Senior Associate Forester

City of Detroit; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Detroit General Services Department seeks a Senior Associate Forester to plan, supervise, and coordinate forestry, horticulture, and maintenance work city-wide. You will issue work orders, review plans, inspect progress, and manage contracted vendors to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or related field and several years in forestry with supervisory experience, plus essential certifications.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of municipal forestry and landscaping principles and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of tree and plant life and propagation methods.
• Ability to plan and coordinate landscaping and forestry activities.
• Good powers of observation and tact in dealing with others.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise forestry operations by issuing work orders.
• Review subordinate reports and advise on plans and policies.
• Inspect field work ensuring progress aligns with plans.
• Coordinate and manage contracted forestry vendors.
• Ensure pesticides comply with safety regulations.
• Confer with departments and outside parties on problems.
• Assist in budgeting, equipment purchases, and expense control.
• Prepare reports on proposed landscape projects and vendor invoices.
• Investigate complaints and evaluate performance of personnel.
• Attend meetings and represent the division; engage with groups.

Skills

Municipal forestry

Landscape design

Observation skills

Interpersonal skills

Initiative

Education

Bachelors in Forestry/related

Tools

CDL Group B

ISA Arborist

Pesticide Applicator

Job description

GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SENIOR ASSOCIATE FORESTER

Under general direction, to assist in planning, coordinating, and supervising the activities of a large group of employees engaged in forestry, horticulture, conservation, and maintenance work over a city-wide area; and to perform related work as required.

In accordance with established policies and general assignments, subject to approval of plans and reports but with considerable latitude for independent action and judgment on the technical phases of the work and with responsibility for results obtained:

• Coordinates and supervises the activities of forestry operations by issuing work orders.
• Reviews reports of subordinate supervisors and advises them on plans and policies.
• Inspects work in the field to see that it is progressing according to plans.
• Coordinates and manages the work of contracted forestry vendors.
• Ensures that the application of pesticides conforms to pertinent safety regulations.
• Confers with other departmental personnel and outside parties on problems of mutual concern.
• Assists in planning and controlling division budget and expenditures, and in the purchase and maintenance of equipment.
• Estimates costs and prepares special reports on proposed landscape projects.
• Reviews and processes vendor invoices for payments.
• Investigates complaints with regard to work of employees supervised.
• Evaluates and reports on the performance of material, equipment and personnel.
• Prepares special and periodic reports on activities supervised.
• Attends meetings as a representative of division; speaks to organized groups.

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Landscape Management, Horticulture, Forest Ecology, or a related field of study.
• Four (4) years of responsible experience in forestry and landscape work, two (2) years of which have been in a supervisory capacity.

Licensing and Certifications

• Persons hired in this title shall be required to obtain a State of Michigan Commercial Driver License with a Group B Endorsement. Successful applicants must meet physical standards prescribed by the Michigan State Motor Carrier Division and must possess and carry a valid current Medical Examiner’s Certificate certifying physical fitness for driving in accordance with the State of Michigan Motor Carrier Safety Act-1988.
• International Society of Arbory Culture (ISA) certified Arborist designation.
• Employees in this class must possess a valid State of Michigan Pesticide Certified Applicator License.

Equivalency

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience &Personal Qualifications:30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P:100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of municipal forestry and landscaping principles and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of tree and plant life and methods of propagation, planting and care, especially as related to municipal streets and parks.
• Reasonable skill in designing and planning landscape projects.
• Ability to plan and coordinate general landscaping and forestry activities.
• Ability to have good powers of observation.
• Ability to have tact in dealing with subordinates and others.
• Ability to show initiative and resourcefulness in handling unusual forestry and landscape problems.

Physical Demands

• The employee generally engages in light to strenuous physical activity which may include operating machinery, motor vehicles, heavy equipment, and using tools for an extended period of time.

• The employee is expected to move about and ascend/descend (e.g. stairs, ladders, trees etc.) to accomplish tasks.

• The employee must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry up to forty (40) pounds.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments with potential exposure to conditions which may include fumes, extreme heat and cold, wetness, loud noise, dust, inclement weather and hazardous chemicals.

• Some work requires travel to meetings, conferences, and other work sites with exposure to seasonal weather conditions.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.