Job Description

Arborist

Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: $55,000

City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation

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Summary

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking an Arborist to join our Arborist Division in the Office of Natural Resources. The Arborist’s primary job duties include responding to requests for inspections of trees on City property, performing tree risk and health assessments on City property according to industry standard BMPs, scheduling any necessary tree work with the City’s Forestry Division or contractors, reviewing requests for permits to perform tree work on trees on City property, and reviewing construction documents submitted to the Department of Parks and Recreation for compliance with the City of Atlanta’s Tree Protection Ordinance. The Arborist must ensure that best-in-class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers, and must embrace, support, and promote the City’s core values, beliefs, and culture.

Additional duties include but are not limited to, editing and analyzing tree inventory data; supervising staff; directing activities; reviewing plans; addressing groups and communicating with parties both internal and external to the City of Atlanta; conducting quality assurance; processing associated paperwork and preparing reports; and data entry. This position requires an experienced arborist capable of carrying out most assignments typical of the profession with limited guidance or review. This level would be considered a promotional level and attainable by any incumbents in a work group who demonstrates the necessary knowledge, ability, and performance.

Supervision Received 

Works under very general supervision and reports to the Arboricultural Manager – Operations, Arborist Division, Office of Natural Resources, Department of Parks and Recreation. Work is mostly independent, but occasionally relies upon working with other skilled or semi-skilled workers with responsibility for completion of assigned tasks. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.

Forestry Services Coordination:

• Risk Management - Inspect public property trees as requested through Office of Parks Customer Service, then report risk assessment findings in the City’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. As needed, create work orders to prune trees, remove trees, perform other arboricultural prescriptions, remove stumps, and plant trees.
• Proactive Maintenance - Scout work for the Forestry Division, thereby mitigating or abating risk from unreported dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous public property trees. Complete maintenance tasks as needed including planting trees, pruning trees, removing invasive vines from trees, removing piled soil/mulch from trunk/root flare, removing watering bags/arbor tie, etc.
• Emergency Response – Scout and assess downed trees and coordinate forestry resources during storm events or after storm events to clear rights-of-way for emergency responders.
• Reforestation - Audit tree plantings to ensure survival or warrantied replacement of third-party tree installations, either as contracted or statutory. Utilizes Atlanta’s Urban Tree Canopy Assessment data, Atlanta’s Heat + Flood Risk Assessment data, and other related data to identify priority areas and species for tree planting.
• Municipal Arboriculture- Establish and review arboricultural standards for the installation and maintenance of trees on public property. Manage public property trees in various stages of lifecycle. Update GIS-based tree inventory as work is assigned and completed. Ensure arboricultural and forestry services meet objectives in City of Atlanta’s City Design: Nature, Urban Forest Master Plan, DPR’s Activate ATL Master Plan, and DPR’s Natural Resource Management Plan as applicable.
• Vegetation and Integrated Pest Management - Coordinate with Natural Areas Division and Arboricultural Manager – Natural Areas and Land Management for invasive species control/suppression. 

Community Relations:

• Customer Service - Offer extension services to the public and civic leadership concerning arboriculture/forestry or specific code issues. This includes phone contacts, e-mails, meetings, and public presentations. Provide prompt replies to emails and phone calls from internal and external customers inquiries regarding tree related issues.
• Education - Provide expert knowledge for urban forestry, parks, and greenspace. Addresses civic groups, schools, garden clubs, and responds to questions regarding trees in general and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 
• Outreach - Promote community-based environmental services and sustainability measures.
• Government Service Guide (Closing the Service Loop) – To the best of the Arborist’s ability, help citizens navigate various City Departments and Offices to locate agents best suited to answer questions or provide services.

Code Enforcement:

• Permitting - Apply the Tree Protection Ordinance for permitting removal of public property trees in the City’s permitting system database. This includes the codified steps of Pre-Construction Conference, Document Review, Posting for Public Appeal, and Approval. Reviews site plans from Office of Buildings and issues permits for tree removal. Oversees tree replacement and protection of existing trees. Works with developers, architects, engineers, and contractors regarding site planning to save trees. Provide testimony at tree appeal hearings as needed.
• Issue Citations for Code Violations - Serve as an A.P.D.-sworn Code Enforcement Agent for Sections 158 (Tree Protection Ordinance) of the Atlanta Municipal Code.
• Property Research – Per Code, determine ownership and liability of trees by taking site measurements and referencing cadastral maps, property deeds, court filings, and the City’s GIS records. 

Arboricultural Expertise:

• Policy Compilation - Update records for National Recreation and Parks Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) documentation (Section 7.9 Natural Resource Management Plan) and other applicable documents through tracking and maintaining records of City of Atlanta Environmental Policies. Assist in CAPRA re-certification and updates to the Urban Forest Master Plan as applicable.
• Policy Resource - Review pertinent State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division codes, municipal codes, zoning maps, professional manuals, trade journals, Federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and other publications to maintain Departmental compliance and provide a working knowledge base for co-workers, other government agencies, and all Atlantans.
• Expert Witness - Appear before the Tree Conservation Commission for appeals on administrative decisions, or in Atlanta Municipal Court for enforcement actions related to Code violations.
• Public Relations (as directed by DPR Communications) - Answer media inquiries with accurate and precise information concerning tree issues.
• Professional Certification and Expertise – Attain and maintain professional certifications. Keep expertise current through seminars, classes, and other education opportunities. Must maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification.

Decision Making

Applies organizational policies. Follows standardized procedures and written instructions to accomplish assigned tasks.  Must be able to process information on hand and decide on next steps to complete tasks and/or resolve issues.  Determines when to escalate issues to upper/senior management

Leadership Provided

Provides guidance and training as required to volunteers, contractors, interns, staff, etc. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities  This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list. 

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of best-in-class customer service.
• Knowledge of City’s overall permitting operations, codes, services, and procedures.
• Knowledge of urban forestry, practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
• Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to tree-related issues and other responsibilities in serving as City Arborist.

Skills:

• Perform a variety of difficult and complex permit related tasks with minimal supervision.
• Has good organizational, and technical skills. Is able to read, understand, and interpret, development plans, architectural plans, reports, and related materials. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations.
• Perform duties through using independent judgment and make sound decisions in accordance with established procedures and policies. 

Ability:

• Ability to learn the principles, practices, and procedures of the City and various department operations and functions.
• Ability to assist in the developing and implementing of long-term goals for the Department to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to keep abreast of changes in policy, methods, operations, and standards of practice, etc. as they pertain to Departmental operations.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with management, employees, and members of the general public.
• Ability to assemble information and make written report and documents in concise, clear, and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in handling emergency situations.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations and related information.
• Ability to assist in developing and implementing long-term goals for the department in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to read a variety of professional, technical, and administrative documentation, directions, instructions, methods, and procedures.
• Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities, executing immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

• Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture, Forestry, Horticulture, or related field.
• 1 year of work experience in urban forestry as an ISA Certified Arborist.
• Must pass a background check to hold Atlanta Police Department issued Code Enforcement Credentials within 6 months – 1 year of employment commencement.

Preferred Qualifications 

• 3+ years of work experience in urban forestry as an ISA Certified Arborist.
• Experience in tree risk assessment
• Experience reading and interpreting technical drawing and plans
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online

Licensures and Certifications

• Required: Must possess a valid Georgia Driver's License
• Required: International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist
• Preferred:  International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification 

Essential Capabilities and Work Environment

Arborist field work requires physical fitness for traversing wilderness terrain; lifting; climbing; for performing First Aid and CPR; for hands-on forestry work such as tree planting, tree pruning, or invasive plant control. Work environments include rights-of-way where situational awareness is essential to safety.

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