What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forestry & Natural Resources Coordinator position at City of Crystal?
To serve as city forester and lead the planning, implementation, and oversight of forestry and natural resource programs that protect and enhance the urban forest. This position ensures ordinance compliance, manages tree health and pest response efforts, supports policy and budget development, oversees staff and contracts, engages the community, and delivers high-quality service while promoting sustainable stewardship of public and private natural resources.
This position is employed by the City of Crystal and provides services on a half-time basis to both the City of Crystal and the City of Brooklyn Center.
Decision Making: Must act in a decisive manner, using good judgment. Must be able to assess problems and situations, able to anticipate needs and evaluate alternatives. Must be able to read and understand maps, records, drawings, and plans; ability to make sound decisions. Must have a knowledge of the utilization of appropriate resources and the willingness to initiate use of available resources.
Interpersonal Relationships: Must be consistent in dealing with people; must exclude personal biases from work performance; must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline. Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Must have tact and diplomacy; must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department; must have a positive attitude. Must have skill in coaching and mentoring, ability to delegate work effectively, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other departments, outside agencies or vendors, and the general public.
Professional Attitude: Must have commitment to the organization; willingness to take initiative; dependability, maturity in relationships with others; and self confidence. Must have the ability to work and think independently. Must represent the organization to citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude in all types of contact. Must embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
Quality of Work: Must be able to produce quality, accurate work. Must be able to detect and correct errors. Must be able to work productively, efficiently, and safely, and to carry out written and verbal instructions.
Technical Knowledge: Must have the knowledge of urban forestry program operations; ability to provide residents with information regarding tree planting, tree maintenance, plant identification, insect and disease problems, general horticulture and landscaping. Must have the ability to perform compliance inspections, keep records, do inventory, work with others to provide contractual removal and disposal for diseased trees. Must have the ability to effectively maintain records and files. Must have working knowledge of computers, and knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and position specific software applications. Must have the ability to operate and use office equipment.
Must accurately follow codes, statutes, and other technical data. Must have knowledge of Federal, State, and local codes, regulations, and licensure requirements pertaining to public works forestry and natural resources. Must have thorough knowledge of City and department policies and procedures; knowledge of safety principles; knowledge of personnel management techniques; and knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force. Work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to chemicals, and vibration.
This position is employed by the City of Crystal and provides services on a half-time basis to both the City of Crystal and the City of Brooklyn Center.
- Coordinate and implement forestry and natural resource management programs, including tree planting, reforestation, natural habitat restoration, and invasive species management.
- Function as the city forester and enforce applicable city ordinances, policies, and regulations related to trees and natural resources.
- Provide technical recommendations to support policy development and decision-making related to forestry and natural resources.
- Plan, manage and oversee the municipal response to emerald ash borer and other tree pests and diseases.
- Inspect trees and vegetation on public and private property to identify hazardous, diseased, or non-compliant conditions and recommend corrective actions.
- Respond to resident inquiries, service requests and complaints related to tree and natural resources on public and private property.
- Administer the City of Crystal Parks Encroachment Program.
- Manage landscape median areas.
- Assist in the preparation and administration of annual operating budgets and long-term capital improvement plans related to forestry and natural resources.
- Identify grant funding opportunities and prepare, administer, and monitor grants.
- Manage contracts related to forestry and natural resource management.
- Coordinate with department superintendent(s) on daily operations, project scheduling, and resources allocation for forestry and natural resources work activity.
- Provide work direction and general oversight of assigned regular, temporary, seasonal staff as well as contractors.
- Organize and coordinate volunteer programs and community events, including tree planting and tree sales.
- Support maintenance divisions of both cities in daily operations and special projects.
- Use GIS and GPS technology to collect, manage, and analyze forestry, environmental and infrastructure data.
- Provide high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
- Collaborate with neighboring municipalities, public agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities.
- Procure materials, supplies, and services in accordance with municipal purchasing policies.
- Prepare reports, correspondence, plans & specifications, and general work orders.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation related to forestry and natural resources.
- Attend city council, board, commission or committee meetings as assigned.
- May work nights and weekends.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Technical college or associate’s degree in forestry or related field (may substitute 7 years direct work experience in forestry for degree).
- Five years of experience in public works, forestry, natural resource management, park maintenance or equivalent.
- Valid Class “D”driver’s license.
- ISA Arborist license or ability to obtain within one year.
- Tree inspector license or ability to obtain within one year.
- Chainsaw training certificate
- Pesticide applicator license
- Two years of experience in working with word processing and spreadsheet software in a Windows environment.
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry or related field.
- Valid commercial driver’s license.
- Two years of supervisory experience.
- Familiar with local government projects specifically in the area of public works, engineering, parks, community development, and planning.
- A working knowledge of asset management systems and practices, including use of GIS (ESRI and ArcMap) and CAD.
- More than five years of experience in public works, forestry, natural resource management, park maintenance or equivalent.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Somali, Laotian or Vietnamese language(s).
- More than two years of experience in working with word processing and spreadsheet software in a Windows environment.
Decision Making: Must act in a decisive manner, using good judgment. Must be able to assess problems and situations, able to anticipate needs and evaluate alternatives. Must be able to read and understand maps, records, drawings, and plans; ability to make sound decisions. Must have a knowledge of the utilization of appropriate resources and the willingness to initiate use of available resources.
Interpersonal Relationships: Must be consistent in dealing with people; must exclude personal biases from work performance; must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline. Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Must have tact and diplomacy; must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department; must have a positive attitude. Must have skill in coaching and mentoring, ability to delegate work effectively, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other departments, outside agencies or vendors, and the general public.
Professional Attitude: Must have commitment to the organization; willingness to take initiative; dependability, maturity in relationships with others; and self confidence. Must have the ability to work and think independently. Must represent the organization to citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude in all types of contact. Must embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
Quality of Work: Must be able to produce quality, accurate work. Must be able to detect and correct errors. Must be able to work productively, efficiently, and safely, and to carry out written and verbal instructions.
Technical Knowledge: Must have the knowledge of urban forestry program operations; ability to provide residents with information regarding tree planting, tree maintenance, plant identification, insect and disease problems, general horticulture and landscaping. Must have the ability to perform compliance inspections, keep records, do inventory, work with others to provide contractual removal and disposal for diseased trees. Must have the ability to effectively maintain records and files. Must have working knowledge of computers, and knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and position specific software applications. Must have the ability to operate and use office equipment.
Must accurately follow codes, statutes, and other technical data. Must have knowledge of Federal, State, and local codes, regulations, and licensure requirements pertaining to public works forestry and natural resources. Must have thorough knowledge of City and department policies and procedures; knowledge of safety principles; knowledge of personnel management techniques; and knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force. Work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to chemicals, and vibration.
Salary : $83,429 - $112,632