Skilled Worker - Forest Management

Job Summary

Bellevue is known as "A City in a Park," with a park system comprised of 2,700 acres of parks and open space.  Bellevue's Parks and Community Services Department has a unique opportunity for you as Forest Management Skilled Worker. The Forest Management Program provides site management of approximately 2,000 acres of undeveloped forested open space properties. These properties are geographically distributed throughout the city and consist of upland forests, lowland forests, steep slopes, meadows, shorelines, wetlands and riparian corridors. These properties are managed for a wide variety of community benefits including recreation, wildlife habitat and ecosystem functions such as stormwater retention, air and water filtration and carbon sequestration. We’re looking for an energetic candidate with the desire to grow and learn within our dynamic work group.   

The Forest Management Skilled Worker position performs all tasks associated with their work group. They conscientiously and competently operate and care for all equipment needed to complete the tasks of their work group. Work will be performed cooperatively with other employees as necessary and completed in a manner that assures individual, co-worker, and public safety in all weather and working conditions. Employees make decisions necessary to plan, organize, and complete their work with appropriate efficiency, and complete work in a manner that commands the respect of, or demonstrates appropriate courtesy to, co-workers and the public. In all instances, City liability may be affected by improperly performed work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include any combination of the following tasks:

• Work tasks include, but are not limited to, mowing, line trimming, blowing, brush cutting, weeding, grubbing, herbicide applications, pruning trees, tree rigging and removals, chipping, storm damage response, debris removal, planting, manual watering, temporary irrigation installation and maintenance, and general carpentry.
• Implements and maintains wetland, forest, wildlife and stream enhancement projects.  
• Assists in the implementation of the annual property boundary inspection, tree risk management and park code compliance program.  Documents findings of liability trees, illegal dumping, illegal tree cutting and encroachments.
• Provides data entry and editing in the Forest Management GIS geodatabase.  Prepares maps for use in resolving property boundary conflicts and park code violations through voluntary compliance.
• Assists in the management of volunteer forest restoration activities to support the Arbor/Earth Day, Eco-Friday and Stewardship Saturday programs/events.   
• Assists with the removal and cleanup of unlawful camping sites.  
• Provides snow removal, plowing and vegetation management/removal services during winter storm events.
• Acts as a resource for residents; evaluates and responds to resident concerns based on established policies and best management practices. 
• Collaborates with and assists staff from other divisions/departments.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Experience and ability to proficiently use small tools, equipment and vehicles including, but not limited to, brush cutters, chainsaws, hedge sheers, blowers, mowers, chippers, backhoes, tractors, farm implements, power tools, 1-ton trucks, boom trucks, sprayers, watering equipment, and snowplows.
• Knowledge and understanding of industry recognized standard of care as it relates to arboriculture and tree risk management, including familiarity with ANSI A300 specifications for tree care.   
• Understanding of liability issues and potential exposures as they relate to managing trees on publicly owned property.
• Knowledge of and ability to identify commonly found Pacific Northwest native plant species, their characteristics and ecological requirements for establishment and care.
• Knowledge of and ability to identify commonly found Pacific Northwest exotic plant species, their characteristics and best management practice(s) for management and/or eradication.  
• Ability to identify and manage commonly found fungal, bacterial and insect pathogens that infect native plant species. 
• Knowledge and experience with performing level 1, 2 and 3 tree risk assessments per the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) manual.  
• Experience installing and maintaining temporary irrigation systems.
• Knowledge and experience using GIS software including the latest edition of Esri’s ArcMap and Fields Maps applications.  
• Knowledge and experience with basic computer software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.   

Core Competencies

• Customer Focus: We are focused on the needs of the customer, and on developing strong relationships with our customers.
• Instills Trust: Through authenticity, integrity and honesty, we gain the trust and respect of all of those with whom we work.
• Communicates Effectively: We understand the need to develop multimode forms of communication to address the needs of all of the audiences with whom we are engaging.
• Cultivates Innovation: We are focused on generating new and creative ways for our organization to be successful.

Qualifications

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from high school or a GED equivalent. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in forest management, urban forestry, restoration ecology, environmental horticulture, or other environmental science related field is preferred.
• 3 or more years of experience in municipal forestry, arboriculture, plant ecology or other environmental science related field.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.  
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Flagger certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment is mostly outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.
• Common hazards include traffic, confined, or underground spaces, chemicals, and
• equipment.
• One or more employees may be called in off duty to respond to emergencies or peak user demand.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Work may routinely require the employee to walk, stand, crawl, or stoop.

Other

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under general supervision of the Forest Management Program Supervisor.
• Supervises seasonal field staff.

The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or bellevuehr@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

For more information, contact Rick Bailey at 425-452-6031 or via email at ribailey@bellevuewa.gov.  For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.