Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Parks Supervisor (Urban Forestry), this position performs a variety of technical, administrative and customer service duties related to the preservation and maintenance of trees on city property.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Advances and promotes tree preservation and protection by establishing and maintaining effective communication and coordination with other departments, consultants, contractors, developers, planners, and the public.
• Conducts inspections of sites for compliance with the City’s Tree Protection Bylaw and Trees on City Property Policy, and may solicit property owners, in writing, to complete work.
• Prepares and sends letters to property owners, developers, and members of public regarding violations of the Tree Protection Bylaw and Trees on City Property policy.
• Reviews demolition, development, driveway crossing, building move, encroachment, and landscape drawings and provides recommendations to ensure compliance with the Tree Protection Bylaw and policies.
• Leads the review of existing policies and guidelines and assists in developing new programs dedicated to the adoption of tree preservation principles and best practices.
• Supervises staff involved with administering and enforcing tree protection on city property.
• Ensures inspection reports, daily reports, time sheets, incident reports, etc. are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Investigates, and responds to, tree-related concerns by meeting with members of the public to provide information about the Urban Forestry program and services and, when necessary, proposes mutually agreeable solutions.
• Evaluates trees for structural defects and other hazardous conditions, provides assessments of tree risk and failure potential, and makes recommendations for the appropriate maintenance response.
• Maintains records related to the Urban Forestry program, the computerized tree inventory system, work order system, and tree inventories.
• Participates in public education and awareness programs related to tree protection.
• Mentors and guides staff with respect to work practices and duties in the Urban Forestry area.
• Facilitates and participates in public education and awareness programs related to tree care.
• Facilitates and participates in work-related safety training programs and staff training and development programs.
• 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.
• Graduation from a 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.
• Possession of and ability to maintain current Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) from the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Four years’ related tree maintenance and tree evaluation experience, including one year supervising staff. 
• Successful completion of, or ability to successfully complete, recognized supervisory courses.
• 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, Abilities and Skills

• Considerable knowledge of arboriculture principles, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of The Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, direct and instruct staff.
• Ability to interpret design plans, working drawings, and maps.
• Knowledge of trees, their growth characteristics and maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge of equipment used in urban forestry.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors, and the public.  
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to solve problems and manage conflicts in a positive and timely manner.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft applications, City email, Enterprise Resource Planning systems (SAP), mapping, inventory applications and website updates.
• Physical ability to perform the assigned duties, including outdoors in adverse weather conditions.