Arborist

Description

This position is responsible for implementing the City’s Strategic Tree Canopy Plan, managing the City’s tree canopy, overseeing the Tree Advisory Board, engaging with the community, overseeing existing and future tree projects, and ensuring compliance with landscape development standards. The arborist will also assist with the adoption and enforcement of the City’s Tree Ordinances and the development of standard operating procedures.

This position is responsible for implementing the City’s Strategic Tree Canopy Plan, managing the City’s tree canopy, overseeing the Tree Advisory Board, engaging with the community, overseeing existing and future tree projects, and ensuring compliance with landscape development standards. The arborist will also assist with the adoption and enforcement of the City’s Tree Ordinances and the development of standard operating procedures.

This position is temporarily funded through October 30, 2026, by the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, and may be extended with additional grant or other funding sources.

Under general supervision, performs work of considerable difficulty in advanced professional arborist and landscape professional functions. The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this job. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

• Conducts municipal tree survey and inventory through use of a software program.
• Researches and maintains urban forestry related policies.
• Provides arboriculture, forestry, and landscape consultation on development and capital improvement plan projects.
• Reviews and evaluates permits and plans of development with a focus on tree and landscaping standards.
• Performs tree assessments to include the inspection, diagnosis, and initiation of appropriate work orders and reports for trees in City right-of-way and hazardous trees to ensure public safety.
• Manages City tree planting projects as well as coordinates with other local tree planting efforts.
• Acquires and maintains Tree City USA designation.
• Works directly with the Tree Advisory Board.
• Recruits, organizes, trains, and leads volunteers engaged in urban forestry activities.
• Provides training, as needed, to other departments for inspection and review purposes as to applicable sections of the City development ordinances to increase efficiency.
• Prepares various management reports, proposals, grant and award applications, budget documents and public relations material.
• Directs and develops forest management and resource protection programs by providing direction for staff and consultants, administering nursery Riparian Forestry and other programs, formulating, recommending and implementing policies, code provisions, specifications and guidelines for forest resource protection, reviewing drawings and specifications and making recommendations to provide for or protect existing trees and other vegetation, monitoring construction projects, providing general supervision, and establishing goals and objectives.

• Provide guidance to employees assisting with tree maintenance or inventory work.
• Represent the City at regional forestry and environmental conferences or municipal planning meetings.
• Ensures proper tree trimming and removals near power lines while maintaining compliance with safety regulations.
• Assists with tree‑related emergency response after storms, including assessing damage and coordinating cleanup.
• Addresses resident concerns about tree health, maintenance requests, and ordinance compliance.
• Participates in public outreach events that may occur outside regular working hours.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Park Administration or a closely related degree.

International Society of Arboriculture designation as a Certified Arborist required. Must have a current and valid driver’s license. Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ -…