City and County of San Francisco

Under general direction, incumbents in this class direct and supervise natural resource management activities for city-administered lands. The essential duties assigned to this class include: preparing, developing and implementing natural resource management plans; coordinating forestry, arboriculture and/or watershed management projects; advising government officials, boards, commissions, management and the public on forestry, arboriculture and/or watershed issues; maintaining and supervising the preparation of records, databases, reports and contractual agreements; preparing and administering grants; preparing and monitoring programs and program objectives; conducting workshops, informational and educational tours; performing studies and implementing plans; supervising staff, assigning work and inspecting forestry management activities; scheduling plots for tree planting and removals; conducting training for staff; developing, conducting and monitoring work safety programs; and preparing requests for personnel, supplies and equipment.

This classification is distinguished by its professional specialization in forestry practices including responsibility for planning tree removals, site preparation and tree replacements citywide. It differs from classes in the Arborist Technician and Gardener series in that the latter physically perform the tree removals, ground maintenance and planting work in accordance with reforestation program objectives.

Supervise, assign work and inspect forestry management activities.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Direct and supervise natural resource management activities for city-administered lands including tree planting, removal and assessments, pest management, vegetation maintenance and wildlife.

2. Prepare, develop and implement natural resource management plans, including coordinating site preparation, landscape, species selection, planting and removal, road replacement, replacement upgrades and standardized maintenance practices, and planning for surplus wood and material utilization.

3. Schedule plots for tree planting and removals.

4. Provide advice to government officials, boards, commissions, management and the public on forestry, arboriculture practices and/or watershed issues; mediate forestry activities in local neighborhoods.

5. Supervise, assign work and inspect forestry management activities. Patrols watershed and right-of-way for encroachments.

6. Coordinate forestry, arboriculture and/or watershed management projects with City departments and other public and private agencies.

7. Prepare and monitor programs and program objectives including budget estimates; establishes and secures funding sources.

8. Prepare requests for personnel, supplies, and equipment.

9. Conduct in-services forestry/arboriculture training for field staff, including surveying techniques, silvicultural techniques, environmental considerations, and tree/landscape maintenance.

10. Develop, conduct and monitor work safety programs for field staff.

11. Perform studies and implement plans on resource protection and enhancement, including erosion control. Evaluate activities and projects for environmental and ecological compliance.

12. Conduct resource related workshops for in-house labor and volunteers.

13. Conduct informational and educational tours, lectures and meetings on forestry/arboriculture management practices and policies to school groups and the general public.

14. Maintain and supervise the preparation of records, databases, reports and contractual agreements. Ensures procurement of permits issued by regulatory agencies.

15. Prepare and administer grants and provides direction to community groups and agencies in preparation of grants for the enhancement of City-owned lands.

16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: principles of forest management as applied to the reforestation and vegetation management of urban park lands; and the related tools, materials and equipment use to perform such work.

Ability to: plan, supervise and inspect the work of subordinate personnel engaged in tree planting and removal work over a wide area; deal tact-fully and effectively with the public and promote good public relations; maintain operating records and prepare related reports.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Requires possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural resource management, forestry, or agroforestry.

Experience:

Two (2) years of verifiable professional-level experience in natural resource management or forestry/arboriculture. Experience in gardening (ornamental horticulture), turf maintenance, nursery work, landscape architecture, landscape gardening, and landscape contracting will NOT be considered qualifying experience; AND

One (1) year of supervisory-level experience in natural resource management or forestry/arboriculture.

License and Certification:

Possession of a current class C or III driver license to be presented at the time of the appointment.

Substitution:

Additional qualifying experience as described above may substitute the required education on a year-for-year basis but may not substitute the required supervisory experience. Thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.

Established: 1/9/1984

Amended: 12/11/2000; 5/7/2015

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.