Associate Urban Forestry Specialist

City of Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 61,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Drug-free workplace

Job summary

The City of Charlotte’s Planning Department is seeking an Associate Urban Forester to join the Community Tree Canopy Preservation Division. The role involves reviewing residential plans, conducting site inspections, and enforcing ordinances related to tree preservation and development.

Responsibilities include presenting findings, issuing permits and citations, and supporting tree canopy policy initiatives.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture or related field
• One year of related work experience or equivalent education/experience
• Knowledge of tree species and their biological requirements
• GIS understanding is required
• Ability to communicate in English; Spanish desirable
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle
• ISA Arborist Certification or ability to become certified within 2–3 years

Responsibilities

• Review residential plans for tree planting, preservation, and protection
• Conduct site inspections to ensure ordinance compliance
• Provide written and oral notification of ordinance requirements
• Issue citations and attend appeal hearings as needed
• Support tree canopy policy development and implementation
• Provide courteous customer service per Development Center standards

Skills

Urban Forestry

Arboriculture

Horticulture

GIS

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Spanish (desirable)

Driving license

Education

Associates degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture or related field

Tools

GIS Software

MS Excel

Job description

Department: Planning, Design & Development Department

Salary: $60,612.00 - $87,129.74 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America's Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our Guiding Principles Include

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

Summary

The Planning Department is seeking an Associate Urban Forester to join the Community Tree Canopy Preservation Division. This associate position will have a range of responsibilities in conjunction with application of ordinances and regulations related to residential development projects throughout the city. These responsibilities may include some or all of the following: plan review, development proposal review, policy development, meeting facilitation, field inspections, and issuing violations.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate residential plans and specifications for tree planting, preservation and protection
• Conduct site inspections to ensure compliance with ordinances and use of proper practices
• Provide written and oral notification of ordinance requirements, related permits and/or related reports
• Issue citations and attend appeal hearings as needed
• Support City initiatives related to tree canopy policy development and implementation
• Provide courteous, responsive, respectful, accessible and seamless customer service aligned with the Development Center’s customer service standards

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Experience in Urban Forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or related field and knowledge of tree species and their biological requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and express complex ideas succinctly
• Prior experience with municipal tree ordinance is preferred
• Proven record of working successfully with the public
• Computer skills at the intermediate level of proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite Products (Word, Excel, Access)
• Ability to work independently, exercising initiative and independent judgment
• Basic understanding and use of GIS is required
• Ability to communicate both in English and Spanish desirable
• Requires good driving record, a valid Driver's License with the ability to obtain and maintain a City’s Driving Permit, and a dependable passenger vehicle
• Requires ISA Arborist Certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification or ability to become certified within 2 to 3 years of start date
• Work independently, be flexible and self-directed
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, civic, community and business groups and the general public

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with municipal tree ordinance preferred
• Ability to communicate both in English and Spanish desirable

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Associates degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture or related field and one year related work experience or a combination of education and experience with considerable knowledge of tree species and their biological requirements.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

Benefits

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.