Tree Programs Manager

~ Do you think trees are the answer? Do you agree that trees improve many aspects of our daily lives? Montgomery County is committed to making a real difference in improving the quality of living for our residents and our environment. If you are someone with the desire and skills to make a difference - this is your moment! ~ 

Position Overview 

The person selected for this position will be part of a team in the new Office of Sustainability in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). You will assist in developing, managing, and implementing a variety of tree and forest programs and initiatives for Montgomery County to promote the goals of Montgomery County to save, maintain, and establish tree canopy for the benefit of County residents and future generations.

You will also work closely with the DEP team and contractors to plant canopy trees across the County and in a wide array of locations including yards, multi-family communities, parking lots, and businesses. You will work closely with home owners, business owners, and property managers to provide them with information on tree planting and care, species selection, and the County's tree planting programs. 

This is an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and improve our County one tree at a time. Interested? 

Responsibilities  

The selected individual will be a key part of the DEP team, responsible for the following: 

• Implementing tree planting programs utilizing funds collected as a result of the Tree Canopy Law.
• Developing and implementing outreach and education strategies designed to inform the public about the County's tree planting and conservation programs; and providing information on tree planting techniques, tree care, species selection and related activities. 
• Developing and implementing tracking processes to collect data and develop reports related to tree and forest programs, including information on canopy goals, planting rates, tree mortality, and other data necessary to evaluate the success of the County's tree and forest programs.
• Providing program support for tree related activities, including responding to inquiries from residents and businesses, preparing budget information, and supporting the Forest Conservation Advisory Committee.
• The work requires the individual to perform work and attend meetings at locations outside of the office. 

Qualifications 

• In order to promote and implement tree and forest planting programs and generally increase the awareness by residents and businesses of tree conservation within Montgomery County, the ideal candidate should have a good understanding of and experience with urban forests, trees, tree planting, tree-save measures, canopy conservation, and the benefits of trees; as well as an understanding of state and local regulations related to trees and forests.
• Experience evaluating hazardous trees, as well as familiarity with social media and computer-based tools to communicate with participants in programs, are a plus.
• The ideal candidate must have the ability to work in a collaborative environment within a large organization with multiple priorities, and have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Experience: Considerable 3 years of professional experience in tree planting, inspection or evaluation programs; landscaping; forestry; natural resources management; arboriculture; or tree nursery operations.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree. 
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted. 

Preferred Criteria 

• Your resume must include information specific to the preferred criteria listed below. Make sure that your resume references your knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the preferred criteria. Ideally, the preferred criteria should be addressed in a separate section in your resume. The system only allows for one document to be submitted so your preferred criteria must be part of the resume.
• Experience with and knowledge of tree species, site requirements, planting techniques, and care and maintenance in order to provide guidance to residents and businesses on opportunities to plant new and maintain existing trees on their property. Possession of a Maryland Tree Expert license or certification as an arborist by an accredited program is a plus.
• Experience in directly communicating with individuals, homeowners, business owners, and/or the public, particularly related to trees and tree care.
• Experience directing and monitoring the activities of contractors, particularly tree planting contractors, to ensure effective service delivery to residents and businesses, evaluation of program services, and monitoring of program budgets.
• Experience developing and implementing tracking processes to collect data and develop reports related to tree and forest programs, including information on canopy goals, planting rates, tree mortality, and other data necessary to evaluate the success of tree and forest programs.
• If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.  

Compensation: We offer competitive salaries (this positon has a range of $55,006-$91,109) and excellent benefits.

To Apply  

• Please click below: "Appy Here!" and then click on "Search Jobs." Enter requisition number IRC15901 into the search tool.
• All resume submissions must address the preferred criteria for the position. 
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the "Helpful Hints for Applying for Jobs" link on the Careers webpage to understand the County's application requirements and process.
• This Recruitment Closes February 11, 2015.  

~ Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference. ~