Temporary Development Review Arborist

Job Summary

This role is a temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2028. The Development Review Arborist provides arboricultural development review services for the Planning and Building Department. Reviews development applications for compliance with City tree management and landscape regulations. Works cooperatively with City staff and departments as needed to coordinate vegetation management practices. Applies professional judgment to make recommendations and decisions regarding tree retention, selection of appropriate vegetation, tree health and safety, and other related development issues.

Works with internal and external customers. Distinguishing characteristics:
This position performs significant work with arboricultural and natural resource management. Provides a prominent level of education, expertise, and direction towards the care, safety, retention, and planting of trees and vegetation around the City and on construction sites. Development Review positions apply professional and educated judgment to make recommendations regarding the management and impact planning and development will have on the surrounding natural resources.

The Development Review Arborist evaluates and assesses trees and conducts field inspections, but unlike the Field Arborist, this position does not perform maintenance or pruning.

Essential functions:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews development applications for compliance with City's zoning regulations, evaluates trees on development sites, and makes discretionary permitting decisions.
• Reviews tree removal notifications and tree removal permits for compliance with regulations.
• Recommends amendments to relevant tree policies and regulations.
• Leads internal working groups related to implementation of City tree policies and goals through application of the zoning code.
• Presents permit decisions to the Hearing Examiner, which includes writing staff reports and testifying at quasi-judicial hearings.
• Participates as needed in pre-application and pre-construction meetings to convey information about the City's regulations.
• Evaluates/assesses hazard trees.
• Conducts field inspections of landscape projects to determine compliance with designs, plans, specifications, and conditions of approval.
• Provides information to the general public, permit applicants, and public officials (over the telephone, at the counter, through e-mail, and at meetings) regarding the City's tree regulations and policies. Provides advice concerning appropriate tree retention, planting and maintenance practices.
• Provides peer review of arborist reports for compliance with development regulations.
• Plans and conducts training sessions for staff, arborists, applicants and citizens on development regulations and in the care and maintenance of trees and plantings.
• Supports Planning staff with site visits and inspections.
• Supports the Code Enforcement Officer, including code analysis and site visits. Provides subject matter expertise to the Code Enforcement team on code compliance cases, which involves writing reports and testifying in code enforcement hearings.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral duties:
Acts as liaison between the city and utility companies regarding periodic tree trimming and removal. Provides technical review of vegetation issues for public construction and repair projects. Prepares public information regarding trees. May work to resolve disputes and facilitate consensus on issues pertaining to trees and serve as a technical resource to City officials involved in dispute resolution. May provide tree valuations and appraisals.

Promotes public awareness in the value of Kirkland's urban forest. Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you! If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment,…