Salary : $67,404.00 - $94,836.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Limited Term
Job Number: 25-056
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 01/30/2025
Closing Date: 2/20/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
The PositionThe current vacancy is for a Limited-Term Assistant Urban Forester in the Parks and Recreation Department. Limited-Term positions are of approximately two-year duration, working 40 hours per week, and receive full benefits. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Assistant Urban Forester vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Under general supervision, the Assistant Urban Forester oversees tree maintenance staff, contractors, and volunteers, assigns and reviews tree maintenance work, ensures compliance with City standards, quality, and safety requirements; participates in grant implementation, project planning, public engagement, and volunteer coordination and administrative tasks, such as data management and permitting functions.
Recruitment #25-056CANDIDATE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS Note: The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
- On Thursday, 02/20/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
- Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
- Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.
- Week of 02/24 and 03/03/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position.
- Week of 03/17 and/or 03/24/25: Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment and interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.
Typical Duties(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)
- Supervises, trains and conducts effective performance management to include career development, teamwork, collaboration, and coaching and mentoring of tree maintenance staff.
- Assigns and reviews tree maintenance work (e.g., tree planting, pruning, removal, and relocation of trees) of staff, contractors and volunteers while ensuring adherence to City and safety regulations and standards.
- Oversees grant implementation, such as completing and compiling information for progress reports (e.g., tree quantities, volunteer hours), monitoring milestones, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements.
- Identifies project requirements such as quantity of material, equipment, labor, permits and traffic control plans for grant and routine tree maintenance work in accordance with timeline and budget allocations.
- Monitors project budgets for tree maintenance work in accordance with grant and budget appropriations.
- Audits tree inventory documentation in data and land management software systems such as TreeKeeper, TRAKiT, and Tyler to verify accuracy of information such as tree species, quantities, and maintenance priorities to entries, in accordance with program or grant requirements.
- Organizes and coordinates public tree planting projects and events, including event logistics such as number of volunteers and event locations, safety compliance requirements, liability waivers, project evaluations, and volunteer survey completion.
- Engages residents and volunteers in collaboration with City Serve and local volunteer groups to participate in volunteer tree planting projects and tree care activities.
- Responds to public inquiries and complaints regarding municipal codes and policies and reported hazards.
- Solicits and reviews bids for work from contractors for tree maintenance work.
- Reviews invoices for accurate materials, equipment, and labor supplied and reconciles any discrepancies.
- Completes outreach to the public for planting approval; holds public meetings to share project goals and objectives and solicits feedback; distributes urban forestry educational resources such as informational materials on species list and planting locations.
- Assists in investigating complaints and works with legal entity to issue necessary code enforcement actions, such as citations, civil penalties, and required mitigation efforts.
- Reviews and approves tree removal or planting permits related to Heritage and Street Tree ordinances and municipal codes.
- Inspects and monitors trees to ensure compliance with citizen tree removal permit requirements or ordinances and monitors related bonds.
- In the absence of the Urban Forester, assesses and coordinates response to urban forest emergencies, such as fallen trees, limbs, clearing roads, and assessing hazard trees on public and private property.
- In the absence of the Urban Forester, represents the department at meetings (e.g., council, commission) and public hearings.
- May assist with tree planting and/or maintenance work; plants, waters, prunes, and cares for trees, shrubs and other vegetation.
- Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
WORKING CONDITIONS Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties.The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work.The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing 50 pounds or more is also required.Additionally, the incumbent in this position works in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold.The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to operate motorized vehicles and landscape equipment, work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions, and work with constant interruptions.
Minimum QualificationsThe minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience: - Associate's Degree or two years of relevant coursework in the field of horticulture or arboriculture, or urban forestry related field and,
- Two (2) years of experience in horticulture or arboriculture with one (1) of those years performing and/or overseeing tree work, including tree identification, planting, pruning and removal.
OR
- High School Diploma or tested equivalent and,
- Three (3) years of experience in horticulture or arboriculture with two (2) of those years performing and/or overseeing tree work including tree identification, planting, pruning and removal.
Knowledge: - Federal, State and local arboricultural laws and regulations.
- Industry standards, such as the American National Standards Institute and the International Society of Arboriculture.
- Practices, techniques, and materials used in the operations of urban forestry arboricultural practices.
- Characteristics of various tree species, shrubs, and other plants.
- Methods and materials used in tree pruning, planting, tree physiology, and tree identification.
