Job Detail

Senior Manager Forestry, City Forester

Location: Fort Collins, CO
Salary: Hiring Range $78,225.00 - $95,000.00

POSITION TITLE:  SR MANAGER, FORESTRY   (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #:  req1601
DEPARTMENT:  forestry
LOCATION:  PARKS MAINTENANCE SHOP
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:  Full-Time Regular
HIRING RANGE: $78,225.00-95,000.00
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:   $78,225.00 - 130,375.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS:  Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 7/20/2018.
You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check, MVR and drug test required.

Located against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and home to Colorado State University (CSU), the City of Fort Collins offers a diverse culture, educated and engaged citizens, outdoor recreation, bicycles, breweries, historic charm, and a thriving economy. Throughout the year, live music and entertainment, as well as great local dining, can be found throughout the historic downtown area. Fort Collins offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a larger city.  

The City’s long list of acknowledgements includes:  

• No. 8 Top 25 Best-Performing Large Cities (Yahoo Finance 2016)
• “Top Ten Websites” Best of The Web Awards (Center for Digital Government – September 2016)  
• Top 10 Healthiest Cities" (Livability.com - April 2015)
• No. 13 “Best Place to Live” (Livability.com - September 2015)
• No. 9, and “One of the Top 10 Best Places to Retire” (CBS Money Watch - February 2012)

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

-   Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following 30 days employment

-   Paid vacation, paid holidays, and sick days 

-   Retirement + company matching – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting

-   Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both  

-   Employee Assistance Program: counselling, legal, financial assistance 

-   Life insurance, short-term and long term disability 

-   Wellness program, workout facilities 

-   Employee/family Onsite Health Clinic 

-   Personal & professional learning opportunities including supervisory and leadership development; plus career mobility

-   Collaborative work environment

Forestry Division:

 

The City of Fort Collins received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2017.  Fort Collins was just the third municipality to receive this award. The Fort Collins Forestry Division has been recognized as being a leader in the profession. The Division and its staff have received several awards. The Forestry Division manages 53,000 city property trees located on public right-of-way and in parks, golf courses, cemeteries and other city property. Davey Tree Keeper is used for inventory management. The inventory has been increasing at around 2,000 trees per year and with an exceptional diversity of tree species. The Vegetation Ordinance and the Land Use Code grant authority and define standards for urban forest management. The Division includes 15 fulltime employees (City Forester, Senior Urban Forester, Forestry Supervisor, 2-Forestry Specialists, 3-Crew Chiefs, 6-Forestry Technicians, 1-Forester Field Worker). The Forestry fleet includes equipment for staff and three city tree crews. The Division contracts for tree maintenance work and for most tree planting. The City Forester’s Tree Pruning Frequency Standards are funded to prune small trees on a five-year cycle and large trees on a seven-year cycle. The 2018 budget is $2.4 million. The Division has a strategy map that is updated annually. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has not yet been detected in Fort Collins, but likely will be within 5 years. The Forestry Division has an EAB Management Plan that defines the pre-infestation and post-infestation responses. The Parks and Recreation Board is a citizen appointed advisory board that reviews policy and major operational projects for the Forestry and Parks Divisions. The Division licenses commercial arborists and enforces the City of Fort Collins’ Tree Management Standards approved by the City Manager. Forestry is involved in the development review process with the necessary fulltime employees assigned to this task. All public and private development plans are reviewed by Forestry, with project city tree planting authorized by a forestry permit. Forestry staff works with other city departments and the community on urban forest management, planning and issues. Educational materials are provided, and community outreach is conducted on topics related to tree care, protection and design. Fort Collins has an extensive Arbor Day program and first received the Tree City USA award in 1978. The City Park Arboretum includes over 220 species or cultivars and is used by citizens, students and professionals.

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under general direction, oversees the general health and condition of the urban forest in an effort to provide a safe environment, reduce liability, protect and preserve the urban forest canopy for the city. Leads the Forestry Division of the Parks Department by providing direction and supervision to staff in the areas of urban forestry operations. Develops the Division budget and provides fiscal management. Serves as the leader and spokesperson for urban forestry within the City of Fort Collins organization and throughout the community. Provides exceptional customer service to community residents. Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the City and the Department/Division.

 

DUTES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Leads and manages the Forestry Division for the Parks Department of the city including the following:

• Serves as the leader and spokesperson for urban forestry within the City of Fort Collins organization and throughout the community.
• Develops urban forestry management plans and coordinates short and long-range planning activities to ensure sound stewardship of public trees based on divisional and department goals.
• Develops and implements policies and practices for urban forestry operations and maintenance that reflect community input, divisional goals and objectives and industry standards.
• Monitors all urban forestry maintenance activities under staff management on city properties including city parks and street rights-of-way for attainment of goals and objectives.
• Actively participates in the development of city codes, plans and regulations pertaining to the management and protection of the urban forest and benefits provided.
• Supervises senior staff, conducts performance evaluations, reviews goals and objectives and provides direction in determination of operational priorities.
• Performs operational analysis for project management of division work. Works with staff to determine data based operational changes or improvements.

