URBAN FORESTRY TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER

Introduction

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforcethat is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents.

Ifyou have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants,please consider the following opportunity.

Purpose

• The Urban Forestry Technical Services Manager oversees theTechnical Services of the Forestry Section by developing and implementingin-service training programs;
• coordinating independent and cooperative researchprojects related to plant health care, urban forest management techniques, andoperations;

and supervising up to 25 Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices, threefull-time Tree Protection Technicians, six Urban Forestry Interns, and threeYouth Arborist Apprentices annually.

The Urban Forestry Technical ServicesManager participates in snow and ice control operations.

This position is funded by a grant from the USDA-ForestService for three years as part of the City’s Growing Milwaukee’s Tree Canopyand Community Resilience Program.

This is intended to be a regularly-budgetedposition within the Forestry Section after the three-year grant period.

Essential Functions

Technical and Educational Services

• Provide technical and administrative support to the Urban Forestry Services Manager, Department of Public Works (DPW) Operations Director, Operations Policy Analyst, and all districts in the Forestry Section, including contract administration.
• Coordinate the field and classroom training for all new Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive in-service training program for forestry personnel, including both in house and outside instructional resources.
• Train divisional personnel as instructors for in service programs.
• Develop, acquire, and maintain current written and visual instructional materials.

Oversight of the Plant Health Care Management Program

• Direct and consult regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pest problems, including insects, diseases, abiotic disorders, and weeds.
• Monitor pest and disease incidence and population levels.
• Coordinate, consult, and make recommendations on pesticide application programs, including proper materials, equipment, calibration, methods, timing, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Coordinate, manage, and supervise certain pesticide application programs, including the treatment of 8,300 ash street trees annually to manage the public risk accompanying Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
• Monitor pesticide use; maintain pesticide application records, the current pesticide label handbook, and the pesticide manual.
• Coordinate cooperative state and federal quarantine and control programs for exotic and invasive landscape pests, such as Gypsy Moth, EAB, and Oak Wilt.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the Forestry Section's action plans for invasive and exotic pests.

Management and Administrative Support

• Manage district snow and ice control operations and field crew responses to weather related emergency conditions, such as windstorms, ice storms, and construction damage to trees (subject to emergency call-out 24 hours a day).
• Perform contract administration duties; develop supporting specifications and requisitions for professional services, equipment, and supplies.
• Appear at aldermanic committee, town hall, and neighborhood meetings to represent the Section.
• Recruit, interview, and hire Urban Forestry Interns; coordinate Interns’ activities related to research, landscape management, and other special projects.
• Recruit, interview, hire, mentor, and train Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices and Youth Arborist Apprentices.
• Prepare various technical and administrative reports and documents.

Research and Development

• Design, develop, and / or evaluate new methods, materials, and strategies for pest management, plant health care, and urban forest management for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Serve as liaison and coordinator of cooperative research with universities, governmental agencies, and private companies.
• Research, evaluate, and administer various technical projects, such as computerized street tree inventories and urban forestry management software applications.
• Remain informed relative to current published research; maintain a technical file covering all aspects of divisional operations.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal pesticide and hazardous materials regulations.
• Requisition, deliver, and manage the inventory of pesticides and chemicals.
• Maintain a current file of material safety data sheets on all potentially hazardous substances in use.

Construction Activities

• Supervise three Urban Forestry Technicians who perform functions related to tree protection.
• Coordinate and regulate contractor activities impacting City of Milwaukee landscaping and trees.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who areinterested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during thehiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

The Urban Forestry Technical Services Manager must bewilling and able to do the following :

• Work extended work shifts during emergency operations.
• Work for prolonged periods outdoors in variable weather and environmental conditions, and tolerate noise, vibration, and exposure to airborne contaminants.
• Perform work requiring physical exertion and agility, including walking distances; climbing stairs and ladders; bending and crawling;

reaching, pushing, and pulling; and doing repetitive movements.

• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and / or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
• Maintain awareness of surroundings.
• Adhere to departmental standards for PPE.
• Respond to emergency call-outs and report within 60 minutes or fewer at any time during the day or night, any day of the week, for storm response, snow and ice control operations, and other emergencies.

Pre-placement exams for this position include the following :

• Physical Exam w / lift test
• Vision Exam
• Audio-Gram
• Drug Screen

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, ornamental horticulture, forest entomology, plant pathology, biology, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in technical instruction and / or field training in forestry, horticulture, or a closely related field.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
• Wisconsin Pesticide Applicators license in category 3.0 (Turf & Landscape) and ISA Certified Arborist certification within six months of appointment and throughout employment.
• Teaching Methods & Technology for Apprentice and Preparing to Teach Transition to Trainer certifications provided by Wisconsin Technical College System within six months of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may alsobe considered.

NOTICE : Please do not attach your academic transcripts toyour employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’education as part of the background screening process prior to extending anyjob offers.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in forestry, ornamental horticulture, forest entomology, plant pathology, biology, or a related field.
• Experience in technology transfer and / or ornamental plant research.
• Experience in database management and / or specialized urban forestry software applications.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience developing technical training materials.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Municipal Specialist and / or ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

• Knowledge of plant health care management principles.
• Knowledge of research design and natural resources population sampling techniques.
• Knowledge of governmental regulations regarding pesticides and hazardous material management.
• Knowledge of arboriculture practices and techniques.
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive technical reports.
• Ability to accurately interpret research data and other technical information to provide skilled workforce training and prepare related articles for the general public.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and effectively use Microsoft Access and Publisher applications.
• Ability to use spreadsheet, database, project management, and word processing software to develop reports, write business correspondence, and summarize data.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Written communications skills to create reports and business correspondence.
• Verbal communication and presentation skills to impart program information effectively.
• Ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences and exhibit cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to work independently as a member of highly supportive team.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with a multicultural, multidisciplinary, multilevel staff, the public, City officials, and other outside agencies.

Judgment and Professionalism

• Analytical skills and the ability to use sound judgment to solve complex problems and make decisions.
• Honesty, integrity, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to be diplomatic and to operate with tact and professionalism.
• Ability to plan, organize, and accomplish work, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to mentor others and manage multiple tasks with competing priorities.
• Commitment to staying apprised of developments in plant health care, urban forest management techniques, and urban forestry operations.

Current Salary

The current salary range (Pay Range 1GX) is $79,399-$98,703 annually,and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $81,781-$101,664 annually.

Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level ofexperience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

Employees in this position who are regularly involved insnow and ice control operations that result in an excessive amount of overtimework will receive 4.

8% additional biweekly salary as compensation for theovertime work.

BENEFITS The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensivebenefit program that includes the following :

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass
21 days ago