Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Urban Forestry Supervisor, this position coordinates, and provides technical support to, the Urban Forestry program.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides technical support to all aspects of the Urban Forestry program. 
• Reviews landscape plans for new streetscape and park construction projects undertaken by the City and developers and provides comments pertaining to tree species selection, spacing and location.
• Represents the Urban Forestry Section at inspections for all capital construction projects involving trees and assesses trees for health, structure, installation and establishment maintenance, including Construction Completion Certificate (CCC) and Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC).
• Coordinates annual industrial tree planting and watering program activities for Urban Forestry. 
• Assist with the City’s annual tender for ordering trees as it pertains to industrial tree planting needs.
• Investigates, and responds to, tree-related concerns by meeting with clients to provide information about the Urban Forestry program and services and, when necessary, proposing mutually agreeable solutions.
• Assists with the administration, supervision and inspection of the work of staff and contractors, to ensure adherence to specifications, guidelines, safety policies, work procedures, Departmental policies and related legislation.
• Maintains records related to the operation of the urban forestry program, the computerized tree inventory system, work order system and related tree inventories.
• 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. 
• Participates in work-related safety training programs and staff training and development programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 education. 
• Diploma in horticulture program, including a core course in arboriculture or urban forestry.
• Possession of, and the ability to maintain, current Certified Arborist designation from the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Three years' current, related arboricultural experience, including one year's current supervisory experience.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within three months after hire, all relevant Saskatchewan Pesticide Applicator Permits. 
• Possession of a valid, recognized first aid certificate.
• Possession of a valid Saskatchewan Class 5 Driver's Licence. 
• Current driver’s abstract from SGI demonstrating a safe driving record.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Regulations as they pertain to urban forestry operations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, to species and cultivar, the woody plant material used in the urban forest. 
• Demonstrated ability to apply arboriculture principles, practices and techniques to the pruning, planting and general maintenance of trees.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate trees for structural defects, insects, disease and other hazardous conditions, assess tree risk and failure potential and make recommendations for the appropriate maintenance response. 
• Ability to interpret landscape plans, as-built drawings and maps.
• Ability to work in a cooperative work group.
• Ability to operate safely, and perform minor repairs to, a variety of equipment used in urban forestry operations.
• Physical ability to perform the assigned duties.
• Skill in the operation of a computer with related database and work order software.
• Skill in the use of GPS technology and related software.