PRIMARY FUNCTION

• Enforces the tree ordinance and provides a level of professional expertise for tree evaluations for nuisance and hazardous trees to protect the urban forest and the health and safety of residents.
• Provides needed expertise for tree protection strategies during construction projects, utility pruning, and transportation projects.
• Provides a necessary clearinghouse of information for tree concerns and coordinates with all stakeholders.
• Supports the planting of trees as storm water best management practice to improve water quality for EPA mandated MS4 permit and the City’s CSO Long Term Control Plan.
• Manages all aspects of tree planting contracts.
• Responsible for conducting health and hazard evaluations for the management of trees in the proper way and coordinates enforcement and planning logistics related to street trees between residents, council members, and several City departments to ensure coordination, enforcement, and alignments of codes to support the tree ordinance.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Updates, implements, and enforces tree ordinance, including tree permits, developing tree protection specifications for contracts, reviewing development plans, performing hazard evaluations, providing technical arboricultural recommendations, and replanting trees.
• Maintains Street Tree Database, processes permits, logs constituent calls, and coordinates all requests.
• Develops and implements a management plan, which includes developing canopy goals, budgeting, and applying for grants.
• Acts as City-community liaison between Trees for Wilmington Coalition, civic associations, and residents to provide assistance with tree issues throughout the city.
• Works with Delmarva Power and other utility companies and contractors to communicate the City’s position on tree protection, including trenching, material storage, and pruning for electrical distribution.
• Assists with Arbor Day, Earth Day, and Tree City USA events.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Handles all other forestry-related projects and issues as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Plant Science, or a related field with two years of experience in urban or municipal forestry, or closely related field. Master’s degree in one of these fields or closely related fields of study may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
• Active membership in the International Society of Arboriculture and ISA arborist certification required.
• Knowledge of arboriculture and forestry as it relates to an urban environment, including all safety issues.
• Proficiency in the use of various computer programs, including Microsoft Office and some experience in GIS required.
• Ability to work with and maintain a high level of professionalism with a diverse group of people throughout the community, including public and elected officials, tree professionals, community leaders, City and Delaware Center for Horticulture employees, garden groups, and local residents.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills required.
• Must also be able to work independently.
• Ability to lift tools and plants weighing up to 50 pounds on and off trucks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The duties of this position are often performed outdoors around plants, trees, grass, tools, and moving vehicles in an urban setting.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is often required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, and operate objects requiring manual dexterity.
• The employee is also required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk, hear, and smell and may occasionally be required to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• The employee will also work near moving mechanical parts and be exposed to wet, humid, cold, hot, conditions, as well as fumes, exhaust, and airborne particles.
• Other duties are performed in an office setting operating various pieces of office equipment and requiring hand/eye coordination as well as accurate vision and hearing.
• Noise level for this position is usually quiet to moderate in the office setting and loud in the field.

Must pass a criminal background investigation, pre-employment physical, and drug test.

City residency is required within one (1) year of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

THE CITY OF WILMINGTON COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The City of Wilmington is committed to providing a robust healthcare portfolio to meet the needs of our employees and their families and is pleased to offer coverage on your first day of employment. Helping you understand the benefits we offer is important to us. Please refer to our Employee Benefits website to view all healthcare plans, vendor information, resources, and benefit rates.

Medical Insurance: Highmark BCBS of Delaware. City of Wilmington offers 2 medical plans, PPO II (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization).

Dental Insurance: MetLife. City of Wilmington offers three dental plans, Dental Plan 1, 2, and 3.

Vision Plan: Unum (Powered by EyeMed). City of Wilmington offers two vision plans, Basic Vision coverage which is available if you enroll in medical insurance. Basic Vision Coverage which is no cost, and the Buy-Up Vision coverage is available at an additional cost.

Additional Benefits: The City of Wilmington also offers other valuable benefits such as Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability. Employer Provided HRA’s, Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional whole and term life insurances, short term disability and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Opt-Out Cash Back Incentive Program: Employees who choose to enroll in medical or dental coverage other than the City’s and can provide proof of this medical coverage may be eligible to receive additional income.

Wellness: We enjoy staying healthy together! Therefore, we have an engaging calendar of wellness events throughout the year for employees, retirees and their families. To learn more, check out our Employee Perks page.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: At least eight (8) hours* of vacation per month after the completion of the first six (6) months* of continuous employment until the next January 1. Each January 1 thereafter, employee will be credited with at least ninety-six (96) hours* of vacation for the calendar year, until the completion of five (5) years of continuous service.

Holiday: Eligible employees receive holiday pay from date of hire, View City Holidays

Life Insurance: The City agrees to provide term life insurance for each eligible employee for a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) at no cost.

Pension: Eligible employees are able to participate in the State Pension Plan you will contribute 6% of your bi-weekly base pay.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional employee contributory plan available.

Live Near Your Work Program: Homebuyer Assistance program to provide up to $4,000 in homebuyers assistance for newly hired employees, first time homebuyers, and those employees choosing to purchase a residence in one of the City’s unique and culture-blended neighborhoods.

Tuition Reimbursement: The City encourages employee self-development and continuing education and provides a reimbursement program for eligible employees annually for qualified college or certification courses taken that year.

Teleworking/Remote Work*: Eligible employees qualify for a hybrid schedule upon approval through the city’s teleworking policy. The City is committed to increasing employee productivity and improving talent recruitment by providing employees with work alternatives that enable eligible employees to meet their work and family needs.

PSLF Program Eligible Employer: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click PSLF Loan Forgiveness.

*Benefits for employees under collective bargaining agreements or appointed positions may vary.