manner. Working Conditions: The Urban Forester will generally work in an office with a significant portion of time spent performing duties out-of-doors completing site investigations. Investigations require working on construction sites, rough terrain, in wetlands, boating, and being in the proximity of heavy equipment. Periodic travel and attendance at meetings, continuing education, and conferences, both during regular working hours and in the evening, are required.Physical requirements: Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 poundsMay be subject to walking, standing, sitting, reaching, bending, kneeling and handling. Climbing is not anticipated. Specific physical requirements and typical working conditions for this position are on file in the Administrative Services Department. The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
