Urban Forestry Inspector

County of Santa Barbar; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement reciprocity

Advanced vacation accrual credit

Job summary

The County of Santa Barbara is seeking an Urban Forestry Inspector to inspect contractor work on urban forestry projects within the Transportation Division of the Public Works Department in Santa Maria.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of tree maintenance/inspection experience, knowledge of GIS and inspection software, and a valid California driver’s license. Independent work and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience performing or inspecting tree maintenance duties.
• Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to Santa Barbara County Maintenance Worker I/II on tree maintenance duties.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field inspections of tree and cement contractors for street tree program to ensure contract compliance and proper methods and materials.
• Assist Urban Forestry Supervisor with planning, coordinating, and prioritizing contractor work; interact with the public; collect payments.
• Record-keeping of tree plantings, maintenance, removals, costs, and inventory using computer software.
• Investigate vegetation obstructions, respond to public complaints, and resolve issues with property owners.
• Review daily work orders, document needs, and report on completed work.
• Provide information and assistance to the public and explain County rules and procedures.

Skills

Observational skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Safety awareness

Independent work

Tools

GIS

Inspection software

Job description

SALARY

$37.86 - $45.40 Hourly

We are currently accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Urban Forestry Inspector vacancy for the Transportation Division of the Public Works Department in Santa Maria.

BENEFITS

The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits.

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

THE POSITION

Under general direction, inspects the work of contractors completing urban forestry projects for the County; assists with contract administration; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is responsible for inspecting the work of contractors performing urban forestry (i.e., tree management) projects in an assigned geographical area within the County, including tree maintenance, removal, and replacement, as well as related hardscape (i.e., sidewalk, curb, gutter, ramp, apron, etc.) repair, modification, and construction. This class is distinguished from the Engineering Technician series by its primary responsibility for inspecting arboricultural projects rather than solely performing paraprofessional-level civil engineering work.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department consists of five divisions: the Laguna Sanitation District and Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Water Resources (Flood Control, Water Agency and Project Clean Water), the County Surveyors Office, and Administration. The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. To learn more about us, visit https://www.countyofsb.org/193/Administration.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess

• 2-5 years of knowledge of basic concrete functionality, such as installation, curb and gutter, sidewalks, ADA ramps.
• 2-5 years of urban forestry, arboriculture, tree care practices, and applicable industry standards.
• Strong observational and analytical skills, with the ability to identify deficiencies and make sound, well-supported recommendations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with property owners, contractors, tree care professionals, employees, and the public.
• Ability to work independently in a variety of outdoor environments while maintaining a strong commitment to safety.
• Proficiency with computers, mobile technology, GIS, inspection software, and other tools used to document and track field activities.

1. Conducts field inspections of tree and cement contractors performing tree maintenance, removal, and replacement and hardscape repair, modification, and construction activities for the Street Tree Partnership Program, to ensure contract compliance and that industry standards are met; inspects tree planting, removal, and trimming to ensure proper methods, materials, and species are being used; inspects concrete forms to ensure the forms are set properly; inspects the batch to ensure the appropriate amount of cement is being used; inspects concrete grade and depths; calculates the measurement of an area to determine if appropriate quantities of materials are being used; tests soil samples; ensures hardscape accessibility for physically-challenged individuals; ensures proper traffic control procedures are used during construction; and conducts field inspections of tree maintenance work funded through Measure D (sales tax revenues).
2. Assists the Urban Forestry Supervisor with planning, coordinating, and prioritizing the work of contractors, as well as interacting with the public; discusses various tree and hardscape problems with the Urban Forestry Supervisor, and recommends solutions; implements recommended solutions; and collects payments from the property owners who partially fund the Street Tree Partnership Program.
3. Uses a variety of computer software programs to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of tree plantings, maintenance, and removals, as well as program costs, tree inventory, and property identification; and surveys rights-of-way to property to determine whether property is County fee-owned land or public easement.
4. Investigates vegetation obstructions; responds to complaints from the public; contacts the property owner regarding the obstruction; researches whether the vegetation is within a public easement or the responsibility of the property owner; sends letters of notification; and effectively resolves the obstruction complaint.
5. Reviews and responds to daily work orders from the public; determines needs and prepares the work order; documents the nature of complaints; investigates complaints; and documents work performed once completed.
6. Provides information and assistance to the general public; and explains County rules, regulations, programs, policies, and procedures.

1. Two years of experience performing or inspecting tree maintenance duties, including planting, trimming, and/or removing trees, including some experience performing or inspecting hardscape repair, modification, and construction work; OR,
2. Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to those of a Santa Barbara County Maintenance Worker I/II assigned to tree maintenance duties; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Qualifications

Independent travel within the County is necessary. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required at time of appointment.

Knowledge of

local tree species; tree maintenance, planting, and removal methods and equipment; principles and practices of tree assessment, tree removal, site preparation, landscaping, species selection, and planting; arboreal insect and disease control methods and techniques; proper methods of repairing, modifying, and constructing sidewalks, curbs, gutters, ramps, and aprons; surveying methods and techniques; basic mathematics; and safety practices related to tree maintenance, construction projects, and traffic control.

Ability to

inspect and direct the work of contracted personnel; calculate area measurements and quantity of materials; effectively respond to and resolve complaints and inquiries from the public; learn basic contract administration methods and practices; follow oral and written instructions and departmental safety practices and procedures; work independently and make independent decisions; represent the department with tact; establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with coworkers, members of other County departments/divisions, contractors, and members of the community; keep records and prepare accurate written records/reports; and communicate clearly and effectively with management, contractors, representatives from other agencies, and members of the public.

Desirable Qualification

Some contract administration/coordination experience and possession of a "Certified Arborist" designation by the International Society of Arboriculture are highly desirable.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking.Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidate who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by email during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Worker

Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: November 12, 2026, at 4:59 PM PST.

Kim Clark, Public Works Human Resources, [e-mail]