URBAN FOREST COORDINATOR (PROGRAM SPECIALIST) - CITY MANAGER

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION
In 2023, the City received a multi-year grant from the US Forest Service to hire an Urban Forest Coordinator who will be responsible for implementing the City of Long Beach Urban Forest Management Plan and to implement the action items identified in the CAAP regarding the expansion and enhancement of the urban forest.

Reporting to the Sustainability Manager, with support from the Climate Manager, and under the general direction of the Deputy City Manager, the Urban Forest Coordinator will provide operational and programmatic supervision and support both in the field and in the office. The Urban Forest Coordinator is an unclassified position and does not accumulate seniority as a classified position. This position is anticipated to have a hybrid schedule (a combination of field supervision work, office work, and telework), consistent with City Hybrid Work Policy.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Supervise and administer the implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan including:
  • Management of a comprehensive inventory and tracking system of trees in Long Beach
  • Coordination of tree plantings that align with City goals of expanding the urban tree canopy, focusing on areas of most need to reduce urban heat island effect, improve air quality, enhance natural wildlife habitat, etc.
  • Work with a consultant to finalize and implement an Urban Forest Master Plan document that updates and centralizes the City’s existing street tree plans and to develop recommendations to expand and enhance the overall urban tree canopy
  • Assess recommendations from a consultant regarding policies, organizational structure, staffing and contract levels, and funding of Urban Forest Management in Long Beach.

Act as the liaison between City staff, contractors, and the public; assist with planning, coordinating, and monitoring the work of contractors and permittees; ensure compliance with City tree maintenance standards and all applicable regulatory requirements.Serve as the City’s representative for community outreach and educating residents about the City’s forestry and community programs. Work with the City arborist, other City staff, and contractors to plant and maintain street trees.Conduct periodic surveys to report and suggest maintenance needs; assist with scheduling and routing of City staff and contractors to perform maintenance and make recommendations to improve routing and tree work efficiency as needed.Maintain records necessary to monitor the tree inventory data and produce reports on status of quarterly and annual tree replacements and removals; assist with department goal of increasing canopy by tracking new trees and tracking watering schedules of young trees.Respond to inquiries regarding tree planting and assist with investigating complaints related to tree maintenance operations of contractors; recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints; keep abreast of current maintenance functions and recommends improvements to the City’s policies and practices.Prepare, develop, and update outreach and awareness materials, notification letters, and other public information materials.Collect, evaluate, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform sustainability related decision-making processes and resource alignments Support leadership in responding effectively to emerging, evolving and time-sensitive issues through research, stakeholder engagement, and policy development Contribute programmatic information to staff reports, webpages, press releases, social media and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary Organize, produce and/or participate in public events, workshops, and other outreach events as needed Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EDUCATION

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry or a related field OR
• Experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

EXPEREIENCE

• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the field of arboriculture or urban forestry management.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Knowledge of contract administration; arboricultural practices and tree maintenance operations; methods of tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, and tree preservation; pests and diseases of trees; safe work practices and hazards associated with the work; records maintenance, report writing, and office equipment, including personal computers; safety standards, work methods, and quality standards in relation to tree work.
• Ability to accurately evaluate tree conditions and recommend corrective maintenance; consult with and offer functional and technical direction to contractors and act as a liaison between the public and contractors; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; analyze, interpret, and explain policies and procedures; write reports and maintain accurate records; read and interpret blueprints, diagrams, and schematics; prepare reports and requisitions; establish, maintain, and foster a positive and harmonious working and customer service relationship with those contacted in the course of work; provide excellent customer service to the public, other agencies, and other City employees.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, work collaboratively and consultatively with employees at all levels of the organization and with outside groups, agencies, and partners.
• Ability to provide responsive customer service and comfortable communicating by phone, email, and in person; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with diverse people and communication styles .
• Experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds; exhibit behavior that allows for a work environment that supports equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Passionate about addressing climate change and advancing environmental justice, public health, and equity; derives joy from community impact and can relate how their work is tied to outcomes that make Long Beach sustainable, equitable and healthy.
• Knowledge of the Long Beach community and its environmental (justice) impacts preferred.
• Fluency in one of the three major City languages (Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog) is desirable.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Thursday, October 24. To be considered, please submit an online application, including a cover letter, resume, and proof of education in PDF format. Applications that fail to include all necessary documents will be considered incomplete and will not be taken into consideration.

Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate may be required to go through a background check and a physical examination prior to appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please call (562) 570-6913.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act

The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Applicant Appeal Process by visiting Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov) .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-6913 .

For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.

Employee Benefits

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

• Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% @55 for "Classic" members and 2%@62 for new members as defined by PEPRA. Subject to employee contribution. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.
• Health and Dental Insurance: The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.
• Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance: City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Management Physical: Annual City-paid physical examination.
• Vacation: Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.
• Executive Leave: Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.
• Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.
• Holidays: Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.
• Transportation Allowance: $450 per month.
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation). City contributes 1% of employee's base pay to the employee's 401(a) plan; effective September 30, 2022, the City will contribute 2% of employee's base pay to the employee's 401(a) account. Employees may opt to contribute up to the IRS annual limits as well.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.
• Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule: Available (subject to City Manager approval).
• Paid Parental Leave: After six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

Management positions -Refer to the Job Posting brochure included in the job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 10/24/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Long Beach

• 5625707057

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