Assistant City Forester (Forester)

Full Time

  City of Springfield

  Springfield, Massachusetts, United States

Position Purpose/Summary

Under administrative direction of City Forester, participate and supervise a City-wide program of care and maintenance of trees on public properties, parks, greenbelts and forested areas of the City; to assist with the implementing of the City's urban forestry plans; to prepare and implement a public relations program to protect and preserve the City's forest resources; and to do related work as required. Must be available for emergency callout duties after normal working hours and on weekends.

Essential Functions
  • Schedules and supervises, as well as participates in, the inspection, planting, removal, pruning, trimming and maintenance of trees on City property
  • Supervises the trimming of trees by public utilities for clearance from utility lines
  • Instructs personnel in good forestry practices; inspects trees for pests and disease and schedules spraying or treatment operations
  • Keeps abreast of developments of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides; diagnose tree and plant diseases; makes chemical tests of soil to determine treatment needed to promote tree or plant health and growth
  • Prepares budget requests for forestry programs
  • Supervises maintenance of tree and plant nursery stock; requisition and purchasing of materials
  • Uses safe working methods in operation of equipment
  • Makes tree surveys
  • Implements a public relations program for forest resources, prepares press releases and public information; preparation, maintenance and implementation of forestry management plan, to include tree trimming and care, site improvement, tree plantings and removals
  • Prepare and maintain an inventory of tree population by species and age groups within the City and a general survey of trees on private property within the City
  • Drafts reports and prepares contract specifications, solicit bids, monitors contract work in the field
  • Administer payments to contractors; may act for the Urban Forester in their absence under the direction of the Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation. 
  • Performs related work as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of tree trimming and safety practices and equipment used in tree climbing including aerial lift truck
  • Knowledge of plant and tree diseases and pests, and their eradication and control; knowledge of modern supervisory methods
  • Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of power equipment and tools used in tree work
  • Ability to prepare, present, implement and enforce the City's Tree Protection Ordinance
  •  Ability to prepare contract specifications.
  •  Ability to schedule, supervise and participate in the work of several crews
  •  Ability to make chemical tests of soils
  • Ability to instruct others in the safe use of tree and plant maintenance tools and equipment
  • Ability to present information verbally and in writing
  • Ability to maintain records of activities
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
Education and Experience
  • Any combination equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Forestry or related field, including courses in arboriculture and horticulture, specializing in urban forestry
  • Five years in a supervisory capacity in tree and grounds care and maintenance.
Agency
City of Springfield