- Grant implementation and reporting procedures to ensure compliance with funding requirements and effective utilization of resources.
- Permitting processes and requirements.
- Community engagement strategies and volunteer coordination principles.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures and practices of using equipment and vehicles used in tree maintenance.
- General office practices and methods, and equipment, including a computer.
Skills: - Basic computer literacy
- Operate a variety of handheld power tools and minor tree equipment (e.g., chainsaw, woodchipper, stump grinder, water tanker trailer).
Abilities: - Learn effective supervisory skills in motivating and developing staff.
- Monitor tree work activities to ensure safe work practices, work quality and accuracy.
- Effectively operate tree inventory, permitting, and land management software.
- Assess and evaluate tree conditions and hazards.
- Track and monitor progress of project tasks and budgets to ensure timely completion.
- Organizational and logistical planning skills for coordinating event details.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Engage with diverse stakeholders, including residents, volunteer groups and internal staff.
- Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
- Coordinate resources, including personnel, equipment, and contractors, and volunteers.
- Effectively review the work products to ensure accuracy and quality.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including detailed tree reports, presentations and written correspondence.
Licenses and Certificates - Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.
- International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Certification within 18 months of appointment.
Other Requirements - Willingness to serve on-call duty shifts to cover after-hours emergencies that may occur during late nights, on weekends, or on holidays.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS - Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Certification.
- Lead or Supervisory experience or City of Santa Cruz Leadership Development Program training certificate.
Career Ladder - Urban Forester
- Assistant Urban Forester
- Sr. Parks Maintenance Worker (with arboriculture experience)
- Parks Maintenance Worker (with arboriculture experience)
SALARY - This classification has a nine-step salary range. Appointment may be made commensurate with experience. See the on the City website for details.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointmentCandidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVEVacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick - 12 days/year
Holidays - up to 11 days/year
Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays 95% of the cost of coverage. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards health care benefits.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage.
Life - City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy.
Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.
RETIREMENT All new regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 11.25% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Accident Protection Insurance
Bilingual Pay
Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance
Direct Deposit
Discount Bus Passes
Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care
Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)
In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month
Shift Differential
Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
The information included in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
01
The following supplemental questions are designed to gain specific information regarding your work experience. Your supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine your qualifications for the position. The supplemental responses you provide should correspond to the information you have provided in the work history section of your employment application. Please provide concise, yet detailed responses to each question. Answer in your own words and refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Failure to complete all of applicable questions or incomplete responses may result in disqualification. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area please write "n/a".
- I acknowledge receipt of this information.
02
Do you possess a high school diploma or tested equivalent?
03
This position requires possession and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license.
- Yes, I have a valid California driver's license.
- I do not have a valid California driver's license. I understand that I will be required to obtain one prior to appointment as a condition of employment if selected for this position.
04
If you possess an Associate's Degree or higher in the field of horticulture or arboriculture, or urban forestry related field, OR have two years of relevant coursework in these fields, please indicate your field of study and the name of the accredited college or university from which you graduated or the coursework that you have completed. If you do not possess an Associate's Degree or higher, and/or do not have two years of relevant coursework in these fields, please write "N/A."
05
Please select the option that best describe how many years of experience in horticulture or arboriculture you have. This should be supported by the Work Experience portion of your application to receive credit.
- No related experience
- Less than 1 year
- At least 1 year, but less than 2 years
- At least 2 years, but less than 3 years
- 3 years or more
06
Please describe your work experience in horticulture or arboriculture. Be sure to also include your experience performing and/or overseeing tree work including tree identification, planting, pruning and removal. Please be thorough with your response, indicating methods and materials used, where you got this experience, duties performed, and how many years in each role.
07
This position requires obtaining International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Certification within 18 months of appointment. I accept this requirement. (NOTE: A "no" response to this question will eliminate your application from consideration.)
08
This position requires a willingness to serve on-call duty shifts to cover after-hours emergencies that may occur during late nights, on weekends, or on holidays. (NOTE: A "no" response to this question will eliminate your application from consideration). I accept this requirement:
09
Desirable Qualification: Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Certification. Do you currently possess this certification?
10
Desirable Qualification: Please describe and include any lead or supervisory experience you have. Include years of experience in each role and number of employees supervised. If you do not have this experience, please write "N/A."
11
Desirable Qualification: Have you successfully and fully completed the City of Santa Cruz Employee and Leadership program?
Required Question
