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Form of work
SalaryURBAN FORESTER
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Specializes in the care and management of tree populations in the City of Kingston for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Review, plan, issue permits, and inspect landscaping in the field, ensuring compliance with the City of Kingston’s Community Forestry Management Plan. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:The typical work activities listed below, while providing representative examples of the variety of work assignments in the title do not describe any individual position. Incumbents in this title may perform some or all of the following, as well as other related activities not described.
- Implements the City’s Community Forestry Management Plant
- Plan, develop, implement, and oversee tree and shrub maintenance programs, including determination of needs and establishment of priorities.
- Plan, develop, implement, and oversee tree and shrub replacement programs, including the assessment of needs and selection of trees and shrubs for replacement.
- Assess and develop programs for specialized tree maintenance, including chlorosis treatment and determination of high hazard locations.
- Assess and select locations for tree and shrub siting.
- Determine if trees and shrubs on City-owned property are hazardous, and direct removal of hazardous trees and shrubs.
- Oversee contract forestry operations, including on-site inspection and supervision of work.
- Review requests to plant, spray, fertilize, prune, remove, replace, or otherwise disturb trees or shrubs located on City-owned land.
- Issue permits and set standards for permits granted to work that could impact trees or shrubs located on City-owned land.
- Review requests from private citizens for planting of new street trees and approve or deny such requests.
- Serve as an advisor to City of Kingston Commissions, departments and other advisory councils and assists in the development of arboricultural and horticultural rules and regulations.
- Review plans and projects related to the public right of way, City parks, and municipally owned properties.
- Educate staff and the public on arboricultural and horticultural practices and issues.
- Create opportunities for and lead community engagement exercises.
- Work with other City departments to develop and administer educational programs.
- Integrate invasive species management practices.
- Direct, supervise and train staff engaged in forestry activities.
- Prepare a variety of narrative and statistical reports.
- Manage grant funding and apply for new funding.
- Assist the City Planner in preparing the annual department budget relating to forestry operations.
- Be a liaison with NYS regarding training, law-making, mapping, inventorying, grant-making, climate action planning and more.
- Does related work as required.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the modern principles, practices, and techniques of urban forestry; good knowledge of the modern principles, practices and techniques of horticulture; good knowledge of the practices, tools, terminology, equipment, and materials used in tree and shrub planting, maintenance, and removal; ability to plan and develop forestry and horticultural programs; ability to enforce ordinances and regulations in a firm, yet tactful manner; ability to work effectively with people and establish cooperative working relationships; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to train and supervise staff; ability to successfully work with and serve a diverse local community; sound professional judgment; integrity; initiative and resourcefulness; tact and courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or a High School equivalency diploma; AND
- Bachelor's degree in forestry, horticulture or urban forestry or closely related field; OR
- Associate degree in forestry, horticulture or urban forestry or closely related field and two (2) years’ experience in tree working including climbing and spraying trees; OR
- Completion of a high school level vocational course in tree work and four (4) years varied experience in tree work including climbing and spraying trees, OR
- Six (6) years of full-time paid experience or its part-time equivalent, trimming, pruning, felling, planting and/or transplanting trees; OR
- Satisfactory equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), (B), (C) and (D) above.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must obtain “ISA Arborist Certification” issued by the International Society of Arboriculture within twelve (12) months of the date of appointment and must maintain certification throughout employment.
Possession of a valid New York State Class D driver license at time of appointment and maintained throughout employment with a clean driving record.
NOTE:
Bachelor and/or associate degree must be awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.
About City of Kingston:
We are dedicated to recruiting and retaining the most qualified people for positions in local government. Most jobs in local government fall under the Civil Service system. A "Civil Service" employee can be anyone from a secretary, Police Officer, Fire Fighter, a mechanic or a supervisor for a department. Different jobs have different requirements. Some jobs require that you take an examination to be considered for a permanent job. These are called competitive positions. There are three types of positions that have no examination requirements: Exempt positions are those where the employer decides the qualifications of applicants and chooses the person they want to hire. The process is similar to that found in private industry. Non-competitive positions have specific education and experience requirements that you must meet. Employers choose from among the qualified people who apply. Labor positions have no requirements. Employers may choose anyone for these jobs. If you are interested in a position with the City of Kingston, whether it be a tested or non-tested position, you must complete the Application for Examination and Employment which can be found on our website at www.kingston-ny.gov/Employment.