Coordinates the urban forestry maintenance activities including the following:

• Evaluates annual work plans and priorities under senior staff management for attainment of goals and objectives.
• Monitors tree safety inspection program to ensure public safety and reduce tree liabilities due to tree failure.
• Oversees the planting program and street and park tree pruning rotation, contracted services for forestry maintenance activities, under staff management for attainment of goals and objectives.
• Ensures that potentially epidemic insect and disease outbreaks are monitored, identified and managed, and that coordination occurs with multiple local, state and federal agencies to implement monitoring and eradication programs. 
• Oversees forestry emergency response activities relating to tree hazards due to weather related events; coordinates with other city departments based on the city Storm Classification Plan.
• Monitors tree inventory, GIS database and ongoing city-wide surveys under staff management for attainment of goals and objectives.
• Develops Tree Management Standards that apply to tree pruning and removal on city property and work performed on private trees by licensed arborists; authorized by city code and approved by the City Manager.
• Develops requirements for a Fort Collins Arborist License and monitors the licensing and enforcement process under staff management.

​Performs fiscal management duties for the Forestry Division including the following:

• Develops with the Parks Director, long range financial planning, the biennial Forestry Division budget, and supportive narrative information for budget offers. 
• Develops budget performance metrics that display work in relation to a target budget outcome. 
• Manages the forestry budget, determines and authorizes appropriate expenditures.
• Compiles, maintains and presents financial information and reports in coordination with the financial support staff.

Coordinates the development review process for urban forestry including the following:

• Monitors the forestry review of landscape and tree protection plans for proposed public and private development projects under staff management for conflict resolution, code compliance and need for technical assistance.
• Supports the assigned forestry staff member in the coordination with city departments, landscape architects and landscape contractors for site design of new tree plantings and to resolve design and tree conflicts on construction projects.
• Develops and modifies the Forestry Division’s design and review specifications to ensure high quality trees are being planted in the right locations prior to the City accepting maintenance responsibility. 
• Develops a City of Fort Collins Street Tree List of suitable species and cultivars for planting in the public right-of-way.

Participates in departmental initiatives to enhance environmental and economic sustainability, including the following:

• Coordinates the Community Forest Assessment plan with other environmental initiatives such as the Climate Action Plan.
• Develops strategies to meet water conservation guidelines and best management practices for urban tree health.
• Analyzes potential opportunities to develop, coordinate and implement projects to further the goal of urban forestry sustainability working with other city departments and outside agencies and organizations.

Coordinates community outreach on the value of the urban forest including the following:

• Actively builds and maintains relationships with city departments, neighborhood associations and other community groups.
• Develops educational material and conducts outreach on topics related to tree care, protection and design.
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports to departmental and city management staff, public groups, City Council, boards and governmental agencies.
• Responds to citizen and Council concerns through established communication protocols.

Other:

• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Ensures safety compliance within the Forestry Division. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies and participating in professional trainings and development.
• Oversee the development, modification, enforcement and compliance of sections of the City Code and Land Use Code pertaining to Urban Forest and Tree Service Business Licensing and the City Forestry Standards as promulgated under City Code.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for the supervision of non-collective bargaining unit City employees.

 

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in urban tree care/maintenance.
• Knowledgeable of Colorado native and urban tree species, their management needs, and insect and disease problems.
• Budget management experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide a high level of technical assistance in forestry matters.
• Ability to communicate issues effectively, both orally and in writing with the public, boards and City Council, city personnel, other agencies and community groups.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work extensively with multiple departments and local agencies.
• Ability to review landscape plans to scale.
• Computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.    Preferred knowledge of GIS and related functions.
• Preferred knowledge of and experience with municipal government functions, codes and processes.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, forest management, or related field, and a minimum of ten years progressive responsible experience working in an urban tree management capacity or any equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Preferred Master’s degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, forest management, or related field.
• A minimum of five years of supervisory experience.
• Preferred urban forestry experience in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain West or High Plains regions. 

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license.
• General Arborist Certification by the International Society of Arboriculture.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers, handle or feel; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This job is predominantly performed in a fast paced, interactive office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and a loud noise level. 

 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities.  Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use: Because the possession and use of marijuana,

whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical

use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy. The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age 40 years or older, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by law. For the purpose of this City policy “sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality.

BACKGROUND CHECK/MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT AND DRUG TEST REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities.  Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use: Because the possession and use of marijuana,

whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical

use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy. The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age 40 years or older, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by law. For the purpose of this City policy “sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG TEST REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.

 

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