Urban Forestry Program Manager

City of Davis

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of the City-wide urban forestry program; develops and implements an urban forest management program involving trees and shrubs located in City parks and public rights-of-way; provides technical advice and training related to tree and landscape maintenance activities; plans, coordinates, and directs vendor contract crews for tree management activities; manages the effective use of program resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Public Works Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Public Works Director or designee. Exercises direct supervision over technical staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a program manager classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, operations, and activities of the urban forest program in the Public Works, Utilities and Operations Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include program budget administration, program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of plans, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to urban forestry programs. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only) Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the urban forestry management program including the maintenance, removal, and planting of trees and shrubs. Participates in the development and implementation of plans, goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the program; recommends within program policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures. Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of program budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding. Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement. Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures. Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality. Develops and maintains street tree inventory data and prepares work programs and planting specifications for the street tree program. Acts as liaison with other City Departments, public agencies, and private organizations to coordinate policies and procedures relating to tree preservation, maintenance or replacement. Represents the City in meetings with City commissions, community groups, and the public; attends professional workshops, seminars, and conferences. Identifies insect and plant diseases in trees and prescribe treatment methods to eradicate problems. Performs field evaluations and resident tree consultations. Reviews commercial tree planting plans, landscape projects, and irrigation systems; assists in recommending landscaping design. As necessary, operates a variety of vehicles and specialized tree trimming equipment; performs field duties such as staking, tree trimming, pruning, planting, and debris clean-up. Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards. Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate. Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary. Serves as liaison to the Tree Commission. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in urban forestry management; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs. Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval. Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official program files. Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of a comprehensive urban forestry program including tree planting, species selection, maintenance, soil science, and tree pruning. Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management. Principles and practices of budget development and administration. Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. Principles and practices of leadership. Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility. Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility. Principles and practices of contract administration and management. Integrated pest management techniques. Mathematical principles. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Operation and maintenance of hand and power tools, City vehicles, and power equipment. Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. Recent and ongoing developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned program. Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence. City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, oversee, and manage the staff and operations of the urban forestry management program. Provide scientific and technical advice and assistance on problems relating to street and park tree and landscape maintenance, preservation, and protection. Develop and implement plans, goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards. Prepare and administer program budget; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner. Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the program. Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner. Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods. Detect insect and plant diseases and prescribe corrective action to eradicate problems. Read and interpret construction and landscaping plans. Collect, update, and utilize tree inventory data. Perform mathematical calculations. Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations. Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques. Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner. Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports. Effectively represent the program and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals. Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems. Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines. Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in arboriculture, forestry, botany, park administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban forestry management, of which three (3) years should be in a supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment. Possession of, or successful acquisition within the probationary period, a valid professional arborist certification designated by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), to be maintained throughout employment. Possession of, or successful acquisition within the probationary period, of a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification designated by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Highly desirable: Wildlife Aware Arborist Certification Possession of a valid California Commercial Pest Applicator's license Physical Demands When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision and color vision to read printed materials, a computer screen, and evaluate trees; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. Environmental Elements Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Working Conditions Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.