Arborist

Class Description


Job Title: City Arborist

Reports To: Assistant Director of Public Works - Administration FLSA Status: Exempt


General Description


The purpose of this class within the organization is to plan, implement, coordinate and review tree-related activities in the City of College Park. Prepare and administer professional service contracts for tree maintenance work of trees located on city property and rights of way. Supervise staff planting and maintaining city trees and make recommendations on types of trees to plant on city property and public rights of way. Assist with planting and landscape plan review and diagnose tree conditions that may require treatment. Works under the direction of the Assistant Public Works Director of Administration.


This position is considered essential during times of emergency, and incumbents must be willing and able to work long shifts in adverse conditions. May be required to report for duty on short notice or remain on duty longer than the normal shift.


Duties and Responsibilities


The functions listed below represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.


Essential Functions:

  • Makes recommendations regarding the location, size, and type of trees to be planted based on the site conditions.
  • Inspects city trees and identifies trees that need pruning or removal by conducting tree risk assessments to ensure public safety
  • Inspects and diagnoses trees for disease, damage, safety hazards, and aesthetic effect and recommends treatments, depending on the severity of the damage or disease present.
  • Maintains and updates a computerized tree management inventory with inspection and maintenance activities records.
  • Advises residents on tree maintenance and selection of trees.
  • Responds to citizens' inquiries about trees located on private property in a timely fashion. Explains any corrective action as needed.
  • Meets with citizen groups to inform them about city tree maintenance programs and assists with the preparation of arboriculture educational material for the public.
  • Informs the Assistant Director of planned maintenance of city trees.


Additional Duties:

  • Prepares annual application for a permit to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to remove, prune, plant, or maintain trees in the public right of way.
  • Assist in preparing and administering professional service contracts for specialized tree work and maintenance with the City.
  • Prepares various reports, proposals, grants, budget documents, and public relations materials.
  • Refers non-compliant property owners to Code Enforcement Department for enforcement of City code.
  • Provides technical and safety training to staff.
  • Performs related work and other duties work as assigned.


Responsibilities, Requirements, and Impacts Data Responsibility:

Data Responsibility refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation, interpretation, visualization, and mental creation. Data are intangible and include numbers, words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalizations.

Collects, classify, or formats data or information according to a prescribed schema or plan to facilitate identifying and extracting useful information. The person has knowledge of mapping and urban forest inventory management software.


People Responsibility:

People include co-workers, workers in other areas or agencies, and the general public.

Serves others such as residents, citizens, and other agencies provides guidance, attends to their requests, and exchanges information with them.


Asset Responsibility:

Assets responsibility refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the organization.

Requires some responsibility for achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses by handling equipment, materials, supplies, or small amounts of money.


Mathematical Requirements:

Mathematics requires the use of symbols, numbers, and formulas to solve mathematical problems.

Uses addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculates ratios, rates, and percentages.


Communications Requirements:

Communications involves the ability to read, write, and speak.

  • Reads technical instructions and reviews new and existing site, utility, and roadway plans and permits to understand impacts on City trees. Reads procedure manuals and charts to solve practical problems, such as equipment operating instructions; composes periodic and specialized reports, forms, and business letters, with the proper format; speaks compound sentences using regular grammar and word form.
  • Must be able to read, interpret, and communicate forestry-related codes, ordinances, and other related documents; read journals, manuals, and professional publications; speak informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other agencies, and the public, using proper language, punctuation, grammar, and style. Must be able to understand and follow written and oral directions.


Judgment Requirements:

Judgment requirements refer to the frequency and complexity of judgments and decisions given the stability of the work environments, the nature and type of guidance, and the breadth of impact of the judgments and decisions.

Responsible for guiding others, affecting the individual, co-workers, and the general public; must be able to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations where work involves evaluating information.


Complexity of Work:

Complexity addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, concentration, and creativity required by the job and the presence of any unusual pressures present in the job.

Performs professional-level work involving set procedures and rules; applies various methods to solve technical or administrative problems; requires continuous and close attention to detail for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure.


Impact of Errors:

Impact of errors refers to consequences such as damage to equipment and property, loss of data, exposure of the organization to legal liability, and injury or death for individuals.

The impact of errors may be severe and may affect the reputation of the City and the health, safety, and welfare of the co-workers and the public.


Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

  • Performs moderate to heavy work that involves walking, standing, stooping, lifting, digging, pushing, and rising objects. May exert over 50 pounds of force regularly.
  • Routine and frequent exposure to normal weather conditions, including heat, cold, wet, or humid environments.
  • Occasional brief exposure to unpleasant or unsafe environments, including dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes, and loud noises.
  • Some exposure to hazardous materials, machinery vibrations, traffic hazards, wildlife/ animal attacks, and electric shock.


Equipment Usage:

Equipment usage involves responsibility for materials, machines, tools, equipment, work aids, and products.

Handles or uses some motorized or power equipment. Uses of computers or tablets.


Unavoidable Hazards:

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

May involve routine or frequent exposure to abnormal weather conditions, agricultural chemicals, fuels, mechanical equipment, vehicular traffic, environmental organisms, and electric power lines.


Safety of Others:

Safety of others refers to the level of responsibility for the safety of others, either inherent in the job or to ensure the safety of the general public. (Does not include safety of subordinates).

Requires some responsibility for the safety and health of others and/or for occasional enforcement of public safety standards.


Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, or a closely related field, supplemented by at least three years of experience or a combination of education and experience.


Special Certifications and Licenses:

  • A valid Driver's license in the state of residence is required.
  • Maryland Commercial pesticide applicator certification in categories for ornamentals (3B) and/or right-of-way (6) or must be able to obtain within the six-month probation period.
  • Maryland Roadside Tree Expert or must be able to obtain within the six-month probation period.
  • Certified Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture.

Show All Answers

1. Animal Control Officer
2. Arborist
3. Administrative Specialist for City Clerk's Office
4. Administrative Specialist DPS
5. Assistant Director of Administration, Public Works
6. Assistant Director of Finance FLSA STATUS
7. Assistant Director Public Works, Operations and Facilities
8. City Clerk
9. City Engineering Tech/GIS Analyst
10. Code Enforcement Field Supervisor
11. Code Enforcement Officer
12. Code Enforcement Field Supervisor
13. Communication and Graphic Design Coordinator
14. Communications and Events Manager
15. Crew Supervisor