Urban Forestry and Sustainability Assistant

Urban Forestry And Sustainability Assistant

This position is responsible for assisting the Public Works Department in support of the Urban Forestry and Sustainability Programs. This position reports to the Urban Forestry Specialist.

Essential Job Functions:

• Evaluates trees with regard to species, size, location, health risk to right-of-way, City property, and private property.
• Records data manually and within the GIS inventory of City trees.
• Contributes to the City's sustainability efforts, both within the organization and through participation in public outreach events.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Agency-Wide

Competencies:

• Professional Excellence:
  Sense of responsibility and commitment; ability to meet expectations; quality of work output; willingness to admit and correct mistakes.
• Communication:
  Ability to express oneself clearly, credibly, and respectfully in an appropriate tone; quality of judgment exercised in what information should be communicated; ability to adjust to different communication styles.
• Teamwork:
  Commitment to team activities; placing value of team success over personal recognition; altruism; impact on team success; willingness to fulfill a variety of roles.
• Engagement:
  Initiative exercised in solving problems; willingness to take on new responsibilities; acting on opportunities and presenting ideas; modeling a positive attitude and resilience; volunteering for group work; praising work of the City and coworkers; demonstrating pride in public service.
• Public Service:
  Views citizens as a priority; demonstrates ethical, trustworthy behavior, stands as an example of servant leadership; maintains trust of the Auburn citizens.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent; one (1) to two (2) years' experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special

Qualifications:

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods, principles, techniques, equipment, tools, and practices of contemporary arboriculture and urban forestry.
• Knowledge of local government operations, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant safety regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of tree species, tree diseases and pests, and common treatment methods for trees afflicted by disease or pests.
• Knowledge of grounds and landscape maintenance principles.
• Knowledge of job-related software and computer programs (e.g., City Works and ArcGIS).
• Knowledge of local government operations, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
• Skill in the development of urban forestry planning, street tree master planning and contemporary streetscape design.
• Skill in the evaluation of tree health.
• Skill in the use and maintenance of a variety of grounds maintenance equipment.
• Skill in using computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Skill in the use of small office equipment, including calculators, copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Skill in effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet and deal with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Ability to get along with others and work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting…