Arborist

JOB OVERVIEW

The Arborist is responsible for implementing and assisting in the long-term care of the approximately 30,000 trees in Prospect Park and all aspects of the commemorative tree program. The Arborist manages forested lands for conservation, recreational, and economic purposes, devises plans for planting and maintaining new trees, monitors and plans for healthy growth and IPM, and conducts tree assessments. The Arborist coordinates and supervises tree service contracts and supervises the Seasonal Tree Care Technician and Tree Planters.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES

General Tree & Park Care

• Under general direction of the Director of Landscape Management, with wide latitude for independent initiative and decision making, perform and prioritize advanced professional arboricultural functions in the field and office, such as but not limited to general tree inspections, disease ID and treatment, storm damage clean up, and pruning needs and schedules.
• Supervise and hire employees and volunteers involved in professional forestry activities, by prioritizing forest needs, setting work schedules, approving time off requests, and filling out timesheets of the seasonal PPA employees in Paylocity.
• Coordinate forestry work in Prospect Park with the NYC Parks Brooklyn Forestry team.
• Compile and manage treecare contracts, including tree maintenance, integrated pest management, pruning and removals.
• Oversee the work of contractors in the park and maintain records on contract budget and payments.
• Document all work on trees in Prospect Park in a database and pull reports from that database.
• Work with Alliance staff to undertake tree work (e.g., pruning, removal, and clearing of storm damage) safely and effectively with the support of Prospect Park Alliance crews as needed.
• Create and implement measures to support key specimen trees, including decompaction, fencing, mulching, fertilization or other soil amendments, and other interventions.
• Remove snow and perform other emergency response activities throughout the park as assigned.
• Conduct surveys of trees in designated areas in alignment with the NYC Parks TIVR system and in coordination with PPA's Design and Construction team.
• Remove hazards in the park and/or mitigate hazardous situations.
• Assist crews from LMO and M&O when necessary for emergencies, special events, or special projects.

Commemorative Tree Program (Tree Succession)

• Working with the Director of LMO, identify planting sites while incorporating historic design, ecological, and horticultural standards.
• Research, order, tag, and arrange delivery of B&B and container trees for spring and fall planting in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Work with the Development department, LMO, and seasonal tree crew staff to coordinate, deliver, and plant between 20 and 50 donors per year, including replacing dead donor trees.
• During tree planting season, hire and serve as supervisor of tree planter.
• Maintain young trees in the landscape by monitoring, watering, pruning, fencing, and removing trees if necessary.
• Maintain and update a database of planted trees with locations and donor information, and respond to inquiries from the public or from colleagues.

Operation and Maintenance of Vehicles, Equipment, Tools & Shared Work Areas.

• Operate vehicles (e.g., truck, utility vehicle, tractor, skid steer), power equipment (e.g., chainsaw, string trimmer, mower, water pump, wood chipper, and hedge trimmer), and various hand tools in a safe manner.
• Keep an inventory of tools and equipment, and communicate with the supervisor about additional tool and equipment needs
• Maintain vehicles, tools, equipment, and shared workspaces as per standards set out by supervisor; communicate issues with vehicle, tool, and equipment safety to supervisor as they arise
• Travel to various parts of the Park as needed to carry out duties.
• Volunteer Management and Public Engagement
• Promote understanding and awareness about park trees to the public, to park employees, and to other entities by creating educational materials and through public speaking.
• Coordinate, track, lead, and document work completed by volunteers and interns in Prospect Park.
• Interact with the public to help resolve issues, provide information, and answer general park questions.

Performs other job-related duties and functions as assigned


Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other relevant discipline with one (1) year or three (3) years' experience respectively in landscape or forestry management in a public park setting; or five years' experience in lieu of a degree
• A valid NYS Driver's License
• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification preferred or obtained within the first year
• 1-2 years of climbing experience.
• A valid NYS CDL Driver's License preferred

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Passion for the Alliance Mission & Core Values : A passion for public parks and environmental conservation combined with a commitment to treating others with respect, appreciating individual differences and embracing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ethics & Integrity : Earns the trust and respect of others through a consistent commitment to integrity, honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
• Urban Arboriculture : Advanced knowledge on proper tree planting, pruning, fertilizing, water and other maintenance issues, with a focus on overall individual tree health. Knowledge of urban forestry, arboriculture; to include landscape level management, urban forest inventory, valuation, planning, policy and practice. Recognizes the importance of trees and woodland as part of both urban and rural landscapes and/or places, including their ecological, economic, socio-economic, socio-cultural and aesthetic roles. Considers the principles of silviculture, including species selection according to site conditions, artificial and natural regeneration of woodlands and interventions.
• Landscape Management Knowledge : Proficient in plant identification for northeast US region, use of landscape tools, experience with ecological restoration and/or sustainable ecological horticulture. Proper planting and pruning techniques.
• Environmental & Technical Expertise : Intimate knowledge of and keeps abreast of the latest trend of R&D in forestry and bio-diversity management to enhance sustainable forest management and bio-diversity conservation. Creates awareness to ensure conservation and safeguarding of forest resources, bio-diversity and the environment.
• Machinery Operation : Competence in mechanized equipment and safe vehicle operation is essential. The ability to safely operate and maintain various groundskeeping vehicles and equipment including but not limited to infield groomers, utility vehicles, chainsaws, weed whackers and riding and push lawn mowers is required. Ability to successfully procure, store and plant B&B-sized trees.
• Health and Safety Comply : With relevant health and safety legislation and regulation and organizational policies. Manages risk including the identification of hazards, assessment of risks and implementation of control measures. Manages own safety and that of others.
• Collaboration & Teamwork : Committed to working in collaboration with others, promoting cooperation and commitment to others and being a positive team contributor.
• Communication Skills : Superior written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to convey concepts and make presentations in a clear, culturally competent and understandable manner. Demonstrates effective listening skills and openness to other people's ideas and suggestions.
• Customer Service : Exhibits a strong commitment to delivering excellent and responsive service to park visitors and patrons.
• Decision Making : Demonstrate broad knowledge of information sources that can be used to assess problems and make decisions. Effectively leverages hard data as inputs to making decisions. Thoroughly analyzes the impact of possible solutions and decisions and shares probable impacts based on experience. Able to garner insight from abstract data and make appropriate decisions. Begins to think several steps ahead in deciding the best course of action, anticipating likely outcomes or implications.
• Project Management : Contributes to setting work priorities and direction. Recommends additional resources that would improve effectiveness and help others access required resources.
• Technology : Proficient with automated technologies that support area of responsibility including G-Suite and Microsoft Office Suite

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is normally performed in the field which subjects the employee to various external elements including potentially adverse weather conditions, involves some exposure to moderate risk of accident/injury and requires following basic safety precautions. Involves frequent exposure to challenging elements such as extreme dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, chemicals, etc., and involves exposure to potentially hazardous substances, or other significant job environmental risks.
• Job requires operating a motor vehicle; operating equipment where carelessness could result in injury; standing for extended periods of time; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, pulling and/or crawling; use of manual dexterity and fine motor skills; use of a desktop, laptop or video display terminal and identifying and distinguishing colors and shades of color.
• Work requires significant physical exertion - consistent need to lift, push, pull, carry, etc. over 50 lbs.
• Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence, instructions and/or technical documents; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms.

TOTAL REWARDS (Compensation + Benefits)

• Job Grade: 4 (Front-Line Managerial and Technical)
• Annual Salary: $75,000 - 80,000 (annual gross earnings)
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• 20 Vacation Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Comprehensive Health Benefits offered, including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Supplemental: Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits, AFLAC & Pet Insurance
• 403b Contributions + 2% Employer Contribution

Diversity Makes Us Stronger Together : Prospect Park Alliance serves park users of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and strives to reflect this diversity throughout our operations and in our leadership, staff, stakeholders and supporters. We know that by creating an equitable and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and the appreciation of difference, our employees will feel safe to express themselves, voice their opinions and work together to find common ground and solutions. Integral to this vision is our longstanding commitment to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.