What are the responsibilities and job description for the Urban Forestry Inspector position at City of Raleigh?
Job Description
The City of Raleigh is hiring an Urban Forestry Inspector to join a team who provide oversight in the inspection and assessment of trees. This position is a part of the Urban Foresty Division of the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and is tasked with the planting, management and protection of trees on City-owned and controlled property.
In this role, you’ll ensure consistency with local codes and arboricultural standards for tree related inspections across the City of Raleigh. You will interact with citizens, developers, internal and external stakeholders to provide subject matter expertise related to tree health, hazard mitigation, and ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations. This is a great opportunity to join a team focused on the enhancement, growth and protection of Raleigh’s urban forest.
About You:
The ideal candidate is outgoing, detail oriented, a problem solver with strong communication skills with experience in tree care, planting and landscape plan review. You are customer service focused and able to communicate with a diverse stakeholder group. You have a passion for the environment, enjoy working outdoors and like variety in your daily tasks. You are a self starter who is comfortable being part of team or working individually depending on the task.
About Us:
Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks. The City of Raleigh Urban Forestry Division plants, manages, and protects trees in the city maximizing the environmental, economic and social benefits the urban forest provides while sustaining the urban forest through safe, purposeful and efficient work, effective permitting and oversight, and through cooperative partnerships.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Champions urban tree health by conducting comprehensive evaluations and hazard assessments across City properties and rights-of-way
- Ensures compliance with City code and standards by monitoring contractor work for tree planting, pruning, and removal projects
- Drives efficient tree care by creating and managing work orders, reports, and data for internal and external teams
- Protects and enhances the urban canopy by reviewing landscape and tree protection plans and investigating potential code violations
- Manages tree permitting for City trees, overseeing pruning and removal activities
- Serves as a community expert, responding to inquiries and delivering engaging presentations and trainings on arboriculture
- Contributes to strategic growth by identifying new planting sites, collaborating on volunteer projects, and providing expertise on species selection
- Maintains and updates the City’s tree inventory, gathering vital data to track and report on the urban canopy
- This position requires driving of a City of Raleigh vehicle daily to inspect trees through the City
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Urban Forestry, Landscaping Architecture, or related field; 3 to 5 years' experience in arboriculture or landscape architectureOR
Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
Licensing and Certifications:
- Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
- International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire
- International Society of Arboriculture Tree Rick Assessment Qualification or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire
Additional Information
Knowledge Of:
- Identifying trees, assessing hazards, and diagnosing common pests and diseases
- Arboricultural practices, techniques, equipment, and industry best practices
- Raleigh’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), City Code, and permitting processes
- Reviewing development plans, conducting field verifications, and ensuring code compliance
- Geographic Information System (GIS) software and applications
- Modern office practices, including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, databases, and spreadsheets
Skill In:
- Managing time and projects effectively
- Researching industry trends, solutions, and best practices
- Communicating clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders, both verbally and in writing
- Providing high-level customer service and exercising tact and diplomacy
- Gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to support decision-making and articulate issues, recommendations, and trends
- Preparing, reviewing, and analyzing technical documents and development plans
Ability To:
- Maintain objectivity in inspections, assessments, and code compliance
- Work independently or collaboratively as part of a team
- Serve as a subject matter expert in arboriculture and urban forestry
- Adapt to outdoor work in variable weather conditions while completing assigned tasks
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
ADA and Other Requirements:
Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Medium: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an outdoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in an office or similar indoor environment.
Work Exposures:
There is frequent exposure to loud noises, moving mechanical parts, and toxic or caustic chemicals or substances. Other occasional exposures may include oscillating movements of the extremities or the whole body, electrical currents, and working on scaffolding and high places.
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
222 W. Hargett St.
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601
Salary : $60,400 - $93,600
