Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Supervisor (Urban Forestry), this position coordinates, and provides tree maintenance technical support to, the urban forestry program.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates tree maintenance and training activities of the urban forestry pruners.
• Supervises and evaluates pruners in the urban forestry program and ensures adherence to specifications, guidelines, safety policies, work procedures, departmental policies and related legislation.
• Provides technical support to various aspects of the urban forestry program.
• Provides corporate training for equipment such as a chipper, stump-cutter and tree-spade.
• 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.
• Maintains records related to the operation of the urban forestry program, the computerized tree inventory system, work order system and related tree inventories.
• Assists with the creation of updated tree inventory using GPS technology.
• Ensures adherence to safety policies, work procedures, departmental policies and related legislation.
• Participates in work-related safety training programs and staff training and development programs.
• Performs a variety of arboricultural practices, including tree health assessment and hazard evaluation.
• Operates, and performs minor repairs to, a variety of equipment used in arboriculture operations.
• Participates in public education and awareness programs related to tree care.
• Assists with the development of short and long-range planning for the maintenance of trees.
• 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

Education, Training and Experience Requirements:

• Grade 12 education.
• Possession of, and the ability to maintain, the Certified Arborist designation from the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Five years’ related tree maintenance experience including 2 years supervisory experience.
• Successful completion of a recognized tree-climbing course.
• Successful completion or ability to obtain within 6 months a recognized training certification course.
• Successful completion or ability to complete successfully, a recognized aerial lift training course.
• Possession of a valid Saskatchewan Class 5A Driver’s Licence.
• Current driver’s abstract from SGI demonstrating a safe driving record.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid recognized first aid and CPR certificate.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• 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.
• Physical ability to perform the assigned duties.  
• Ability to supervise the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to operate safely, and perform minor repairs to, a variety of equipment including but not limited to chipper, stump-cutter, tree-spade equipment and to a variety of hand tools and small equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and other civic employees.
• Ability to work in a computerized/digital environment, including the use of Microsoft Outlook, SAP and mobile devices.