Urban Forest Operations Supervisor

City of Santa Monica; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Monica seeks an Urban Forestry Supervisor to oversee contract services for maintaining the City’s Urban Forest. You will supervise staff, coordinate pruning, planting, and risk assessments, and ensure compliance with the Urban Forest Master Plan.

You will review plans, manage budgets, and liaise with contractors and City departments. Strong ISA certification and six years in urban forestry, with two years supervisory experience, are preferred for this role.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with an associate’s degree in landscape architecture, urban forestry, Arboriculture, or Horticulture; other related study substitutions may apply.
• Six years of recent, paid work experience in urban forest maintenance including mature tree risk assessment and pruning operations; supervision experience required for at least two years.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and monitor contract services for the City’s Urban Forest maintenance.
• supervise the urban forest pruning and planting program across City parks, streets, and landscaped areas.
• Perform tree risk assessments and use wood testing technology to map weak/decayed wood.
• Respond to urban forest emergencies and advise on risk mitigation.
• Review construction plans for tree preservation and monitor adherence to guidelines.
• Monitor active projects for adherence to tree preservation policies and perform final inspections.
• Maintain the urban forest inventory GIS database and generate reports.
• Direct and supervise staff, approve overtime/vacations, and evaluate performance.
• Coordinate training for staff and oversee contractors to ensure contract compliance.
• Participate in developing contract specs, RFPs, budgets, and cost estimates; review invoices and expenditures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Contract administration

Tree knowledge

Public service

Education

Associate degree in landscape architecture / urban forestry / Arboriculture / Horticulture

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Wood testing technology

Job description

The City of Santa Monica seeks an Urban Forestry Supervisor to oversee contract services for maintaining the City’s Urban Forest. You will supervise staff, coordinate pruning, planting, and risk assessments, and ensure compliance with the Urban Forest Master Plan.

You will review plans, manage budgets, and liaise with contractors and City departments. Strong ISA certification and six years in urban forestry, with two years supervisory experience, are preferred for this role.