Forester

Position Description

About Harris County Flood Control District:

The Flood Control District has the mission to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States, with a population in excess of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. The Flood Control District has jurisdiction over the primary stormwater facilities in the county, which consist of approximately 1,500 channels totaling nearly 2,500 miles in length, as well as more than 60 regional stormwater detention basins, totaling more than 10,000 acres and several wetlands mitigation banks including Greens bayou.

What you will do at Harris County Flood Control District:

The Harris County Flood Control District is seeking qualified candidates for the Forester role, who will be responsible for all work associated with the District’s hazard tree removal program, tree preservation measures, and other forestry duties assigned.

Essential Functions and Duties: Science Based Vegetation & Forest Management

• Use science-based decision-making for the protection and long-term sustainability of the District’s forest assets.
• Conduct site visits to assess vegetation health, determine maintenance needs, and adjust schedules accordingly.
  
  
  

Inventory, Data Analysis & Recordkeeping

• Complete tree inventories using map-based software and analyze data.
• Maintain historical data on tree removal work.
• Update software systems with maintenance activities and schedule changes.
  
  
  

Crew & Contract Oversight

• Evaluate and assign work to both contract and in-house tree maintenance crews. Provide technical guidance when needed.
• Review, revise, and maintain specifications for hazardous tree removal and other vegetation-related contracts.
• Work with project managers and field personnel to ensure vegetation management operations are being delivered efficiently and effectively.
  
  
  

Plan & Standards Review

• Review tree protection plans for compliance with District standards and ISA best management practices.
  
  
  

Contract Administration & Financial Tracking

• Complete monthly contract pay estimates and daily work reports.
• Track expenditure based on funding sources and prepare justifications for additional funding requests.
  
  
  

Additional Responsibilities and Duties

• Assume additional responsibilities as required, adapting to the District's evolving demands, responsibilities, needs, and objectives.
  
  
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net .

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate .

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in F orestry, Urban Forestry, Environmental Science, Horticulture, or a related natural resources field
  
  
  

Experience:

• Five (5) years of verifiable experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, vegetation management, or a related field
  
  
  

Licensure:

• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver’s License
• Requires ISA Arborist Certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
  
  
  

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal & written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS software.
• Knowledge of the principles of arboriculture and forestry.
• Effectively communicate with coworkers, the public, and government representatives.
• Work in an outdoor setting.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects and/or assignments.
  
  
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

License:

• FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot’s License . (preferred)
  
  
  

General Information

Position Type, Salary:

• Regular | Full-Time
• Salary: To be discussed at interview
  
  
  

Location:

• Facilities Maintenance - 7522 Prairie Oak Drive, Houston, Texas 77086
  
  
  

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Frequent walking up and down steep slopes of ditches or on rough and uneven surfaces or ground such as sloping terrain, plowed or furrowed areas, or construction sites.
• Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying items up to 11 pounds, and occasionally lifting to 40 pounds.
• Frequent driving of a vehicle with automatic controls; occasionally ascending and descending stairs.
• Occasional sorting, filing, shelving, and handling documents, books, files, file drawers, and related materials and equipment are required for clerical operations.
• Approximately 10% of duties are performed indoors in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditioning, and noise levels.
• Approximately 90% of duties are performed outdoors, with exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind, dust, vibration, and/or noise in excess of 85 decibels.
• When at field locations, may be exposed to snakes, wildlife, wasps, bees, and other flying/walking insects, aquatic bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, petroleum products including oil, gasoline, grease, diesel, and other fuels and lubricants.
  
  
  

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.