University Urban Forester

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Grounds the University Urban Forester is responsible for all facets of tree and forest management on the universitys Blacksburg campus and various other university-owned properties within the commonwealth including high-profile areas such as the Old Growth Forest.

This is a highly visible public-facing position collaborating with internal and external constituent groups to promote the benefit of trees in urban areas as well as provide technical expertise and guidance for campus operations.

This position requires an individual that possesses the appropriate technical expertise as well as exceptional problem solving and people skills tactful communicative ability and substantial flexibility and patience.

Specific responsibilities include:
Oversees develops and implements all aspects of urban forest management and Arboriculture practices on University campus properties.
Supervises the daily operations of the Campus Tree Pruning Crew including the development and implementation of a quality control program to improve arboricultural operations and ensure high standards of work.
Reviews plans advising project design team members and monitoring tree health during project design and construction. Providing technical direction including tree protection and prescriptive treatments to ensure the best possible conditions for the trees to be maintained at all project stages pre- and post-construction.
Develops fertilization insect and disease control programs for the campus urban forest.
Providing direction and identifying hazardous trees through development and application of tree risk management and mitigation planning.
Maintaining a comprehensive GIS dataset to facilitate responsible management of all urban forest assets on University properties and lands including periodic assessments of tree canopy cover maintenance of tree inventory data and monitoring of urban forest condition and performance.
Working closely with the Design and Construction Design Team the Office of Sustainability the University Arboretum Committee and other stakeholders on all strategic operational and tactical tree-related activities and ensuring successful participation in the Tree Campus Higher Education program.
Establishing community outreach programming with educational components and hands-on volunteer opportunities to engage Virginia Tech community members in urban forest stewardship.
Close collaboration with colleagues on the Grounds team including the University Landscape Architect Grounds Operations Supervisor and Landscape Care and Maintenance Supervisor.
Development of mission-oriented projects and solicitation of grant-funded support.
Develop and implement a tree planting program that supports campus tree canopy and sustainability goals
Develop policies and standards that promote tree health and urban forest sustainability

The incumbent must be detail action solution and results oriented and dedicated to continuous improvement. The incumbent is expected to fulfill identified responsibilities independently while maintaining effective communication with university leadership.

This position is designated as Emergency Personnel.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in forestry arboriculture horticulture or related field (including formal coursework in urban forestry and arboricultural techniques) OR training and experience that equates to bachelors degree.
ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) ISA Certified Arborist OR: ISA Urban Forest Professional.
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
Demonstrated experience managing tree planting pruning removal health care and related safety functions as well as operating and maintaining a tree inventory database using GIS and GPS.
Exceptional writing and effective communication skills interpersonal skills diplomacy and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies.
Demonstrated experience researching and preparing technically complex executive level documents position papers reports proposals and presentations.
Strong analytical critical thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to see patterns be a fast thinker and make decisions with strong attention to accuracy detail and local context.
Demonstrated ability to successfully handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality strong personal ethics commitment and demonstrated sound judgment.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects; excellent organizational leadership and delegation skills; and ability to work collaboratively. Must have strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests.
Strong mediation or conflict resolution skills to manage complex situations impacting multiple constituents that may have competing interests.
Demonstrated commitment to exceptionally responsive consistent and transparent service delivery to all campus constituents. Champions a responsive workforce that embraces a culture of continuous improvement self-assessment and accountability in a dynamic environment. Deploys accepts and acts on all mechanisms of customer feedback to achieve results and effect change.
Fast learner result driven accepts and acts on all forms of feedback to effect change.
Demonstrated high proficiency with current office software applications including word processing spreadsheets database management systems electronic mail and presentation applications.
The position is designated as Emergency Personnel. Must be available twenty-four hours per day seven days a week to provide support during planned or emergency situations or events to include being physically on site if deemed necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

ISA Board Certified Master Arborist certification
VADACS Licensed Pesticide Applicator 3-A
Supervisory experience.
Experience managing a large population of trees in a commercial institutional or municipal a large commercial public sector or university setting.
Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia procurement and/or contracting procedures.
Understanding of planning infrastructure and facilities issues and operations.
Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Experience with Tree Campus Higher Education programming.

Pay Band

5

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$72000 - $78500; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

October 1 2025

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Licensure and Certification required for entry into position:
Drivers License
ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist OR ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification

Employment Conditions:
Must have valid drivers license
Must have a drivers license and criminal background check
This position is designated as Emergency Personnel. Must be available twenty-four hours per day seven days a week to provide support during planned events or emergency situations (such as inclement weather) to include being physically on site if deemed necessary.
Work hours are normally Monday - Friday 7:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m. During periods of inclement weather emergency situations or for special projects may work a modified schedule and additional hours to meet the needs of the department.
ISA Certified Arborist: Urban Forest Professional Certification within one (1) year of employment ISA Board Certified Master Arborist certification within five years of employment
This position meets the criteria for issuance of a mobile communication device (such as radio cell-phone I-pad I-pod pager etc.). Devices issued are the responsibility of the employee and are to be returned in satisfactory condition upon separation of employment. Devices are to be used according to supervisor instruction and according to relevant policies.
Must be able to safely and frequently move and handle heavy objects weighing 50 pounds or more; ability to climb and work from elevated work stations such as ladders and scaffolds; ability to work for long periods of time standing walking reaching bending pushing/pulling; ability to communicate effectively have good team work skills and be able to understand comprehend and follow directions in the workplace.
Must be able to work in all types of weather conditions including extreme temperatures.
Will be required to operate a motor vehicle daily.
May be required to work additional hours/shifts to meet the needs of the department.
Ability to travel to on-campus and off-campus locations with occasional overnight travel.
As situation dictates must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Use/wearing of a respirator could be required.
Annual health and safety medical check could be required.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.