Denver Parks and Recreation: City Forester

Position Title: 

Summary:

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

The City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation Department oversees a diverse portfolio of natural resources for the City and County of Denver which include over 200 urban parks, approximately 2,000 acres of urban natural areas and 14,000 acres of mountain parks outside Denver in the Counties of Jefferson, Douglas, and Clear Creek.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The City and County of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a City Forester to provide expertise and technical direction in the management of Denver’s extensive urban forest. This position will also be asked to provide critical direction in the management of the Denver’s urban tree canopy and oversee citywide Forestry operations.

Denver is proud to have a City Forester leading a dedicated team of urban forestry staff. Through planting promotion programs and regulation, Denver’s broad tree canopy thrives. Denver’s publicly owned street trees are under regulation of the City Forester, but their maintenance responsibility is shared across the city by adjacent landowners. The Division works directly with the Colorado State Forest Service, the US Forest Service, CSU Extension, and various other organizations focused on forest management and resource conservation.

The Office of the City Forester is responsible for:

• The direct maintenance of public trees within public spaces, parks, designated parkways, and natural areas.

• Oversight of public right of way trees per (Municipal Code, Chapter 57) and taking actions to improve the overall quality of Denver’s urban tree canopy.

Specifically, as the City Forester you will:

• Implement the goals, strategies, and actions of the Game Plan for a Healthy City.

• Implement the goals, strategies, and actions of Denver’s Urban Forestry Strategic Plan.

• Manage the city-wide urban forestry program which is responsible for the maintenance and care of public property trees, the enforcement of municipal codes pertaining to tree protection and preservation, the review of city-wide development/utility plans regarding trees, and education and outreach programs.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of work plans based on the annual and strategic plans. Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives.

• Plan, implement, and maintain public safety initiatives including tree risk assessment and mitigation and the emergency response program.

• Establish enforcement procedures to protect, preserve and renew Denver’s existing urban forest, ensure new projects will maximize the long-term potential of tree benefits, and create and evaluate programs that will capitalize on the environmental services the urban forest provides.

• Oversee the administration of enforcement of applicable codes and ordinances and resolve conflicts when trees interface with other systems and human needs.

• Communicate annual work plans to employees and ensure employees are focused on the work plan and achieving performance standards.

• Monitor and direct operations to ensure policies and procedures are being followed. Ensure goals and objectives are met, services are provided efficiently and effectively, and take corrective action when needed.

• Ensure staff and financial resources are utilized appropriately and shift resources based on business needs within budget restraints.

• Resolve operational and management issues, make decisions that are inclusive of multiple perspectives and solve underlying problems.

• Represent the forestry division in meetings with elected and/or appointed officials and other city entities. Serve as a city representative on various committees. Foster collaborative relationships that benefit the organization.

• Create and administer work group procedures and recommend and implement process improvements and policies for work groups.

• Establish performance metrics for staff and work areas. Assist staff to achieve performance standards and identify opportunities for continual improvement to performance standards.

• Resolve escalated employee and citizen complaints.

• Select, train, develop, and evaluate subordinate staff. Make decisions on hiring, terminations, promotions, and disciplinary actions.

• Participate in the development of budget recommendations for operating and capital expenditures.

Minimum Requirements

• Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in urban forestry, forestry, arboriculture, natural resources, business administration or a related field

• Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of supervisory experience in a forestry operation or five years of experience at an administrator level in a forestry operation

• Education/Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

• Licensure: Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

desired qualifications:

We are seeking a City Forester skilled in quick, clear decision making and delivering high quality results that are focused on customer needs and achieving program goals. This individual will have strong influencing and coaching skills, will think strategically, and promote best practices alongside leading-edge ideas.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

• At least seven (7) years of experience supervising within a forestry operation and ten (10) years of hands-on experience in the field.

• Experience and knowledge in green infrastructure, trees and construction, urban wood utilization, urban heat mitigation and climate-smart management, tree selection, plant health care, emergency management, plan review and ecosystem services.

• Experience developing, implementing, and adjusting annual budgets.

• The following certifications and qualifications: ISA Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification, Municipal Specialist Certification, and Board Certified Master Arborist

equal employment opportunity:

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.