URBAN FORESTRY TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.  

The Urban Forestry Technical Services Manager oversees the Technical Services of the Forestry Section by developing and implementing in-service training programs, coordinating independent and cooperative research projects related to plant health care, urban forest management techniques and operations and supervising up to 25 Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices, three full-time Tree Protection Technicians, six Urban Forestry Interns and three Youth Arborist Apprentices annually.  The Urban Forestry Technical Services Manager participates in snow and ice control operations.

This position is anticipated to be part of the City’s “Growing Milwaukee’s Tree Canopy and Community Resilience Program,” funded by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service for three years.  This is intended to be a regularly-budgeted position within the Forestry Section after the three-year grant period.

This position is funded for three years by a grant from the USDA-Forest Service. At the end of the term of the grant, the Forestry Section will attempt to place a successfully performing incumbent in a regularly funded position.

Technical and Educational Services

• Provide technical and administrative support to the Urban Forestry Services Manager, DPW Operations Director, Operations Policy Analyst and all districts in the Forestry Section, including contract administration.
• Coordinate the field and classroom training for all new Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices
• Develop and implement a comprehensive in-service training program for forestry personnel to include both in-house and outside instructional resources.
• Train divisional personnel as instructors for in-service programs.
• Develop, acquire and maintain current written and visual instructional materials.

Oversight of the Plant Health Care Management Program

• Direct and consult regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pest problems, including insects, diseases, abiotic disorders, and weeds.
• Monitor pest and disease incidence and population levels.
• Coordinate, consult and make recommendations on pesticide application programs, including proper materials, equipment, calibration, methods, timing and personal protective equipment.
• Coordinate, manage and supervise certain pesticide application programs, including the treatment of 8,300 ash street trees annually to manage the public risk accompanying Emerald Ash Borer.
• Monitor pesticide use; maintain pesticide application records, current pesticide label handbook, and pesticide manual.
• Coordinate cooperative state and federal quarantine and control programs for exotic and invasive landscape pests, such as Gypsy Moth, Emerald Ash Borer and Oak Wilt.
• Develop, implement and evaluate the Forestry Section's action plans for invasive and exotic pests.

Management and Administrative Support

• Manage district snow and ice control operations and field crew responses to weather related emergency conditions, such as windstorms, ice storms and construction damage to trees (subject to emergency call-out 24 hours a day).
• Perform contract administration duties; develop supporting specifications and requisitions for professional services, equipment, and supplies.
• Appear at aldermanic committee, town hall and neighborhood meetings to represent the Section.
• Recruit, interview, and hire Urban Forestry Interns; coordinate Interns’ activities related to research, landscape management, and other special projects.
• Recruit, interview, hire, mentor, and train Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices and Youth Arborist Apprentices.
• Prepare various technical and administrative reports and documents.

Research and Development

• Design, develop and/or evaluate new methods, materials, and strategies for pest management, plant health care and urban forest management for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Serve as liaison and coordinator of cooperative research with universities, governmental agencies and private companies.
• Research, evaluate and administer various technical projects, such as computerized street tree inventories and urban forestry management software applications.
• Remain informed relative to current published research; maintain a technical file covering all aspects of divisional operations.
• Hazardous Materials Management
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal pesticide and hazardous materials regulations.
• Requisition, deliver, and manage the inventory of pesticides and chemicals.
• Maintain a current file of material safety data sheets on all potentially hazardous substances in use.

Construction Activities

• Supervise three Urban Forestry Technicians who perform functions related to tree protection.
• Coordinate and regulate contractor activities impacting city landscaping and trees.                   

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Urban Forestry Technical Services Manager must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work extended work shifts during emergency operations.
• Work for prolonged periods outdoors in variable weather and environmental conditions, and tolerate noise, vibration, and exposure to airborne contaminants.
• Perform work requiring physical exertion and agility, including walking distances; climbing stairs and ladders; bending and crawling; reaching, pushing, and pulling; and doing repetitive movements.
• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
• Maintain awareness of surroundings.
• Adhere to departmental standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

1. Bachelor's degree in forestry, ornamental horticulture, forest entomology, plant pathology, biology or a related field.
2. Three years of experience in technical instruction and materials development in forestry, horticulture or a closely related field.
3. Valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
4. Wisconsin Pesticide Applicators license in categort 3.0 (Turf & Landscape) and ISA Certified Arborist certification within six months of appointment and throughout employment. 
5. Teaching Methods & Technology for Apprentice and Preparing to Teach Transition to Trainer certifications within six months of appointment and throughout employment.
6. Residency within 15 miles of the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Milwaukee within six months of appointment and throughout employment, pursuant to Rule III, Section 4(g) of the Rules of the City Service Commission. A map defining the jurisdictional boundary is located on the Fire and Police Commission website at: https://city.milwaukee.gov/fpc/Residency-Map.htm.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Master’s degree in forestry, ornamental horticulture, forest entomology, plant pathology, biology or a related field.
• Experience in technology transfer and/or ornamental plant research.
• Experience in database management and/or specialized urban forestry software applications.
• International Society of Arborculture (ISA) Municipal Specialist and/or ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.

Technical    

• Knowledge of plant health care management principles. 
• Knowledge of research design and natural resources population sampling techniques.   
• Knowledge of governmental regulations regarding pesticides and hazardous material management. 
• Knowledge of arboriculture practices and techniques. 
• Ability to write comprehensive technical reports.
• Ability to accurately interpret research data and other technical information to provide skilled workforce training and prepare related articles for the general public.
• Ability to effectively utilize the Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize Microsoft Access and Publisher applications. 
• Ability to use spreadsheet, database, project management and word processing software to develop reports, business correspondence and summarize data.

Communication and Interpersonal   

• Written communications skills to create reports and business correspondence.
• Verbal communication and presentation skills to represent the program effectively.
• Ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with diverse groups of people and at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently as a member of highly supportive team.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff, the public, city officials and other outside agencies.
• Ability to exhibit cultural awareness and sensitivity.        

Judgment and Analytical Skills    

• Analytical skills and the ability to use sound judgment to solve complex problems and make decisions.
• Honesty, integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality.  
• Ability to be diplomatic and to operate with tact and professionalism.
• Ability to plan, organize, and accomplish work, manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines.        
• Ability to mentor others and manage multiple tasks with competing priorities.  

The current salary range (1GX) is $79,399-$98,703 annually, and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $81,781-$101,664 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

Employees in this position who are regularly involved in snow and ice control operations which result in an excessive amount of overtime work will receive 4.8% additional biweekly salary as compensation for the overtime work.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATION and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.  

EEO = 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.