Urban Forester, City of Palo Alto (Palo Alto, CA)
Deadline: December 30, 2011
The Urban Forester is an exempt position reporting to the Assistant Director, Public Services that will manage the development, implementation, and ongoing management activities of the Urban Forest Management Master Plan program involving trees located in City parks, public rights-of-way, and on private properties.
Acting as a liaison between the City and the Community, this position will represent the Public Works Department on issues concerning the various Urban Forestry programs. The Urban Forester supervises a small staff of thirteen (13) which includes arborists and maintenance personnel involved in planning, engineering, and operations activities associated with tree protection, tree replacement, tree maintenance, and enhancement projects in addition to being responsible for oversight of the 24/7 emergency response line clearing function. Budget oversight responsibility, including out-sourced contracts, is approximately $2.54 million annually.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Urban Forester will have the opportunity to work in the Public Works Department and be dedicated to planting, maintenance, and protection of the City's greatest natural resource, its trees. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join a municipal government and community committed to working together in preserving the natural habitat that enhances the quality of life that citizens, as well as businesses and visitors, have come to know as Palo Alto.
* Directing the daily priorities, work plan, staff, resource allocation, and budget within the Urban Forestry program section;
* Developing and implementing the long-range plans, goals, policies, and procedures for the section;
* Interacting and working closely with local tree advocates and various com- munity groups and other partnership agencies;
* Coordinating section activities with other City departments and outside agencies; meet with various community groups and representatives of other departments to coordinate programs and projects; represent the City on committees, project teams, and to the community;
* Implementing best trail practices related to tree care, planting, maintenance, and removal;
* Encouraging and promoting state-of-the-art technology enhancements for tree cataloging;
* Working closely with the Development Center to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place;
* Developing and monitoring permitting requirements and processes;
* Assessing safety risks for both healthy and diseased trees;
* Developing and monitoring the operating budgets for the section; and explore alternative funding and grants;
* Demonstrated ability to negotiate contracts and agreements;
* Preparation and delivery of effective presentations to the City Council;
* Developing and training staff, analyzing and appraising results, and developing innovations to accomplish objectives and improve performance; assure that employee development programs meet division and employee needs; and
* Developing and directing the dissemination of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to staff, and ensuring compliance.
QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Experience: Seven (7) years of directly related experience, including two (2) years of prior supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Arboricultural Sciences, Urban Forestry, or a closely related field.
Certification / License: Candidates must possess an active Arborist Certificate from the International Society of Arboriculture.
TO APPLY
To be considered, candidates must submit a compelling cover letter, comprehensive resume, five (5) professional references, and salary history via email to apply@ralphandersen.com. Candidates will be required to sign a release form to authorize verifications to be conducted including employment history, degrees obtained, and other certifications. Candidates are asked to apply prior to December 30, 2011.
Related Resource:
City of Palo Alto Urban Forester Recruitment Brochure
