City Arborist

City of Meridian Published: November 26, 2019
Location
Meridian, ID
Skill Level
Mid Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Natural Resources/ Restoration / Climate Change
(Number of Job Posting Views: 22)

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Description

~ The City of Meridian is the second-largest city in the State of Idaho and is the next-door neighbor to the City of Boise, the State capital. ~

Though the City has a long rural history in the state centered around farming and dairy, we have experienced a great deal of growth during the past decade and have consistently been recognized in various publications as "the best place to live, work and raise a family" in the State, region and even nationally.We have a strong culture in the City that revolves around our CARE values, demonstrated externally with citizens as well as internally between employees. CARE stands for Customer Service, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

Job Summary

The City Arborist is responsible for all aspects of Community Forestry in the City as required by the Meridian Forestry Ordinance, the Meridian Landscape Ordinance and the Meridian Parks Department.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties:

  • Promote the general welfare of the City by performing the duties of the City Arborist as defined in section 13-2-11 of the Meridian City Code;
  • Preserve and enhance the City’s environmental, economic and social character with mature trees.
  • Protect public safety, health and welfare;
  • Encourage site and utility planning, building, and development practices to prevent indiscriminate destruction of trees and avoid unnecessary disturbance to trees within the City and its area of impact;
  • Supervise full time and seasonal maintenance crews, including working on special construction projects, ensuring proper staffing;
  • Performs personnel training in technical aspects of horticulture, landscape, fertilizing, herbicides, and documenting all maintenance records;
  • Plans, supervises, and evaluates the work of assigned personnel, monitoring work schedules, interviewing for new vacant positions, providing direction when necessary;
  • Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions as required, and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
  • Communicates with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations.
  • Maintain trees in a healthy, non-hazardous condition through the application of tree care standards in ANSI Z 133.1 and A300;
  • Establish and maintain appropriate species diversity and age classes in order to provide a stable and sustainable community forest;
  • Establish a process by which trees are to be planted, pruned, removed and sprayed;
  • Implement the tree-related goals and objectives of the City’s Comprehensive Plan;
  • Continue to meet the qualification to be a Tree City USA every year;
  • Develop, administer and maintain a Community Forestry Management Plan;
  • Manage the Downtown Meridian tree well maintenance and replacement program;
  • Administer a program of public outreach and education relating to Community Forestry and the planting and care of trees;
  • Establish and maintain an inventory of all public trees;
  • Establish and maintain a Community Forestry budget contained within the Parks Department budget;
  • Maintain park trees in a healthy, pest and disease free condition;
  • Review and provide comment on development application when such applications are submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department;
  • Work with the Community Development Department and/or Code Enforcement, as appropriate to protect existing trees retained on new construction sites from damage during construction;
  • Participate in the planning, design, development and construction of new parks;
  • Organize and carry out volunteer projects in the Parks Department;
  • Plan and organize Yearly Arbor Day Celebrations;
  • Plan, organize and arrange for the yearly delivery and set up of the Christmas tree to Generations Plaza;
  • Administer projects and be directly involved in park maintenance and forestry operations;
  • Maintenance and operation of park and forestry equipment;
  • Responsible for all tools and machinery utilized in the course of daily work schedule;
  • Be directly involved in planting, pruning, removal and spraying of park trees;
  • Available for weekend work; and
  • Performs other tasks as assigned or needed.

Tools and Equipment Used:

  • Pick up truck, trailer, chain saw, stump grinder and power spray equipment;
  • Miscellaneous manual and power tools for park maintenance.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of modern park resource development and management practices; arboriculture, horticulture, construction, integrated pest management, water conservation, rights of way;
  • Knowledge of administrative skills and experience related to municipal budget development procedures and protocol; partnership development; contract development and administration;
  • Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations;
  • Knowledge of program development, implementation and administration; professional office procedures and computer operations;
  • Must display an attitude of cooperation and the ability to work well with others;
  • Ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with respect to other employees, supervisors and the general public;
  • Ability to perform essential duties of the position;
  • Ability to work as a team player; and
  • Integrity, in the performance of assigned tasks.

Job Specifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Forestry, Parks and Recreation Management or related field; and
  • 5 years professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Licensing/Certifications:

  • Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License;
  • Possession of a certificate from the International Society of Arboriculture, “Certified Arborist”;
  • Ability to obtain within one year of employment a Professional Applicators license from ISDA; and
  • A Municipal Specialist Certification as offered by the International Society of Arboriculture, preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

  • Regularly performs outdoor work in extreme weather conditions for extended periods at times;
  • Regularly works near maintenance equipment;
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually loud;
  • Occasionally may be exposed to humid conditions;
  • Frequently requires driving a motor vehicle or maintenance equipment;
  • Occasionally requires lifting and moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves more than 100 pounds; and
  • Occasionally works with potentially harmful chemicals.

Travel Requirements:

  • Drive a City motor vehicle to park sites; and
  • Must hold a valid State of Idaho driver’s license and a safe driving record.

Compensation

Salary Range:$3,985.44 - $5,976.35 per month, DOE.

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