Washington State Parks is governed by a board of seven volunteer citizens appointed by the Governor. Commission members serve staggered six-year terms, setting public policy and guiding the agency. The Washington state park system includes more than 100 developed parks, recreation programs, trails, boating safety and winter recreation.

         
Our Mission
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission cares for Washington's most treasured lands, waters and historic places. State parks connect all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreational and educational experiences that enhance their lives. 

Our Vision
Washington's state parks will be cherished destinations with natural, cultural, recreational, artistic and interpretive experiences that all Washingtonians enjoy, appreciate and proudly support.

Washington State Parks employs more than 500 permanent staff and more than 350 seasonal and temporary staff throughout the state. The headquarters office is located in Tumwater, and region offices are located in Burlington, East Wenatchee and Tumwater.

This announcement is for a full-time, permanent, Natural Resource Specialist 5 (Arborist Supervisor) position located out of Tumwater, WA.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the manager listed in the "Supplemental Information" section of this publication.

DUTIES:

Washington State Parks Stewardship program is charged with conserving and protecting the unique, yet vulnerable, natural and cultural heritage preserved within Washington's diverse state park system, while providing sustainable recreational and educational opportunities for current and future generations.  State Parks' trees are among our most treasured natural resource and are present in nearly every one of our parks, where they are part of each park's character, ecology, and intrinsic value.

Under the direction of the Agency Forester, this position manages the agency's statewide tree care and tree risk reduction program and directly administers operations of the agency's three arbor crews.  They are responsible for implementing and upholding agency policies to reduce risk associated with failing trees and to extend the health of trees in State Parks and be a steward of State Parks' natural resources.  They coordinate and ensure timely and professional arboricultural services and provide expert technical assistance to park staff concerning tree care and tree risk.  They serve as the agency's representative in negotiating interagency, arbor services-related tasks.  They perform tree assessments and inventories at individual state parks, consult on best practices to protect trees during construction projects, and recommend advanced assessments and treatment techniques. The incumbent must exercise independent judgement and critical thinking in support of the agency's mission.  

• Supervise six arborist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) positions within the 3 arbor crews located in northwest, southwest, and eastern regions.
• Coordinate between arbor crews and park staff to ensure efficient and effective planning, scheduling, implementation, and documentation of arboriculture field work by the arbor crews.
• Expertly assess tree risk and health issues, providing recommendations to lower the agency's risk associated with failing trees, while enhancing the long-term health and aesthetics of agency trees.
• Serve as the agency's representative in negotiating, tracking, and reporting inter-agency, arbor services-related tasks with WSDOT, WDFW, WDNR, and other state and local agencies.
• Administer the arbor crew budget and equipment inventory, maintenance spending, and purchase of arbor-related equipment.  Evaluate and determine special equipment and skills required to perform arbor crew duties.
• Maintain and curate tree risk activity GIS database.  Track and evaluate program accomplishments.
• Help develop content and deliver classes that train park staff in the assessment of tree risk, tree care principles, managing trees in construction projects, and safe chainsaw and chipper use. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in natural resources or a closely related field.
• Six (6) years of experience as a journey-level arborist, consulting arborist, urban forester, or other tree care professional.
• Three (3) years of experience managing or supervising staff.
• Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
• Certified Tree Risk Assessor through the ISA Pacific Northwest Chapter or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment. 
• Valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license.  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• College coursework in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, botany, plant pathology, or entomology.
• Experience in the care of native and ornamental trees common to the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience as a working arborist conducting tree maintenance and removal activities.
• Experience as an arborist crew foreman or supervisor.
• Experience planning and bidding arborist jobs.
• Experience conducting tree risk assessments and tree inventories.
• College coursework and/or working knowledge of GIS.

To ensure consideration, please complete the online job application and profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Use reference number 03798 when searching for the job announcement.

You must attach or embed in your application the following:

• Letter of interest specifically addressing the qualification listed in this announcement.
• Current Resume.
• Three Professional references.