Tampa Skyline
Tampa Skyline
Tampa Skyline

Forester Examiner

Recruitment #181018-001023-001

Introduction

Full-time Benefits: Health, vision, dental, and life insurance; annual and sick leave; paid holidays; pension and tax-deferred compensation (457) plans; and more.

Nature Of Work

An employee in this class is responsible for acting in a lead capacity and participating in technical inspections to enforce municipal tree, landscape and site clearing regulations and ordinances. Work is of more than average difficulty and involves the inspection of trees for which removal permits have been sought, the examination of landscaping and site clearing plans, and the inspection of landscaping and site clearing work to ensure conformance with approved plans and/or municipal ordinances. Tasks include some fieldwork, extensive public contact and training of technical inspections personnel. Under general supervision, employee is required to exercise reasonable initiative and independent judgment in making tree removal decisions, approving/disapproving plans, maintaining good public relations, and supervising assigned personnel. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

Examples of Duties

Acts in a lead capacity and participates in the inspection of trees for which removal permits have been sought as well as inspections to diagnose fungal, bacterial, viral, insectile and other pathological conditions, and inspections of wind, lightning, fire, and other forms of physical damage to trees; issues or denies tree removal permits based on inspections and/or diagnoses made; explains decision-making rationale and interprets ordinance requirements to the public and other concerned parties; confers with legal staff to secure opinions for use in legal proceedings; reviews architectural drawings to identify conflicts with actual field conditions; contacts project developer to obtain required documentation.

Inspects submitted landscaping, tree removal, and site clearing plans to assure conformance with municipal codes and ordinances; coordinates with lower level inspectors regarding site inspections to ascertain correctness of information contained in submitted plans; reviews factors and grants or denies applications; notifies applicants in writing of reasons in event of denial; assigns and participates in inspections of site clearing activities to assure work is performed in accordance with approved plans; reads and interprets blueprints, technical drawings, diagrams, plans and specifications, etc. to facilitate proper construction.

Assigns and participates in inspections of tree and landscaping installation required by municipal ordinance; ensures that quality, quantity and type of plant materials used are acceptable; ensures that proper procedures for protection of existing and installation of new plants are followed; ensures that provisions for maintenance and care of plant materials are provided.

Coordinates with utility engineers and representatives in order to locate lines; operates a light motor vehicle.

Instructs inspectional personnel in care, elementary disease diagnosis and maintenance of trees and other plant materials; participates in developing procedures, policies, and ordinance amendment proposals related to tree removal, landscaping, and site clearing; attends meetings and provides requested information to members of City Council, Variance Review Board and other variance approving boards; prepares and presents reports as required; keeps informed of ordinances, laws, statutes, etc. that affect the operation.

Consults with other site plan review staff (stormwater, zoning, transportation) to ensure the code requirements for other disciplines can be met without conflicts to the tree and landscape code.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: the principles and practices of ornamental horticulture; fungal, bacterial, viral, insectile, and other pathological conditions affecting trees; field and laboratory procedures employed in diagnosing diseased and physically damaged trees.

Working knowledge of: landscaping procedures and practices; the effects that site clearing and tree removal have on drainage, topography, and natural resources.

Some knowledge of: training techniques.

Ability to: conduct inspections and make diagnoses of pathological plant conditions; ascertain reparability of diseased and physically damaged trees; review landscaping plans and draw sound conclusions regarding their acceptance or rejection; enforce codes, ordinances and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially; perform work out-of-doors requiring a degree of physical endurance; train personnel in tree and landscaping inspections; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and the general public; operate a light motor vehicle.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, or a related field and six (6) months experience in landscaping, forestry, nursery operations or related work as well as six (6) months experience in tree and landscape inspections; or Graduation from an accredited college or university with a associate’s degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, or a related field and two (2) years & six (6) months experience in landscaping, forestry, nursery operations or related work as well as six (6) months experience in tree and landscape inspections.

 

Preferred Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, or a related field and two (2) years of work experience in landscaping, forestry, nursery operations.

Licenses or Certifications

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license; and certification as an Arborist.

Examination

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

 

Conclusion

HELPFUL HINTS FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION: Please register before you begin the application process. This will enable you to view and re-use information from previously submitted applications to complete and submit any future applications. Please make certain your application is complete and the information you provide clearly demonstrates that you possess the minimum job qualifications as stated in the job announcement. Resumes can be submitted in support of an application, but not in lieu of an application. Resumes and copies of certifications or other required documents may be attached to your online application.