Tree Planting Coordinator

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Become part of Arlington County's effort to improve sustainability and beautify our neighborhoods and parks, by becoming our Tree Planting Coordinator. The Parks and Recreations Department is hiring a Tree Planting Coordinator to manage the tree planting programs, create forested and treed spaces within County-owned parks, streetscapes, gardens, facility grounds, and other public areas. The Coordinator will work collaboratively with contractors, other departments, landscaping operations crews, and the other urban foresters. 

The Tree Planting Coordinator will become part of a team which improves outdoor spaces for environmental sustainability and people's enjoyment throughout the community by planting approximately 900 trees per year around the County.

Specific duties include:

• Providing horticultural information and advice to staff, contractors, and the public on best practices, design and sustainable forests;

• Researching planting spaces and tree options, including tracking planting lists and ensuring availability of trees and plants planned for planting;

• Designing planting plans for diverse landscapes, from streetscapes to parks and other public spaces;

• Conducting field inspections of trees to ensure compliance with ANSI and County standards and evaluating tree and shrub conditions; 

• Mapping, scheduling, and assigning watering work for landscape crews and contractors; 

• Collaborating with the community, providing outreach, and ensuring buy-in regarding certain community landscaping related issues; 

• Coordinating with partners on tree distribution programs to plant trees on private property; 

• Planning and executing occasional volunteer tree planting projects; and 

• Performing other duties as assigned, including duties in maintenance and plan review.

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Landscape Architecture or a related field; and
• Considerable experience in urban tree planning, tree management or directly related field.

Substitution: Additional experience may be substituted for experience. Additional experience may be substituted for education.
Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• Urban landscape design, tree maintenance, urban forestry, horticulture, or arboricultural;

• Working with contractors and landscaping or tree planting crews; 

• Using Microsoft Office and work order systems to track cost expenditures, manage inventory lists and work pipelines, scheduling, and drafting correspondence; and 

• Possess International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certifications: Certified Arborist, Urban Forest Professional, Certified Nursery Professional, Landscape Architect, or other relevant certification.
   

Special Requirements:

Resume Requirement: A complete application will include an attached resume which highlights how your background and experience align with the qualifications for this position.

Licensure: Applicant must possess or obtain certification as an Arborist or Urban Forest Professional by the International Society of Arboriculture within 1 year of employment date. 

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted.  It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Work is performed throughout County and includes working outdoors in all weather conditions (snow, rain, hail, wind and humidity) and may be subject to cold below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees for periods of more than one-hour. 

Additional Information:

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, in a flexible schedule between 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Some weekend and evening hours will be required, and employee must be available for callback in emergency situations or scheduled tree planting events.

Work is performed throughout County and includes working outdoors in all weather conditions.

The official job title is Urban Forester.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirem