Description
The City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department is looking for an experienced
Managing Arborist.
Why Join Our Department?
The Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and strengthen the bonds of community by providing an appropriate mix of safe, well-maintained and well-designed parks, open spaces, and community center facilities that are accessible for all residents; provide enriching leisure opportunities for all age groups; and to preserve and protect the City’s natural resources, including its urban forest, public open spaces, and landscaped medians and islands.
As Managing Arborist, you will serve as the strategic lead in our campaign to sustain and enhance our urban forest. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on the community for years to come by implementing tree care practices that improve the safety, beauty and environment of the City.
Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g
Ideal Candidate
What You’ll Do
Under direction, oversees all aspects of the Arbor Management programs including: developing, implementing, and maintaining the City’s urban forest, staff supervision; contract management; and community relations. Performs related duties as required.
Duties may include but are not limited to, the following:
- Plan, organize and direct all tree related operations in accordance with program guidelines and budgetary limits.
- Recommend modifications to policies, programs and procedures or initiate changes as appropriate.
- Supervise personnel assigned to tree-related development review activities including: assignment, prioritization and review of work: performance evaluation; training; and providing effective input on personnel actions.
- Prepare, receive and review bids for contract work; award contracts within policy guidelines; and monitor performance.
- Develop and maintain public education materials.
- Maintain and ensure compliance with the San Mateo Municipal Code; and administer the Department’s tree programs and tree-protection guidelines as regards private projects.
- In conjunction with the Building and Planning Divisions, recommend, review and enforce applicable regulations concerning private construction and development projects.
- Maintain the street tree inventory.
- Fully utilize the computerized work systems in accordance with workflow processes.
- Inspect areas to confirm compliance with the Department’s tree requirements.
- Respond to inquiries from citizens, businesses and other concerned parties; and take action if warranted and authorized.
- Maintain liaison with Department divisions, other City Departments and with other agencies and organizations.
- Serve as the Division Manager as needed.
- Serve on Department and City committees as needed; and participate in conferences and inter-agency groups.
- Regularly monitor tree-related operations and programs and made recommendation to the Director as appropriate.
Direction is received from the Parks and Recreation Director with work reviewed primarily for results attained. Work direction may be provided to assigned City staff and project supervision to contractors.
For a comprehensive list of duties, reference the job specification at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Index/86.
Who You Are
- An individual who possesses thorough knowledge principles, techniques and equipment used in arboriculture; tree diseases and their treatment; safety practices related to the work; principles of supervision, program administration, budget management and customer relations; report preparation and records management; personal computer applications.
- An individual who possesses the ability to acquire a thorough knowledge of Department and Division policies and regulations; and of applicable City policies; acquire a thorough knowledge of applicable local, State and Federal laws and regulations; effectively manage tree programs, including staff and contractor supervision; accurately evaluate both short-term and long-term program needs, and develop the means to meet them; evaluate contractor proposals in terms of cost-effectiveness and potential for quality performance; prepare effective and accurate reports, project cost estimates and budget projections; maintain accurate records and make accurate arithmetic calculations, use computers and handheld electronic devices in the course of work; communicate effectively in writing and in person; maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
What You Bring
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
- Two years of increasingly responsible experience in the supervision of tree maintenance and related forestry operations.
- Equivalent to possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in arboriculture, park management or a related curriculum.
- Possession of a valid, appropriate California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.
- Possession of a current Arborist Certificate from the International Society of Arborists.
Bonus Points (highly desirable)
- Possession of a current State Pest Control Advisor’s Certificate is desirable.
ADA Special Requirement:
Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Ability to work in a standard office and field environment, including exposure to inclement weather; and ability to work extended hours and respond to emergency situations.
Benefits
Salary: $10,334 - $12,323 Monthly
- Comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave and health benefits
- CalPERS retirement (2% @ 55 for classic members; 2% @ 62 for new members). Classic employees contribute 8.34% to CalPERS and New members contribute 7.5% to CalPERS
- Participation in the Social Security Program
- City contribution of 1.5% of base salary to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and a 1.0% match to the Employee’s voluntary contribution.
- The City contributes 0.25% of base salary to a Retiree Health Savings Account
- Free Fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation
- For more information please refer to the Management Association Benefits Summary effective January 2022.
- This classification is represented by the San Mateo Management Association.