Associate Arborist

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

The Public Works Department is actively seeking an Associate Arborist.

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is professional urban forestry work as it relates to county-wide tree planting projects and maintenance. The work requires knowledge, understanding, and application of the techniques, methods, and procedures of urban forestry, arboriculture, botany, and horticulture that is gained through degree-granting schools or an equivalent level of practical knowledge gained through experience. Contacts with others require skills in understanding and/or influencing people and are important in providing client services, including skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to other points of view that is required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around.

The work is standardized, and because of changing priorities or different situations, the worker has the latitude to consider which procedures or standards should be followed and in what sequence. The work involves differing situations requiring the use of judgment in search of solutions or new applications. Work is performed in both an office and field environment where risks and hazards are minimal, known, predictable, and controllable.

Operates a utility vehicle, standard office equipment such as computer, calculator and copier, tools associated with the assessment of trees and tree planting sites, and tools used to train others in the care and maintenance of newly planted trees. Physical demands consist mainly of visually inspecting trees, using equipment, and occasionally lifting objects weighing less than fifty (50) pounds. Work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied and although subject to standard practices and procedures, the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to supervisor’s approval.

• Plans, assigns, schedules, monitors, directs, reviews, and evaluates the work of crews and contractors engaged in tree procurement, tree installation, tree maintenance, and forest maintenance.
• Conducts field studies, compiles data, and prepares recommendations.
• Monitors planting projects.
• Maintains computerized record systems of studies and projects.
• Maintains a database and inventory of the City’s trees.
• Responds to and administers citizen driven service requests.
• Responds to citizen right-of-way planting requests through MyJax System.
• Responds to public damaged tree claims and manages the replanting of trees.
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, and other related software applications.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.

• Knowledge of botany, arboriculture, urban forestry, and horticultural theories, principles and practices.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, rules, standards, and regulations governing urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in urban forestry operations.
• Knowledge of basic species of trees and of their growth, maintenance conditions, and needs.
• Knowledge of soils and methods of plant cultivation compatible with local environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of research design and statistical and modeling methods and techniques.
• Ability to plan, assign, schedule, monitor, direct review and evaluate the work of crews and contractors engaged in tree planting, maintenance, pruning, removal, restoration and application of pesticides.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret…