Urban Forester

Salary : $73,805.26 - $103,851.49 Annually Location : Public Works Facility, 160 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, CA Job Type: Full-Time Regular Job Number: 26-33 Department: Public Works Opening Date: 06/18/2026 Closing Date: Continuous The Position The City of Encinitas is excited to announce a newly created opportunity for an experienced and dedicated Urban Forester to lead the City's Urban forestry Program. This position plays a central role in the City's commitment to optimize the health, safety, sustainability, and aesthetic value of the City's public trees and urban forest. As the City's technical expert in arboriculture, the Urban Forester will manage the daily operations of the urban forestry program, including conducting tree inspections based on internal and external requests, overseeing quality control of the City's tree-trimming contractor, managing tree-related assets and work orders, reviewing development plans for potential tree conflicts, and performing minor tree trimming when needed. The role also includes regular communication with residents, contractors, and internal departments to provide clear, responsive customer service. This is an exciting chance to shape a growing program and make a lasting, visible impact on Encinitas' tree canopy and community character. This position is approved for a start date after July 1, 2026. Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to) Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the work of personnel and contractors engaged in the planting, pruning, maintenance, preservation, and removal of City trees in parks, and public rights-of-way including but not limited to: parkways, medians, streetscapes, open spaces, and other City-administered landscaped areas. Develops, implements, and periodically updates the City's Urban Forest Management Program Administrative Manual of Procedures; establishes goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and performance measures for the urban forestry program and recommends program improvements. Prepares specifications, scopes of work, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for urban forestry services; administers and monitors tree maintenance, planting, and related contracts; inspects contractor work for compliance with contractual terms, City standards, ANSI A300 standards, and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices. Conducts inspections and tree risk assessments; diagnoses tree health issues, including pests, diseases, and structural defects; prescribes pruning, treatment, mitigation, or removal as appropriate; identifies hazardous trees and coordinates timely corrective action. Establishes and maintains the City's tree inventory and GIS-based mapping of the urban forest; tracks tree species, condition, maintenance history, pest and disease conditions, planting locations, and canopy data; produces reports on inventory and program performance. Reviews development plans, construction documents, encroachment permits, and tree removal and planting permits for compliance with the City's tree preservation guidelines, municipal code, and Urban Forest Management Administrative Manual of Procedures; submits review comments within established plan-check timelines and coordinates with other City departments and applicants. Monitors active construction projects affecting public trees; performs site inspections to evaluate construction impacts on existing trees; enforces tree protection requirements; performs final inspections; calculates tree valuations and recommends restitution or replacement plantings. Drafts, updates, and enforces tree-related ordinances, guidelines, and regulations; pursues enforcement of penalties for illegal tree removal, damage, or noncompliance and coordinates with legal staff as needed. Participates in the development and administration of the assigned operating, capital, and contract services budgets; forecasts materials, equipment, and contracted service needs; monitors expenditures, prepares budget reports, and recommends adjustments. Researches and pursues grants and outside funding opportunities to support urban forestry initiatives, including planting, canopy expansion, and community programs. Serves as the City's technical resource and liaison on urban forestry matters, including to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC); responds to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information from residents, business owners, contractors, other City departments, external agencies, and the public; provides public education and outreach on tree care, urban forestry benefits, and City policies. Coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies on green infrastructure, urban heat island mitigation, stormwater management, sustainability initiatives, and emergency storm response and recovery affecting City trees. Coordinates volunteer programs, community tree planting events, and partnerships with environmental groups, schools, and community organizations to promote tree stewardship. Establishes, maintains, and enforces safety programs for assigned operations consistent with Cal/OSHA and other federal, state, and local safety regulations; investigates work-related injuries and incidents and implements corrective action plans. Prepares and presents clear and concise staff reports, correspondence, and presentations for management, City Council, commissions, boards, and the public on urban forestry programs, projects, and policy matters. Maintains current professional knowledge of arboriculture, urban forestry research, regulatory requirements, and best management practices through continuing education and professional involvement. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. Knowledge of: Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of arboriculture and urban forestry, including tree species selection, planting, pruning, soil science, tree biology, plant pathology, and tree risk assessment; ANSI A300 standards and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices for tree care operations; Principles and practices of urban forest management, including the development and implementation of the Urban Forest Management Program Administrative Manual of Procedures, canopy assessment, and species diversification; Methods, equipment, tools, and safety practices used in tree planting, maintenance, and removal; Identification, diagnosis, and treatment of tree pests, diseases, and structural defects, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles; Tree inventory systems and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications for urban forest data management; Landscape and irrigation maintenance principles and practices as they relate to tree health; Principles and practices of contract development, administration, and inspection, including preparation and evaluation of specifications and Requests for Proposals (RFPs); Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation, monitoring, and administration; Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations relating to tree protection, environmental conservation, urban development, labor, Cal/OSHA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Construction-related plans, drawings, calculations, and reports as they affect public trees and the urban forest; Research, report writing, and recordkeeping techniques; Principles and techniques of public relations, customer service, and community outreach; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices applicable to urban forestry operations; Office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and GIS or tree inventory applications. Skill in: Identifying tree species, hazards, deficiencies, pests, and diseases, and prescribing appropriate corrective action; Performing tree risk assessments and tree health care inspections; Reading and interpreting construction plans, landscape plans, and specifications; Developing, administering, and inspecting contracts and contracted services; Preparing and administering program budgets and cost estimates; Composing clear and concise written reports, correspondence, and technical documents; Using a computer, tablet, smartphone, and related software applications, including GIS and tree inventory systems; Leading, coordinating, and supervising the work of contractors; Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, contractors, other agencies, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. Ability to: Organize, implement, and direct a comprehensive urban forestry program; Provide scientific and technical advice and assistance on problems relating to tree care, preservation, protection, and urban forest management; Detect insect infestations and plant diseases and prescribe corrective action; Collect, update, maintain, and utilize tree inventory and GIS data to make sound management decisions; Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines, including plan-check review timelines; Develop and enforce contract specifications and provisions related to urban forest management; Establish short-range and long-range priorities for tree and urban forest maintenance, considering public safety, City liability, budget limitations, and the expectations of City management, City Council, commissions, and the public; Interpret and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures, as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, contractors, and outside agencies, including on sensitive issues; Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including the preparation and delivery of presentations to City Council, commissions, and the public; Lead or participate in emergency response efforts to manage tree damage from storms or other extreme weather events; Work cooperatively with other City departments, outside agencies, and community organizations to advance urban forestry, sustainability, and green infrastructure goals. Minimum Qualifications Training and Experience (position requirements at entry) : Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in forestry, urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a closely related field, plus four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, or tree care operations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Municipal or other public agency experience is desirable. Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry): Valid California Drivers License Certified Arborist designation issued by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) - Must obtain with 1 year of employment. Desirable: Qualified Applicator's Certificate and/or Qualified Applicator's License issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Application Process and Deadline A completed City application with an attached resume is required. *** Incomplete application packets are not accepted *** This job posting is open until the position is filled. First review of applications will be on the week of July 6, 2026, and qualified applicants will be invited for interviews. Don't delay, apply today! The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical and drug and alcohol screening. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. City of Encinitas & San Dieguito Water District 2026 Benefits Summary Service Employees International Union, Local 221 (SEIU) Cafeteria Health Plan The employer's "Flexible Benefit Plan" contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution Retirement The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS): Retirement Tier - Local Miscellaneous Retirement Formula Tier 2 - Classic2.0% @ 60 Tier 3 - New Member2.0% @ 62 Retirement Tier - Other Safety (Lifeguards) Retirement Formula Tier 2 - Classic3.0% @ 55 Tier 3 - New Member2.7% @ 57 457 Deferred Compensation The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded. Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D). Group Term Life Insurance is equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance. Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD) STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week. Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium. Sick Leave Employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year. Vacation Leave Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service: Years of Service Annual Accrual Hire - 5 Years 104 hours 6 - 10 Years 128 hours 11 - 15 Years 152 hours 16+ Years 184 hours Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked. Paid Leave for Family Member Illness Each new full-time employee is granted a beginning balance of fourteen (14) hours of paid time off to attend to family member(s) in need of the employee's assistance in times of illness or parental leave to bond with a new child; 1.3846 hours of additional paid leave is accrued each pay period. The maximum accrual is about eighty three (83) hours. Parental Leave (Baby Bonding) Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status. General Election Leave Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee's polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election. Holiday Closure Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. Holidays Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year. Computer Purchase Program The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000. Tuition Assistance Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration. Social Security and Medicare The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance. This document is intended to provide a general summary of benefits available to employees of the City of Encinitas and San Dieguito Water District. Exact benefits an employee is entitled to receive are determined by the City Council through collective bargaining agreements between the City and the union representing the employee's classification, as well as through various Resolutions and Ordinances. If there is a conflict between the information in this summary and the official plans/contracts, the official documents will prevail.