City Arborist

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment Do you want low and no cost health insurance options If you answered yes to any of these questions you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

The Public Works Department is actively seeking a City Arborist.

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well In addition to health insurance dental vision life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is professional forestry work in planning organizing and directing urban forestry activities relating to county-wide tree planting projects. The work requires a basic understanding and application of the theories principles and practices of urban forestry arboriculture botany and horticultural and the use of specialized skills in recommending developing and administering urban forestry planting plans policies and procedures which is gained through degree granting schools or an equivalent level of practical knowledge gained through experience. Schedules assigns monitors directs reviews the work of contractors engaged in tree planting care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment. Contacts require skill in understanding and influencing people and are important in disseminating technical information and advice to public officials and the public regarding forestry-related regulations proper forestry techniques and forestry-related projects. The forestry work is standardized in that tasks are covered by substantially diversified procedures and specialized standards and because of the changing priorities or different situations incumbents have the latitude to consider which of the many procedures or standards should be followed and in what sequence. The work involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in search of solutions or new applications within ones known experiences. Work is performed in both an office and field environment where risks and hazards are minimal known predictable and controllable. Operates a utility vehicle and standard office equipment such as personal computer. Physical demands consist mainly of visually inspecting trees using equipment and occasionally lifting objects weighing less than fifty (50) pounds. Work is performed under limited supervision where work assignments are subject to established procedures practices or well-defined policies and is reviewed usually after the fact in terms of quality timeliness and adherence to methods standards and policies.

• Administers county-wide tree planting projects.
• Schedules assigns monitors directs reviews and evaluates the work of contractors involved in tree planting care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment.
• Estimate costs materials labor and time for selection purchasing and planting of trees.
• Recommends develops and administers urban forestry planting plans policies and procedures.
• Facilitates and monitors tree planting projects with nonprofits and civil groups.
• Coordinates private and public participation in planting process.
• Help develop a list of priority planting projects.
• Coordinates education and outreach programs to government and civil groups related to planting.
• Oversee urban forestry studies include street trees analyses type mapping and classification through use of aerial photos statistical analyses and related materials and methods.
• Helps prepare and submit grant proposals for urban forestry grants.
• Provides staff support for the Tree Conservation Commission related to planting trees.
• Develop long term monitoring procedures for planting projects.
• Sets canopy goals and measures the progress of planting programs.
• Maintains a database and inventory of the Citys trees.
• Responds to citizen right-of-way planting requests through the MyJax System.
• Responds to public damaged tree claims and assists with the replanting of trees.
• Assists in preparation of an annual report on the Citys tree maintenance program to the City Council.
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computers using word processing spreadsheet database and other related software applications.
• Communicates in a clear direction managing results leading to organizational change.
• Assigns responsibility takes corrective action demonstrates leadership in evaluating developing and motivating employees.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonvilles competencies.
• Performs related work as required.

• Knowledge of botany arboriculture and horticultural theories principles and practices.
• Knowledge of urban forestry practices including planting.
• Knowledge of laws policies rules and regulations governing urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of urban forestry practices in the southern United States preferred.
• Knowledge of methods materials equipment and tools used in urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of basic species of trees and of their growth maintenance conditions and needs.
• Knowledge of soils fertilizers and methods of plant cultivation compatible with local environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of research and statistical methods and techniques.
• Ability to schedule assign monitor direct review the work of contractors engaged in tree planting care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment. Ability to recommend develop and administer urban forestry plans policies and procedures.
• Ability to estimate costs materials labor and time for selection purchasing and planting of trees.
• Ability to conduct urban forestry studies and to analyze and formulate recommendations based upon such studies.
• Ability to prepare and submit grant proposals for urban forestry grants.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate a utility vehicle.

• Five (5) years of education and/or professional experience in urban forestry or directly related field which includes successful completion of 24 semester hours of course work in arboriculture horticulture or environmental science or related subject.
• Bachelors degree in forestry or a related field - preferred.

• Must possess or obtain within six (6) months valid certification from the International Society of Arboriculture as an ISA Certified Arborist or Master Arborist.
• A valid Drivers License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained during employment in this class.
• Must qualify prior to appointment obtain and maintain during employment in this class a City of Jacksonville Certification as a Public Driver.

• The probationary period for this class is six (6) months.

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED.Apply at . Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education a copy of your college transcript with your social blackout is required with your application. U.S. transcripts do not need to be official but must state your name the schools name classes taken grades received type of degree and date degree was conferred. Transcripts outside the U.S. must be converted to U.S. standards.

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Certain servicemembers and veterans and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans receive preference and priority and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for post-secondary educational requirements in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

If claiming veterans preference you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable the additional forms as noted here: a candidate believes he or she was not afforded the veterans preference he or she may file a written complaint within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision requesting an investigation to:

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

Attention: Veterans Preference Coordinator

11351 Ulmerton Road Suite 311-K

Largo FL 33778-1630

Email: