City Forester (Forester)

  City of Ames

  Ames, Iowa, United States

Under the direction of the Parks and Facilities Superintendent, leads and performs work necessary to maintain healthy urban forests and trees in City right-of-way, parks, and other City owned property; performs related work as required. 

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline. 

The City Forester will have the responsibility of managing all municipal trees including over 15,000 rightof-way trees, thousands of park trees, and multiple mature woodland areas in the City of Ames. Ames covers approximately 26 square miles with a population of over 60,000 residents. This position will oversee the implementation of the Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan, Park Woodland Management Plan, and will be responsible for keeping the tree inventory updated, which was originally completed in 2012. The individual hired for this position will need to possess excellent communication skills including verbal and written in order to train and direct the work of full and part time staff as well as volunteers. This individual may also be required to present to City Council, City Departments, Developers, Neighborhood groups and others. 

Examples of Essential Job Functions: 

Examples of Essential Job Functions: Plans, coordinates, and oversees the work of contractors and City employees for tree planting, tree pruning, tree removal, and chemical application. Develops, implements, and reviews staff training related to safety, chainsaw operation, tree pruning and trimming, tree removal, etc. Develops and maintains an inventory of trees on City property to include species, condition, location, maintenance records, etc. Oversees the implementation of the City's Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan and Urban Forest Diversification and Reforestation Program. Inspects trees for diseases, insect pests, and hazards to public safety. Oversees City contracts as it relates to tree removal, planting, and maintenance. Coordinates volunteer work projects. Monitors and inspects work of contractors and City personnel performing work relating to trees. Ensures and directs staff to utilize safe work practices. Communicates with the public regarding tree management initiatives and City policies related to trees. Evaluates proposed tree planting plans for City properties and new developments to ensure compliance with adopted policies and the principles of modern urban forest management. Issues Street Tree Planting Permits. Coordinates and participates in tree planting, pruning, removal, and application of fertilizers and pesticides as needed. Operates a variety of equipment in support of essential tree maintenance functions. Coordinates and/or performs routine preventative maintenance to equipment. May work nights, evenings, or weekends when inclement weather, emergencies, or other situations require working these hours. Assists in the preparation of reports and budgets. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Other Job Functions: Participates in landscaping activities as required. Assists in maintenance of plants and turf as needed. Assists with snow removal. 

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement, inspiring creativity and innovation, being customer driven, making data-driven decisions, championing employee involvement, striving for excellence, having fiscal stewardship, acting with honesty and integrity, exhibiting leadership, choosing a positive attitude, respecting one another, promoting safety and wellness, and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment. 

Qualifications: 

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture, Forest Management, Horticulture, or related field and three years of experience in urban forestry required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Licenses and Certifications: Must possess a valid type A Commercial Driver's License within 6 months of appointment. Must obtain an Iowa Pesticide Applicators License (3OT and Category 6) within 3 months of appointment. Must become International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, and ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, within two years of employment. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Good knowledge of the types and uses of tools and equipment common to tree care (powered and manual); knowledge of the names and characteristics of shade and ornamental trees common to central Iowa; knowledge of hazard tree assessment and abatement methods; knowledge of tree pests and diseases and their remedies; knowledge of principles and practices of tree planting; knowledge of the materials and standard equipment used in general maintenance, construction, and repair work; extensive knowledge of the precautions necessary to work safely with and around mechanized equipment. Skill in the use of power and manual tools; skill in safely felling trees and limbs. 

Working ability to lead a small crew of manual laborers; working ability to perform manual tasks involving physical strength and endurance under variable weather conditions; ability to understand and carry out specific verbal and written instructions; ability to read schematic designs such as landscape designs; ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and the public in both oral and written formats. 

Supplemental Information: 

Required Physical Activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Characteristics of Work: The work involves sitting and using arm/leg controls 20% of the time, standing and walking 30% of the time, standing but not walking 30% of the time, sitting 20% of the time (including using a computer); frequently lifting objects under 10 pounds, occasionally lifting objects up to 50 pounds and infrequently lifting objects over 50 pounds. 

Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals with machines such as power saws where the sawing job is at or within arm's reach; use of cars, trucks, and high lift equipment; preparing and analyzing data and figures; using computers; visual inspection of small parts, insects, and plant characteristics. 

Environmental Conditions: The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions including extreme cold, heat, noise, vibration, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin; darkness or poor lighting conditions, oils and isolation. Work at heights while operating chain saws or other tools. 

Selection Process 
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience, thorough completion of the application, a 70% or better score of an evaluation of responses to the supplemental questions included with the application form, phone interview, and an on-site visit which will include an oral board interview to determine civil service eligibility, meetings with staff members, tour, lunch with staff members, and a manager meeting. The selection process will include candidates taking the predictive index prior to the onsite visit. Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews. 
**Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.** 

The selection process will also include completion of a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check, and physical. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status. 

Additional Comments: 
The individual that is hire d will be required to live within a twelve-mile radius of City Hall. May work nights,evenings, or weekends when inclement weather, emergencies, or other situations require working these hours. Preferred start date is the week of November 20. 

E-Verify Process: 
The City of Ames pa rticipates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 toconfirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents as soon as possible after the job offer has been made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov. 

Compensation

Salary:
$25.53 - $36.87 Hourly
$53,106.00 - $76,689.00 Annually

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