City Forester

JOB LOCATION

Cityof AuroraColorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora were growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles or core values that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:IntegrityRespect Professionalism andCustomer Service and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• WellFunded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• Onsite fitness center and overall employee wellbeing programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Anticipated hiring salary: $86910.72 $108 638.40/year

Full salary range: $86910.72 $135798.00/year

The deadline to submit an application for this position is Friday May 16 2025. However it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is received.

The City Forester oversees the management of the citys urban forestry program focusing on maintaining and enhancing the urban tree canopy. This role involves strategic planning development review supervision of staff and community engagement to promote environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life for residents.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the citywide urban forestry program which is responsible for the maintenance and care of approximately 70000 public and rightofway trees the enforcement of municipal codes pertaining to tree protection and preservation the review of citywide development/utility plans regarding trees and education and outreach programs.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of work plans based on the annual and strategic plans. Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives.
• Oversee tree inventories and assessments to maintain a healthy urban forest.
• Oversee tree planting pruning removal and disease management activities.
• Ensure compliance with local state and federal regulations concerning urban forestry.
• Recruit hire train and evaluate forestry and PROS staff.
• Provide professional development and training programs to ensure a highperforming team.
• Assign direct and schedule work for 20 full time staff and 4 variable hour staff positions monitor performance and initiate disciplinary actions as needed.
• Educate the public on the benefits of urban forestry and engage with community organizations.
• Organize and participate in community events such as tree planting and conservation activities.
• Act as a liaison between the city and the public on matters related to urban forestry.
• Develop and manage budgets for urban forestry operations
• Manage $500000 annually in contracted services
• Monitor expenditures manage inventory and purchase necessary supplies and equipment.
• Seek funding opportunities and grants to support forestry initiatives.
• Develop and enforce policies related to tree preservation and urban forestry.
• Participate in the development review process to ensure compliance with tree preservation ordinances.
• Implement safety protocols and conduct safety inspections for parks and street trees.
• Respond to emergencies such as storm damage or disease outbreaks affecting the urban forest.
• Establish good working relationships with other city agencies both public and private. Works collaboratively with other organizations and departments; confers regularly with other supervisors and managers. Foster collaborative relationships that benefit PROS.
• Maintains records; prepares a variety of operational and business reports and associated correspondence.
• Participate as a member of the management team.
• Assists with special events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge skills and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Bachelors degree in forestry ornamental horticulture natural resources or a related field.

Experience:

• At least five years of relevant professional experience with a minimum of three years in a supervisory role.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge in green infrastructure trees and construction urban wood utilization urban heat mitigation and climatesmart management tree selection plant health care emergency management plan review and ecosystem services.
• Principles and practices of supervision and leadership including work planning assignment review evaluation discipline and training.
• Proper horticultural practices related to parks plants trees and shrubs including species identification and disease management.
• Relevant laws rules regulations policies and procedures.
• Occupational hazards of tree operations and related safety precautions.
• Principles and practices of administrative procedures recordkeeping budgeting and financial management.
• Principles and practices of contract and procurement administration.
• Principles and techniques for fostering effective work groups interdepartmental relations and community partnerships while providing highlevel of customer service.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal decisionmaking analytical and negotiation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Skill in the use of personal computers and typical office software
• Colorado Drivers license with a good driving record.

Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees all levels of management including executive staff citizens and elected officials
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing and synthesize complex information into a useful format for decisionmakers
• Establish and fulfill long term goals and objectives
• Direct and effectively supervise a large workforce
• Administer budgets
• Anticipate needs and prioritize/manage multiple complex tasks while maintaining a high level of customer service to internal and external partners

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• ISA Certified Arborist
• Valid drivers license with a good driving history
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (or similar advanced certification) within six months of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Light physical work requiring ability to lift 20 pounds; some lifting and carrying of objects.
• Some walking and standing.
• Some pushing pulling and climbing.
• Vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer.
• Foot/eye for operation of motor vehicle.

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to varying weather conditions noise fumes chemicals and dust.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email internet Word Excel and menu driven databases as a part of the library automated systems
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle cell phone tools etc. in the course of their employment.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history including military service and related documentation (DD214 on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex race age sexual orientation creed national origin disability or military status gender identity unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law the City of Aurora maintains a drugfree workplace. A positive test of is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing Thorough Criminal Background Check and Employment References:
As a condition of employment all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.