Urban Forestry Program Manager

Work, Serve, Thrive.  With the City of Durham     Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. The General Services Department's innovative, highly qualified, service-oriented individuals support the City we love. Building and maintaining city facilities and public spaces is what we do. Promoting our enviable quality of life and serving as a foundation of a healthy economy is why we do it. If you're interested in applying your unique skills to meaningful work while growing in your career, our team is for you! Workdays/Hours:  Monday - Friday / 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Position devoted to providing physical, technical and administrative support to the Urban Forestry Division in their tree planting, maintenance, risk management and inventory programs, and for the writing and execution of grants and grant-funded contracts through the performance of complex and advanced administrative support, skilled labor and technical work. Incumbents serve as liaison and quality-control guarantor with contractors and volunteers engaged in multiple aspects of arboriculture, as a subject matter expert in the creation, review and execution of tree planting and young tree management plans, and as a partner in the public outreach and engagement process. Incumbents also serve as an active member of the City of Durham's Urban Forestry Division and will be called upon to support the team as it prioritizes its workflow based on the volume of seasonal requests. Position will be responsible for implementation of the City's annual tree planting and maintenance program in addition to a USDA $5.3 million/ 5-year Urban and Community Forestry Grant; coordinating work performed by contractors; inspecting work; ensuring quality control; approving purchases; assisting with budget planning; working with vendors to grow and supply specific trees needed for specific urban sites; performing follow-up inspection and inventory condition updates for newly installed trees and available planting sites; maintaining records and databases; basic research, compiling data and formulating preliminary recommendations; creating reports; adhering to federal grant reporting requirements; coordinating workflow; participating in the development and implementation of annual planting workplans; providing customer service; working with complex mapping, asset management and inventory software; and performing tasks similar to those supervised. Work involves outreach and collaboration with all levels of the organization as well as outside agencies, non-profit, government and nongovernmental organizations, citizens, and elected officials. In support of seasonal workload demands, additional duties may include emergency storm response dispatch, debris removal, and mature tree pruning and removal. * Gathers and compiles data; extracts information from data systems; draft reports from others notes or own research; prepares documents, reports, presentations, correspondence and policy/procedure manuals. * Serves as lead user for specialized databases and software systems; participates in database and/or software testing; coordinates workflow and implements improvements to processes. * Communicates with and provides information to Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator(s), partners and residents in areas affected by tree planting projects and participates in outreach and support activities such as tree planting, watering and pruning workshops. * Develops annual tree planting plan through site visits, inter-departmental site vetting and verification. * Coordinates and performs duties associated with annual Tree City USA recertification including Arbor Day celebration, proclamation, and associated event planning. * Researches, writes and submits grant proposals for tree planting and maintenance projects and administers subsequent grants awarded. * Assists with procurement and budget planning by researching tree nurseries and other supply-related information; stocks trees and planting-related supplies and ensures adequate inventory; monitors and estimates materials; makes, reviews and/or approves purchases; and coordinates equipment transfer and acquisition. * Prepares, maintains, reviews, and/or approves reports, records, logs, tree planting requests, and plan execution documentation; oversees and maintains databases; reviews work and the work of others to ensure accuracy and completeness. * Operates equipment; may perform tasks like those supervised; and troubleshoots complex issues to facilitate and/or improve ongoing departmental operations. * Public speaking. KNOWLEDGE OF: * Urban tree planting: species selection, identification, site selection, suitability and tree/site compatibility. * Nursery production standards. * Tree installation protocols and industry standards. * Mapping and inventory software. * Arboriculture and tree care. * Tree health, physiology and risk assessment. * Contract monitoring. * Grant writing and administration. * Associate's degree "or" equivalent. * Three (3) years of work-related experience. * Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License. * Lead or supervisory experience. * Must complete job related and/or safety training based on assignment, such as (but not limited to) CPR/First Aid, Aerial Rescue Training, Bloodborne Pathogen and Electrical Hazard Awareness training. * North Carolina Pesticide Applicator's License. * Position critical to emergency operations and will report to work in spite of or because of an emergency or disaster event. * At least one (1) year of combined work and educational experience in mapping, inventory, tree planting plan design, review and/or execution. * At least one (1) year of combined work and educational experience in project and/or contract management. * International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified "OR" (1) must meet minimum qualifications for ISA certification at time of hire (for detailed information go to: ) and (2) obtain the ISA certification within 6 months of hire. * ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) must be obtained within 18 months of hire. * Valid North Carolina Class A Commercial Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record. * Experience with administering publicly funded programs. * Experience managing tree planting program and maintenance programs using in-house and/or contract crews.  * Experience in municipal or commercial arboriculture.

Created: 2025-01-18