Salary : $54,954.85 - $69,536.06 Annually
Location : Grants Pass, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-9
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 01/31/2025

About the Position

Join the City as an ! Bring your desire to plant, cultivate, prune and maintain trees in the beautiful City of Grants Pass.
The Urban Forester will conduct inspections of tree health and safety, determine approved street trees, developing permit conditions, assisting with review of landscape plans, incorporate best management practices for the public tree canopy, present tree-related topics to Boards and Committees, oversee the heritage and memorial tree programs, and respond to customer inquiries.
Typical work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day.
Here is a video about working for the City as an Urban Forester:

This position is covered in the Teamster bargaining unit and incumbents must live within a 30 minute drive of their regularly assigned work site. Candidates must meet this requirement by the end of the 12-month trial service period.

The benefits for this position include, medical, dental, vision and prescription for all qualified family members for premiums of $134 per month. Time off benefits include vacation and sick leave.

Questions regarding this role direct to: or 541-450-6050.
The City of Grants Pass is a High Performance Organization that has a well-defined Mission, Vision and Values which provides the framework for our organizational culture. We believe that the best solutions come from empowered teams with the knowledge and shared vision of the community's goals. We promote a legacy of excellence through a culture of trust, collaboration, and encouragement of personal growth and the celebration of our achievements. We seek to attract adaptable, creative and motivated individuals who share our community pride and dedication to exceptional public service.
If you are an individual who appreciates a working team environment, which focuses on trust, crucial communications, commitment, accountability and results, then the City of Grants Pass may be a great place for you!
Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or a related field with major course work in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, or a natural resources related field and two years of urban forestry experience OR a related Associate's Degree, current certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), and two years of arborist experience are required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the

Licensing Requirements (positions in this class require):

Oregon Driver's License - Class C

Within 12 months of appointment, incumbent is expected to attain:

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certificate
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential
Pesticide Applicator's License

How to Apply

Attach your resume and cover letter.

Application materials must be submitted by the closing date in order to be considered for this position.

Required materials to be turned in for this recruitment are:
1. City Application
2. Supplemental Questionnaire
3. Resume
4. Cover Letter
Ranking and Selection

Per Oregon Revised Statutes 408.225 and 408.230, the City of Grants Pass grants preference in hiring and promotion of veterans and disabled veterans as defined by state law. If you are eligible and wish to claim Veterans' preference points, please indicate so on your application. Please note that you need to submit documentation of your eligibility at the time of your application.

Directly related work experience and qualifications will be evaluated alongside others who perform work of comparable character as required by Pay Equity Law.

It is the policy of the City of Grants Pass that no person shall be discriminated against based on race and characteristics traditionally associated with race to include hair styles, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or current employment status. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Police Officer applicants must show proof of citizenship with 18 months of hire.

The ranking and selection of applicants to proceed in the process includes: experience and knowledge, education, responses to supplemental questionnaire, submission of required materials and meeting minimum qualifications and special qualifications of the position. The initial process may include oral interviews and skills testing. Final selection will require a background investigation, including a criminal history review, and, depending on the position, a psychological screening, physical, functional and/or drug screening.

All candidates will be notified of the status of their application after the closing date.

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request prior to the application deadline to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application process.

EEO/AA

In & Around Grants Pass
The recreational opportunities of the Rogue River are many: jet-boats, rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, water skiing, tubing/swimming, gold panning and the 37-mile Rogue Hiking Trail. In addition to our world famous white water Rogue River, nearby mountains provide high-mountain recreational experiences, including snow skiing at Mt. Ashland, multiple access points to the Pacific Crest Trail, snow-shoeing, and ATV trails. Cultural activities center around the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and the historic town of Jacksonville. Other scenic attractions include: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument, and the northern portion of the Redwoods. Grants Pass' year-round calendar of events offers something for everyone. And once the sun goes down, the region takes on a life of its own with fine restaurants, theatres and a performing arts center.
Visitor information:
City of Grants Pass

Summary of Benefits

2025
Health Insurance

The City provides a full family healthcare package that includes medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance. Full family coverage includes spouse or same sex domestic partner and children up to age 26.
Most employees are currently provided two options for health insurance and may elect to have their portion of the health insurance premium deduction taken out of their paycheck on a pre-tax basis. Employee rates for 2025 for health and dental coverage range from $183 to $193 per month depending on the coverage selected.
In addition to health coverage, the City contributes $234 per month to a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA/VEBA) on the employee's behalf.
Dental Insurance:

The City provides two carriers for dental coverage, PacificSource and Willamette Dental Group. PacificSource Dental allows employees to select any dentist covered by PacificSource. Willamette Dental Group is a dental center, and employees selecting this option must go to a Willamette Dental Center for services.
Retirement

The City participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). An employee is eligible for PERS after six months of service (unless the employee is already a PERS member, then contributions are immediate). The employee's contribution of 6% is paid by the City under each collective bargaining agreement and the personnel rules at this time.
Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)

An employee who is new to Oregon public service and was hired on or after August 29, 2003, becomes an OPSRP Pension Program member if the employee works six full calendar months in a qualifying position for an OPSRP-Participating employer. The six-month waiting period cannot be interrupted by more than 30 consecutive working days and must be served with the same employer.

