Tree Planting Outreach Coordinator

Description

Under general supervision, develops, oversees, and evaluates the tree planting and care practices associated with the City’s forestry programs and initiatives. Works closely with various partners to educate and promote urban forestry efforts. Assists in operations associated with the propagation, care, and planting of trees.

Assists in the development of urban and community forestry outreach and stewardship programs. Plans and coordinates activities that support the City’s Urban Tree Canopy programs, including, but not limited to, identifying planting locations and care needed for new and young trees; tree sourcing and propagation; overseeing general watering operations, including during drought periods; stump identification; and tree removal. Assists with the oversight of on-call contractors to ensure the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Tree Care standards are maintained. Provides creative solutions to urban tree planting challenges, such as de-paving, site preparation, soil conditions, water management, and urban heat mitigation; and resolves program-wide issues, such as sourcing trees, prioritizing planting locations, and coordinating planting efforts with other City programs. Develops and evaluates key metrics related to the City’s tree programs and initiatives, and develops and maintains relevant databases and applications.

As part of a team, works to grow and care for the City’s urban forest. May diagnose diseases and disorders in trees and make recommendations for remedial action. Designs and conducts training related to tree planting and maintenance best practices. Supports outreach initiatives by developing technical urban forestry educational materials for multiple audiences, including, but not limited to, residents, landowners, renters, and organizations. Attends community meetings and events to share upcoming projects and opportunities and provide information on urban forestry topics, as required. Responds to community inquiries, tree declines, and complaints. Develops and maintain relationships with public and private stakeholders, including tree planting contractors, neighborhood groups, the Tree Advisory Commission, Keney Park Sustainability Project, Riverfront Recapture, City Departments, and other urban forestry groups and coalitions. Performs relevant data entry and analysis, and prepares reports as may be required. May support the City Forester as needed.

The above essential duties and responsibilities are not intended as a comprehensive list; they are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional duties.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Fundamental principles, practices, and methods of tree planting, propagation, cultivation, health and maintenance, basic irrigation, and insect and disease risk assessment and management;
• Applicable work safety rules, procedures, and best practices for the safe and efficient operation of mechanical hand tools and various types of equipment used in forestry work;
• Federal, state and local forestry laws and regulations;
• Environmental stewardship, land management, forestry and landscaping methods and techniques.

Skilled in:

• Proper use and maintenance of the hand tools used in forestry work;
• Semi-skilled tasks involving pruning, planting, and fertilizing;
• Public Presentation and speaking skills.

Ability to:

• Work at minimal heights and perform strenuous work outdoors Supervise and direct work of crew members, contractors and volunteer groups;
• Listen, understand and respect values, attitudes, and beliefs of a diverse community and to respond appropriately to these differences in planning, implementing, and evaluating department programs and initiatives;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, other City staff, residents and members of the community, contractors, and representatives of other forestry groups, commissions, and organizations;
• Convey complex topics into digestible concepts, prepare educational materials, and educate various audiences on urban forestry and the City’s tree programs and initiatives;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Maintain records and prepare reports;
• Work with a variety of software applications including Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, Photoshop, Canva, or equivalents.

Qualifications

Open to all applicants who meet the following qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, natural resources or related field AND at least three (3) years of increasingly responsible technical work experience in the care and maintenance of trees.

One (1) year of full-time technical experience in the care and maintenance of trees may be substituted for one (1) year of college education.

Licenses; Certifications; Special Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid US Driver’s License.
• Must obtain one of the following within six (6) months of appointment and maintain thereafter: A Connecticut 3D Arborist license, An ISA certified arborist certificate, OR An equivalent license/certification.
• May be required to obtain additional certification as a result of legislative or state requirements.

An employee who fails to obtain the specified state certifications within the period allowed shall either return to his/her former position, if available, or be separated.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Work in this class may be performed in an office, field, or construction site environment with travel from site to site. Incumbents may be required to: work outdoors in all weather conditions; wear protective gear; work around and with heavy construction and forestry equipment including pesticides; work on slippery and uneven surfaces, work around traffic, and be exposed to noise, dust heat, fumes, and inclement weather conditions.

Incumbents must have sufficient physical strength, coordination, agility and endurance to perform moderate and heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds). Performs physical activities that require considerable use of the arms and legs and moving of the whole body, such as lifting, balancing, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crawling, walking and standing for prolonged periods of time.

Incumbents may be required to work extended hours, evenings, holidays and weekends and be called back to work in accordance with the current contract. Incumbent must be able to work under stress of stringent and critical time deadlines without sacrificing the quality of work, performance and efficiency otherwise required by the department

A COPY OF YOUR DEGREE OR TRANSCRIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION. A DEGREE OR TRANCRIPT SUBMITTED WILL BE VERIFIED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT .

HARTFORD RESIDENCY PREFERRED. Preferably be a bona-fide resident of the City of Hartford at the time of application. A completed CITY OF HARTFORD RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT including proof of residency as indicated on the RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT may be submitted.

APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCLUDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION SHALL RESULT IN YOUR DISQUALIFICATION.

APPLICATIONS VIA FACSIMILE OR EMAIL ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Other Information

If selected for the position, you will be required to pass a physical examination administered by a City physician, a drug and alcohol screening examination, and a background check. If appointed, you will be required to serve 3-12 months of probation. This examination and employment process is subject to all federal, state, and municipal laws, rules and regulations.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE APPLICATION AND TESTING PROCESS WILL OCCUR THROUGH EMAIL.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR INBOX, PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR JUNK AND SPAM EMAIL FOR ALL RECRUITMENT COMMUNICATION.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:
Preferential Points may be given to Eligible Veterans. Must submit a Veteran's Preference Form along with a DD214 and Disability letter (if applicable) from the Office of Veteran's Affairs.

The Human Resources Department provides reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation in the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Hartford is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.



Closing Date/Time: 3/21/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

• 

• City of Hartford

• 860-757-9800

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