Park Forester

Job Summary

Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, parental leave, outstanding health, vision, and dental insurance, a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents to Travis County!

Manage park forestry activities and operations within Travis County Parks lands; Collaborate assigned activities with other Transportation and Natural Resources divisions, outside agencies and the general public; and provides technical assistance to senior management . Responsible for developing, implementing, and managing forestry management plans, including fire management, for all lands under the control of Travis County Parks. Duties will include developing and managing Interlocal Agreements with public agencies within Travis County that are responsible for managing parks and open spaces including identifying and mitigating forest fire risks, invasive species, and risks to the safety of the general public in Travis County.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establishes the organizational structure and oversees the operational activities of the forestry program for the Travis County Parks including, but not limited to the following: forest health, invasive species, public safety, and wildfire risk assessments, mitigation and prevention, budget/policy development administration and reporting; internal and external program collaboration; and, public education and outreach programming.
• Provides information to citizens concerning urban forestry in both oral and written formats. Represents Travis County Parks at meetings, public events and with the media. Educates and conducts presentations to the public.
• Networks Travis County park forestry activities with other departments, outside agencies and organizations having similar responsibilities.
• Participates in the development and administration of approved program budget. Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies. Monitors and approves expenditures. Recommends adjustments as necessary. Prepares policies and guidelines relating to arboricultural and urban forestry practices. Researches information and observes and develops best practices and operating procedures. Evaluates programs for effectiveness, quality assurance and accomplishment of goals.
• Assesses wildfire risks, plans, and implements mechanical or prescribed fire mitigation and control methods on Travis County parks and open space lands in collaboration with appropriate local jurisdictions and emergency service providers.
• Prepares and disseminates information about forestry management on park and open space lands to elected officials, County officials, other governmental officials, and the general public.
• Position may supervise support staff to include recruiting, hiring, counseling, disciplining, recommending termination, evaluation of staff performance, work scheduling, assigning work hours, orienting, training, ensuring compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Prepares short and medium range project plans. Provides input into the development of the Parks Master Plan for individual parks and the park system.
• Compiles and calculates data and information for reports and cost estimates. Performs inventory and condition assessments of Travis County forests and provides recommendations for removing, treating, protecting, replacing, and planting appropriate vegetation.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Forestry and/or a directly related field AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience supervising and coordinating park forestry activities and operations or equivalent.
Preferred: Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in forest management, arboriculture, or a related field of study.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Certified Arborist with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA); Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator License; National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) 130/190 Certification; Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.
Preferred:
Certified Forester by the Society of American Foresters;
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) 130/190 certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Extensive knowledge in the management of an urban forest and land management principals, practices and concepts sufficient to perform all duties associated with managing resource programs within a park and urban setting.
• Supervisory principals, practices and techniques.
• Arboricultural principles and practices, especially as applied to the planting, care and maintenance of indigenous trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation of central Texas.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Familiar with safe use and maintenance of common forestry / landscape management tools and equipment.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures, including emergency medical/first aid, evacuation, and other associated procedures.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary in forestry and/or arboriculture.
• Proficient with computer applications to include: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages, including software applications used in urban forest inventory and management.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

• Project supervision and training of staff, volunteers and contractors.
• Tree inspection and treatment for diseases, parasites, etc.
• Reviewing construction plans, specifications and contracts for compliance with codes and county policy related to trees.
• Application and design of research techniques and the methods of compiling, organizing and reporting data.
• Computer and related software.
• Both verbal and written communication, including conveying and following instructions and providing information to the public.
• Handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Safely operate a wide range of vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Able to participate in prescribed fires on parks and open space lands.
• Analyze emergency situations quickly and accurately and respond with an appropriate course of action.
• Plan, schedule and oversee functions.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Prepare and present written reports.
• Research and provide information, guidance and technical support as needed or requested.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, County employees, officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, carrying, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, lifting, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, viewing monitors and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to extreme temperatures, outside elements, dangerous machinery, noise, fumes, vibration, infectious disease, hazardous chemicals, potential physical harm, contact with dust and insects.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.