Forester/Landscaping Inspector

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in forestry, arboriculture, or plant sciences such as botany or horticulture or a related field, and two years' experience in tree protection and management, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. Must possess International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, or must obtain within one year of hire date.

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.  

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is highly responsible professional and technical work in the implementation and maintenance of the tree protection and landscaping ordinances for Alachua County.

An employee assigned to this classification plans, organizes, manages, and directs the functions associated with the protection of trees and implementation of good forestry and landscaping practices. Responsible for proper implementation of and compliance with the tree protection ordinance and landscaping ordinance of Alachua County.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observations of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. 

Exudes a positive customer service focus.
 Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Ensures proper implementation of the tree protection ordinance for the protection of trees and the landscaping ordinance for implementation of good forestry and landscaping practices through the development plan review process.
Investigates public complaints and advises general public on care and maintenance of trees.
Reviews and comments on development plans for compliance with County policy for adequate tree protection and tree canopy preservation.  In addition, reviews include landscape plan analysis for compliance with County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code. 
 
Conducts field investigations and interviews and provides assistance to the public relating to implementation of the tree protection and landscaping ordinances for land development.
Inspects construction work in progress to ensure compliance with landscape specifications, to approve quality of materials and work, and to advise client and construction personnel on landscape features.
Advises general public, developers, and contractors on requirements of appropriate County ordinances; reviews County development projects and provides recommendations on tree related items; inspects encroachment permits affecting trees.
Develops and implements amendments or changes to the tree protection and landscaping ordinances, as required.

Prepares preliminary and final reports based on research, interviews, and/or field investigations. 
Drives a County vehicle and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
 NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
 Extensive knowledge of current Urban Forestry and landscape design principles and practices.
Thorough knowledge of arboricultural principles and practices, especially as applied to the planting, care, and maintenance of trees.

Knowledge of and ability to apply tree appraisal techniques, including the relationship of planned, natural, and built environments. Knowledge and competence in forest management, silviculture, reforestation, watershed management, botany, plant physiology, entomology, landscape design, pathology, and plant and tree anatomy.

Knowledge of local, state and federal rules, regulations, and ordinances related to environmental protection and vegetation management.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary in arboriculture.
Ability to analyze emergency situations quickly and accurately and respond with an appropriate course of action.
Ability to understand and ensure compliance with laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing all types of Urban Forestry and Landscaping practices.
 Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing; including public speaking and presentations and the preparation of written reports and memoranda.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department heads, employees, supervisors, other government agencies and the general public.
Ability to analyze and evaluate departmental programs, procedures and policies to ensure services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Knowledge of computers and relevant software.
 PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach and be mobile.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$50,398.40 - $55,452.80 Annually