Urban Forester (13261, Grade 24)

Description

• Do you love trees?
• Do you want to be a part of an innovative Urban Forestry team working to promote a healthy tree canopy?
  
  

If this sounds like you, Montgomery Parks HFEE Division, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland is the place you want to be! We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly professional Urban Forestry Specialist.

Under direction, this position will provide expert arboricultural consulting for tree preservation work on Montgomery Parks development projects, and requests for construction permits from non-park entities including utility companies, government agencies and private developers. The position will lead or participate on project teams during planning and construction phases; review and provide comments on construction plans and perform on-site inspections during construction.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 420 parks and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington DC area. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/

DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor . We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Examples of Important Duties

• Performs tree health assessments on park development projects and makes recommendations on design plans for tree preservation techniques needed before, during and post-construction.
• Reviews Forest Conservation Plans for tree preservation prior to submittal to Montgomery Planning for review.
• Makes recommendations for mitigation due to tree removal or impacts on construction projects.
• Recommends tree maintenance and removal work by contractors or Park Arboriculture crews for park development, renovation, and permit projects on parkland.
• Conducts on-site inspections during construction projects to make sure tree preservation measures are implemented and all work is in adherence to ANSI standards.
• Provides expert technical assistance to support staff and the general public on arboriculture and urban forestry matters.
• Makes presentations to various public groups to promote urban forestry programs.
• Maintains knowledge of and evaluates new arboricultural methods, equipment, and technology.
  
  

Important Skills and Characteristics

• Knowledge of (1) tree identification and taxonomy; (2) arboriculture and urban forestry; (3) pesticides/integrated pest management; (4) International Society of Arboriculture tree assessment and care practices;
• Skill and ability to (1) interpret and write technical reports and correspondence; (2) organize work efficiently and effectively; (3) safely use and operate urban forestry tools and equipment for tree maintenance (i.e., handsaws and mechanical devices); (4) prepare arboricultural reports and recommendations identifying tree cultivation processes and procedures; (5) ability to read designs plans used in construction projects
• Skill in communication to understand verbal and written information (including facts, assertions and arguments), draw inferences, form hypotheses and develop logical arguments and to express such information in writing so that others will understand and, at times, be convinced or persuaded.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tree preservation on construction projects.
• Experience with tree management software applications.
• Possess International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
• Experience reviewing design and construction plans.
• Ability to work as part of a project team and advocate for urban forestry goals.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture or any related field.
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional forestry, arboriculture experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
• Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture.
• An appropriate Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator Certificate is required within 12 months of employment.
• Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Class/Specification: Urban Forestry Specialist

Get to know Montgomery Parks and the opportunities available:

https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.