Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Parks Superintendent (Urban Forestry), this position performs a variety of technical and administrator duties related to the contract maintenance of trees, tree planting, and tree establishment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversees and inspects contracted tree maintenance services that include: pruning and removal of trees along boulevards, parks, roadways, and shelterbelts, as well as tree planting and tree watering and ensures these services conform to specifications, safety policies, work procedures, departmental saskatoon policies, and related legislation and guidelines.  
• Monitors invoices to ensure they accurately reflect the work completed and that expenditures are within approved budgets.  
• Assists with the development of contract specifications and ensures that the tree inventory accurately reflects the work that will be performed.
• Supervises staff involved in the inspection of contracts and updating tree inventory.
• Investigates and responds to enquiries from the public, civic departments and Urban Forestry staff and proposes mutually agreeable solutions to problems.
• Maintains records related to the operation of the urban forestry program, the computerized tree inventory system, the work order system and related tree inventories.
• Ensures that all contractors adhere to all Corporate and Department policies, procedures, standards and relevant legislation.  
• Acts as a liaison with other Parks Division staff, contractors and other Corporate staff to coordinate work activities.
• Assists with the development of long- and short-range planning for the maintenance, planting and the establishment of boulevard, park and shelterbelt trees.
• Communicates with management on work progress and advises on problems that occur in the field.
• Provides technical support to all aspects of the urban forestry program.
• Supports and promotes a safe and positive workplace culture through a variety of initiatives and activities.
• Supports and promotes the health and safety of employees in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulations in addition to the City of Saskatoon’s Administrative Occupational Health & Safety Policies and departmental procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 education.
• Graduation from a recognized, two-year, post-secondary horticulture program, including a core course in Arboriculture or Urban Forestry.  
• Possession of current Arborist Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Five years’ current experience in horticultural and urban forestry maintenance.
• Possession of a valid Class 5 Saskatchewan Driver’s Licence.
• Current driver’s abstract from SGI demonstrating safe driving record.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid first aid certificate.
• Knowledge of the Tree Pruning Guidelines (1995) as published by the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Knowledge of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300-2001 Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance - Standard Practices and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z133.1-2006: American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations – Safety Requirements.
• Knowledge of the Canadian Standards for Nursery Stock.
• Knowledge of The Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Knowledge of trees, their growth characteristics and maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge of equipment used in urban forestry.
• Ability to identify tree diseases, pests and hazardous tree conditions.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors and the public.  
• Ability to establish and enforce work standards including safe conduct on the job.