Arborist I

Parks & Recreation Arborist Posting Expires : October 27, 2025 Salary : $60,000 / annually General Description and Classification Standards The City of Atlanta, Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Parks Arborist’s primary job duties include, but are not limited to, responding to requests for inspections of trees on City property, performing tree risk and health assessments on City property according to industry standard BMPs, scheduling any necessary tree work with the City’s Forestry Division or contractors, reviewing requests for permits to perform tree work on trees on City property, and reviewing construction documents submitted to the Office of Parks for compliance with the City of Atlanta’s Tree Protection Ordinance. Additional duties include but are not limited to, supervising staff; directing activities; reviewing plans; addressing groups; and communicating with parties both internal and external to the City of Atlanta, quality assurance; processing associated paperwork and preparing reports, and data entry. This position requires an experienced arborist capable of carrying out most assignments typical of the profession with limited guidance or review. This level would be considered a promotional level and attainable by any incumbents in a work group who demonstrate the necessary knowledge, ability, and performance. Supervision Received Works under very general supervision and reports to the Senior Arborist, Arboricultural Manager, and Director of Parks.Work is mostly independent, but occasionally relies upon other skilled or semi-skilled workers with responsibility for completion of assigned tasks. Essential Duties & Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned. Forestry Services Coordination : 1. Risk Management - Inspect public property trees as requested through Office of Parks Customer Service, then report risk assessment findings in the City’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. As needed, create work orders for Forestry Services to prune trees, remove trees, or perform other arboricultural prescriptions. 2. Proactive Maintenance - Scout work for the Forestry Division, thereby mitigating or abating risk from unreported dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous public property trees. 3. Emergency Response - Marshal and co-ordinate forestry resources during storm events or after storm events to clear rights-of-way for emergency responders. 4. Reforestation - Audit tree plantings to ensure survival or warrantied replacement of third-party tree installations, either as contracted or statutory. 5. Municipal Arboriculture- Establish and review arboricultural standards for the installation and maintenance of trees on public property. Manage full lifecycles of public property trees. 6. Vegetation and Integrated Pest Management - Co-ordinate with Greenhouse Division for invasive species control / suppression. Also, co-ordinate with partner N.G.O.s for forest rehabilitation measures. Community Relations : 1. Customer Service - Offer extension services to the public and civic leadership concerning arboriculture / forestry or specific code issues. This includes phone contacts, e-mails, meetings, and public presentations. Provide prompt replies to emails and phone calls from internal and external customers inquiries regarding tree related issues. 2. Education - Provide expert knowledge for urban forestry, parks, and greenspace. Addresses civic groups, schools, garden clubs, and responds to questions regarding trees in general and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 3. Outreach - Promote community-based environmental services and sustainability measures. 4. Government Service Guide (Closing the Service Loop) – To the best of Office of Parks Arborist’s ability, help citizens navigate various City Departments and Offices to locate agents better suited to answer questions or provide services. Code Enforcement : 1. Permitting - Apply the Tree Protection Ordinance for permitting removal of public property trees in the City’s Accela permitting system. This includes the codified steps of Pre-Construction Conference, Document Review, Posting for Public Appeal, and Approval. Reviews site plans from Office of Buildings and issues permits for tree removal. Oversees tree replacement and protection of existing trees. Works with developers, architects, engineers, and contractors regarding site planning to save trees. 2. Issue Citations for Code Violations - Serve as an A.P.D.-sworn Code Enforcement Agent for Sections 158 (Tree Protection Ordinance) of the Atlanta Municipal Code. 3. Property Research – Per Code, determine ownership and liability of trees by taking site measurements and referencing cadastral maps, property deeds, court filings, and the City’s GIS records. Arboricultural Expertise : 1. Policy Compilation - Update records for National Recreation and Parks Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) documentation (Section 7.9 Natural Resource Management Plan) through tracking and maintaining records of City of Atlanta Environmental Policies. Assist in CAPRA re-certification. 2. Policy Resource - Review pertinent State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division codes, municipal codes, zoning maps, professional manuals, trade journals, Federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and other publications to maintain Departmental compliance and provide a working knowledge base for co-workers, other government agencies, and all Atlantans. 3. Expert Witness - Appear before the Tree Conservation Commission for appeals on administrative decisions, or in Atlanta Municipal Court for enforcement actions related to Code violations. 4. Public Relations (as directed by DPR Communications) - Answer media inquiries with accurate and precise information concerning tree issues. 5. Currency – Attain and maintain professional certifications. Keep expertise current through seminars, classes, and other education opportunities. Must maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification. Troubleshooting and Teamwork : 1. Special Problems - Work with others to resolve Department of Parks and Recreation challenges as they arise (e.g., projects requiring co-ordination with non-Forestry personnel.) 2. Generalist – Adapt and learn quickly to new challenges. Coordinating with other City of Atlanta Departments requires understanding their workflow, responsibilities, and objectives. Decision Making Follows standardized procedures and written instructions to accomplish assigned tasks. Leadership Provided Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, handling employee concerns and problems, assigning work, counseling, and recommending disciplinary and other personnel actions. May assist supervisor by discharging other supervisor duties in his absence. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list. Has general knowledge of urban forestry, practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities. Knows how to develop and administer operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the City. Has general knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to tree-related issues and other responsibilities in serving as a City of Atlanta Arborist. Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, operations, and equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers. Has good organizational, and technical skills. Is able to read, understand, and interpret, development plans, architectural plans, reports, and related materials. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Is able to use independent judgement and discretion in handling emergency situations. Is able to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner. Is able to effectively communicate and interact with management, employees, and members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the City as they relate to the department. Is able to assist in developing and implementing long-term goals for the department in order to promote effectiveness and efficiency. Has ability to learn the principles, practices and procedures of the City and the various department operations and functions. Must be physically able to operate a variety of job-related machines and office equipment. Must be able to move or carry related objects or materials. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for active work. Requires the ability to compare and / or judge the readily observable functional, technical, structural, compositional, or identifiable characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things. Requires the ability to communicate with people to convey or exchange professional information. May require the ability to read a variety of professional, technical, and administrative documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures. May be required to produce reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to communicate with and before others using correct English. Requires the ability to learn and understand subject matter principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision within the scope of respective job duties and tasks; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. May require the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract; multiply and divide totals; determine percentages; determine time and weight; and interpret same as may be appropriate. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape. Requires the ability to utilize job related equipment in the course of accomplishing job duties and tasks associated with respective primary duties. May require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to interact with people (i.e. staff, supervisors, general public and elected officials) beyond giving the receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency. Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities, executing immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur. Follows all safety precautions necessary in operating equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Reviews, and maintains various documents. Minimum Qualifications Must hold a Bachelor's Degree Must be an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified Arborist. Three years of documented work experience in arboriculture; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must pass a background check to hold Atlanta Police Department issued Code Enforcement Credentials. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Botany, Ecology, or related field Two or more years of documented work experience as an ISA certified Arborist. ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualification (TRAQ) Licensures and Certifications Must possess a valid Georgia Driver's License. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. Essential Capabilities and Work Environment Arborist field work requires physical fitness for traversing wilderness terrain; lifting; climbing; for performing First Aid and CPR; for hands-on forestry work such as tree planting, tree pruning, or invasive plant control. Work environments include rights-of-way where situational awareness is essential to safety.