Urban Forester – Limited Service

Overview

Hourly rates within the Classified Bargaining Unit Pay Plan will change effective July 2, 2023. At that time, the starting rate (Step 1) for this job opening will be $25.43 per hour.

Join the dedicated team of the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program at the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) as an Urban Forester. This position works with municipal staff, tree board and committee members, volunteers, residents, partner organizations, and other natural resource professionals including nursery growers and arborists to promote and support proper tree selection, planting, and care throughout Vermont. The primary duties are to support coordination and technical assistance towards an initiative to plant 5,000 trees in Vermont’s downtowns and village centers.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Working with program staff and municipal partners to coordinate the Vermont Community Canopy free tree giveaway program twice a year, including staffing tree pick-up events in communities;
• Designing, promoting, and offering tree planting and maintenance workshops for participants of the Vermont Community Canopy program and responding to inquiries from municipal staff and volunteers who are planting trees;
• Developing and implementing a technical support program for households participating in the Vermont Community Canopy program that need assistance with tree planting;
• Developing a monitoring program to track trends in tree survivability and health in partner municipalities, including the municipalities that have participated in the Vermont Community Canopy Program since its inception in 2017;
• Designing and providing opportunities for technical assistance in tree selection, site assessment, tree planting, and tree maintenance to urban tree planting grant recipients;
• Designing and providing tree stewardship opportunities including tree planting and pruning workshops, tree inventory activities, tree warden and municipal staff trainings, and municipal tree planning and policy development; and
• Developing resources such as instructional videos, guidance documents, and website content to support tree selection, site assessment, tree planting, tree care, and planning for vibrant urban and community forests.

An ideal candidate will have arboricultural experience and knowledge. If not already a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture, candidates should be willing to apply for the credential within one year. Candidates should have experience of working independently and as part of a team. Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups are critical to this position, as is the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with community partners, municipal staff, forestry professionals, co-workers, and partner organizations. In addition, the position requires skills in project management, meeting facilitation, public speaking and presentation development, and field-based data collection tools and software.

Candidates must be willing to travel and to work some weekends and evenings. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation currently operates in a hybrid working environment, supporting remote work as well as work days in the office. Permission to participate in telework is applied for on an individual basis. The position’s duty station is located at FPR Headquarters in Montpelier with the option to work out of the field office in Essex, VT when needed.

Who May Apply

This position, Urban Forester – Limited Service (Job Requisition #47585), is open to all State employees and external applicants. It is a Limited Service position, which is non-tenured and authorized for a specific period of time. Limited Service positions are established for specially funded projects or programs.

If you would like more information about the duration of this position or other details, please contact elise.schadler@vermont.gov.
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Environmental Factors

Duties are performed more than half the time in a field setting; involving exposure to the full range of Vermont weather conditions. Strength and agility are needed in traversing steep and rough terrain. A valid motor vehicle operator’s license is required. Some work outside of regular working hours may be required. Strong and conflicting public opinions may be encountered, particularly in fieldwork in the regulatory programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in forestry or a natural resource field AND two (2) years or more of experience at a professional level in forestry or a natural resources field.

OR

Master’s degree in forestry or a natural resource field.

OR

One (1) year or more as Forester I with the State of Vermont.

Special Requirements

State of Vermont Forester License may be required for specific positions in this class.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it’s more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

  • 80% State paid medical premium
  • Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
  • Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
  • Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
  • Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
  • Low cost group life insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Incentive-based Wellness Program
  • Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.

Job Category
Sports, Fitness and Recreation
Job Type
unspecified
Salary
USD 25.43 per hour
Country
United States
City
Montpelier
Career Level
unspecified
Company
State of Vermont
JOB SOURCE
https://careers.vermont.gov/job/Montpelier-Urban-Forester-Limited-Service-VT-05601/1042585700/