Arborist
Salary: $44,825.00 - $71,719.00 Annually
Pay Grade: P37
Current Pasco County Employees: Please refer to the Personnel Policy & Procedure Manual for starting salary information.
Department: Building Construction Services
Location: New Port Richey
General Description: This position works under the general direction of the Building Construction Services Deputy Building Official, or designee. Performs responsible work in the planning, developing, implementing and supervising of the County urban forestry program in accordance with applicable County Land Development codes, Code of Ordinances, Florida Statues, and Departmental policies.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Essential Job Functions:
- Reviews landscape and tree protection plans and specifications to ensure compliance with County codes and standards as well as planning principles.
- Assists County staff with planning and implementing tree and landscape requirements for residential, commercial and industrial development projects countywide.
- Receives, investigates and issues potential violations to County code and statutes as they pertain to trees in tree protection areas, within protected buffers and the right of way.
- Monitors and inspects contractors for planting, pruning, removal and any other tree related projects on the right of way, within tree conservation areas and protected buffers to ensure compliance with County code and standards.
- Identifies planting sites in the field through surveys and inventories.
- Select or assist in the selection of trees for street tree planting; coordinates tree procurement, delivery, and planting.
- Provides oversight of planting as needed; assists with oversight of contract planting.
- Responsible for providing support in administering a future land conservation program.
- Ability to work independently.
- May lead, plan, and coordinate the work of a project team.
- Advises management of actions and potential risks.
- Monitors the success of tree planting by gathering photos and statistics to generate reports.
- Receives, responds and interacts to inquiries, complaints, concerns, and requests for assistance from County employees, outside agencies, vendors and the public.
- Attends meetings, prepares and presents oral presentations and staff reports to Board of County Commissioners, Planning & Zoning Board and other related committees.
- Performs a variety of moderately to complex administrative duties in support of Department activities, which include but are not limited to answering phones, providing information as requested and/or forwarding calls to appropriate staff person, taking messages, scheduling appointments, maintaining calendars, compiling data for reports and/or meetings, establishing and maintaining files, maintaining databases, etc.
- Work is reviewed through reports, observations, and obtained results.
- Responsible for the review and monitoring of construction and development projects for compliance with applicable landscape codes and policies, as well as safeguarding the County’s tree assets from disease, potential construction impacts and unpermitted removal of trees.
- Work involves review of potential development projects and issue resolution associated with the County's overall planning policies and community development direction.
- Work involves considerable public contact, often of a sensitive nature and requires the exercise of patience, sound judgment, tact and diplomacy.
- This position requires availability (occasionally outside of normal operating hours) to respond to tree emergencies and assist in emergency storm events.
- Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of county and state laws, ordinances, standards and regulations and the ability to to interpret and apply them to landscaping
- Knowledge of native and exotic plants.
- Knowledge of contract administration.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal rules and regulations pertaining to government contracts.
- Ability to manage and organize projects and programs.
- Ability to analyze difficult problems and make appropriate recommendations clearly and concisely.
- Ability to apply computer applications and software.
- Ability to complete duties without direct supervision.
- Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities and use independent judgment in performing routine and non-routine tasks.
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with personnel within the department and in other departments.
Minimum Requirements:PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods of time, including during prolonged heat. Ability to sit for extended periods of time. This position works inside in an office environment as well as outdoors performing site visits and tree inspections.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Botany or a related subject area required and two (2) years of experience in urban forestry or horticulture.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid driver's license. Certification as an Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture is required.
ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE:Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.