Life Insurance

The City provides life insurance to all full-time employees at one time their annual salary. An employee can voluntarily choose to purchase additional life insurance, spousal life and/or dependent life.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

The City provides accidental death and dismemberment insurance to all full-time employees at one time their annual salary.

Long Term Disability

The City provides benefits at the rate of 60% of salary with a maximum monthly benefit of $9,000 and a maximum covered salary of $15,000 per month. This benefit has a 90-day elimination period.

Flexible Spending/125 Program

Employees may elect to set aside monies pre-tax for out of pocket medical (maximum deferral $3,300) and/or dependent care (maximum deferral $5,000) expenses.

FICA and Medicare

The City participates in Social Security and pays the employer's portion of FICA and Medicare for each employee.
Deferred Compensation Program

Deferred compensation is a voluntary program which allows employees to designate a dollar amount or percentage of their pay for pre-tax retirement savings. These funds are deducted from an employee's check after FICA taxes, but before state and federal taxes, are applied. These funds are held state and federal tax free until the employee begins to withdraw funds. An employee is eligible to withdraw funds upon separation of service. The City provides four different carriers from which the employee can select. Employees may defer a maximum of $23,500 in 2025, with "catch-up" provisions that apply to those employees nearing retirement.

Worker's Compensation

Approved on-the-job injuries are paid at approximately 66 2/3% of regular salary upon acceptance of the claim. The difference between employee's normal net and worker's compensation claim is paid by the City under the terms and conditions set forth in Administrative Policy 5-1 and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Holiday/Holiday Compensation

Management, supervisors, non-represented, and Grants Pass Employee Association employees receive 10 paid holidays per year. Police personnel receive a holiday compensation bank of 48 hours each July 1 and January 1. Fire represented personnel receive a holiday compensation bank of 132 hours (56-hour schedule) each July 1 based on the prior years' service.
Personal Holiday:

Grants Pass Employee Association and Confidential-Classified employees receive 2 personal use-it or lose-it holidays per year, pro-rated based on the total months of service for the prior calendar year. Management and supervisory employees receive 1 personal use-it or lose-it holiday per year.

Vacation

Vacation accrual is provided to each regular full-time and regular part-time employee based upon their job classification, labor group, and scheduled workweek. Accruals and their availability for use are determined by a collective bargaining agreement or Personnel Rules, Regulations and Policies.
Sick Leave

Sick leave accrual is provided to each regular full-time and regular part-time employee based upon their scheduled work week. Sick leave accrual is available for use immediately. Full-time employees working a 40-hour schedule receive 96 hours per year, which accrues at 3.69 hours per pay period. Fire personnel on a 56-hour schedule receive 156 hours per year, which accrues at 6 hours per pay period.

Emergency Leave

Emergency leave is provided to employees to attend the funeral of an immediate family member, or to visit a member of your immediate family whose illness may result in death. Firefighters may take a 24-hour shift and all other employees may take up to 24 hours or 3 days emergency leave days per calendar year. Sick leave and/or vacation may also be utilized with approval.

Employee Assistance Program

The EAP provides an employee and the employee's dependents up to four confidential visits per issue during a year at no cost. Visits may be for counseling, assessment or referral help in dealing with the various stresses in life.

Fitness Reimbursement Policy

Full-time employees are eligible for a $40 per month individual reimbursement towards monthly membership dues to a health/fitness facility upon proof of payment and attendance. Reimbursement is processed on a quarterly basis through payroll. Regular part-time employees are eligible for a pro-rated reimbursement.
Educational Reimbursement Policy

A portion of the registration and fee costs associated with educational courses taken at an accredited institution and related to a regular full-time employee's job will be reimbursed upon successful (Grade C or better) completion of the class. All employees who have completed their trial service period are eligible for this benefit. This program is dependent on budget availability and limitation of the program.
Direct Deposit

Employees may voluntarily elect to have their paycheck electronically deposited in their bank(s) of choice.
All employees, excluding those classified as management and therefore "at will", are required to a serve a trial service period. Most positions require the incumbent serve a 12-month trial service period. Uncertified Police Officers and Dispatchers will be required to serve an 18-month trial service period. Some benefits identified in this summary become available upon satisfactory completion of said period.

Collective Bargaining Agreements are located at:
01

We appreciate your interest in becoming a member of the City of Grants Pass' team. Working in service of our citizens and community is important and we value your time and effort to complete the application process. We have prepared supplemental questions as part of our selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in the position for which you've applied. These questions should be answered accurately and thoroughly based on your work history. If you are requesting veteran's preference, indicate that you are a veteran AND upload a copy of your DD214 or veteran administration letter indicating your disabled status if applicable. Veteran preference documentation must be submitted by the closing of the announcement. I have read and understood all of the information listed above.

02

This position requires knowledge of Urban Forestry best management practices (BMP). Please describe why trees are important in an urban environment when considering BMP.
03

The City of Grants Pass is an urban area encompassing approximately 38,000 residents that value their rural roots and history. Please describe your experience and reasoning for living in this community.
04

Public outreach is an important part of this position. Describe your experience working with the public and providing public information.
Required Question

City of Grants Pass, OR jobs

Urban Forester