Arborist Jobs

This position is responsible for classifying, interpreting, and enforcing the City’s tree preservation/protection ordinances through permit application and plan review, site inspections, and public education as well as assist in design and installation of plants for in house public works projects. This position reports through the Chain of Command to the Director of Public Works.

Essential Job Duties and Functions:

• May be required to work outside normal work hours in on-call and emergency situations.
• Assists public works department with design and installation of appropriate decorative seasonal plantings at city facilities and park.
• Interprets, explains, applies, and ensures compliance with provisions of City ordinances pertaining to tree preservation, tree protection, and tree replacement; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Attends meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed; participates on review committees, policy committees, safety committees, or other committees; represents the department at community events.
• Provides technical assistance and information to developers, landscapers, property owners, the public or others regarding tree preservation/protection guidelines, ordinances, plan reviews, procedures, documentation, or other issues; meets with clients at sites or in office; responds to questions and complaints; research problems/complaints and initiates problem resolution.
• Reviews development plans and drawings, tree protection plans, and related documents in relation to tree preservation; verifies compliance of plans with tree preservation/protection ordinance; approves or disapproves tree plans as appropriate; discusses problem areas and corrective actions with applicants.
• Confers with other departments regarding trees that are threatening the right of way.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, codes, and regulations; conducts research and maintains an awareness of new issues, methods, equipment, trends and advances in the profession; reads updates and other professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Conducts site inspections during all construction stages to ensure compliance with approved plans relating to tree protection and tree replacement; evaluates condition/health of trees; determines hazardous conditions involving trees; conducts compliance inspections of commercial properties one year after completion of construction.
• Provides court testimony against persons cited for ordinance violations and offers expert witness testimony.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skilled in interpersonal communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals, groups, and personalities in resolving development and application issues.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret code and zoning ordinances.
• Ability to use practical applications involving codes and zoning ordinances.
• Knowledge of land planning, cartography and development principles, practices, and methods.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must possess Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Level 1A and 1B certification, or successfully obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must possess an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification, or successfully obtain certification within 1 (one) year of employment.
• Valid Georgia Driver’s License and must maintain valid license and good driving record.

Qualifications:

• Work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as required.
• No felony convictions within the prior ten (10) years or while employed in the position.
• Must pass a detailed background investigation.
• High school graduation or equivalent.
• A citizen of the Unites States or has obtained legal work status.
• Minimum of 21 years of age.

City Health Insurance Benefits Include:

• Group Accident-AFLAC
• Vision-CIGNA
• Voluntary Life-AFLAC
• Group Cancer-AFLAC
• Group Critical Illness-AFLAC
• Health Insurance- Cigna H.S.A.
• Long Term Disability-AFLAC-100% City Paid
• Dental-CIGNA
• Basic Life- AFLAC- 2.5 Times Base Annual Income City Paid
• Short Term Disability-AFLAC-100% City Paid
• Dental – 100% paid by the City for Single Employee
• Wellness Rewards Program-Medical Participant
• Dependent Life- AFLAC- $5,000 for eligible spouse and $2,500 for each eligible child City Paid

City Benefits:

• Pay In Lieu of Vacation
• EAP Program. 6 counseling sessions per year
• Paid Funeral Time Off. A total of 6 days of funeral leave per fiscal year
• Education Assistance Program
• Donating Sick Leave

Retirement:

• 457(b) Retirement Plan: City Matching at 90 days of service up to 3% if employee enrolls and contributes at least 3%
• 401 (a) Retirement Plan: City 3% Contribution at 90 days of service