Arborist (Seasonal)

City of Mount Dora

Public Works Department

The Consulting Arborist shall serve in a support function to the City Manager, the City Public Works Director, and other City Departments as needed. The Consulting Arborist shall provide professional consultation services to the Public Works Director in areas including, but not limited to, the pruning, removal, fertilization and other routine treatment to sustain our existing trees, as well as consultation services regarding the planting or replacement of City trees. All recommendations shall conform to ANSI A300 standards. The Consulting Arborist will not perform the physical labor surrounding such removal, maintenance or planting of trees. Estimated time per month is approximately twenty (20) hours.

Essential Duties:

1. All tasks are on an as needed basis, as requested in writing, by the City.
2. The Consulting Arborist shall consult with the Public Works Department and future Tree Committee on strategic planning programs including, but not limited to: the management of the City tree inventory, the development of a tree management plan, and updating the City’s appropriate street tree list to meet contemporary "right tree/right place" standards.
3. The Consulting Arborist may consult, upon the request of the City's Planning and Zoning Office, with that staff or other City departments to review and analyze tree planting plans provided by developers as part of a Zoning Application, or with other City entities as part of a municipal construction project.
4. Conduct inspections and site visits for public trees and private trees that are protected under the City’s urban forest code.
5. Monitors and inspects work in progress.
6. Report on tree conditions, in written form, and provide an accurate and detailed assessment of tree species, size, health, and evaluation of root conditions, structure, risk factors and a recommendation on whether a waiver or permit should be issued or denied.
7. Provide pest and disease diagnostics and provide protection strategies from the physical stresses of construction.
8. Provide photographic documentation.
9. Assist and advise the City on landscape plans as needed.
10. Advise staff on all matters related to tree plantings, pruning and removals for all street trees and trees in public areas.
11. Act in an advisory capacity to the City’s Tree Committee, City Council, and City staff.
12. Assist the City with other duties that may be requested, related to tree protection and management.
13. Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of municipal policies, operation, procedures, ordinances, and functions.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, regulations, procedure manuals and plans.
• Has effective communication skills, both written and oral, with staff, government officials and members of the public.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees and the general public.

Qualifications

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Urban Forestry or similar forestry major, or equivalent.
• ISA Certified Arborist with a minimum of five years of experience.
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
• Active membership in the International Society of Arboriculture and/or American Society of Consulting Arborists.
• Has a thorough technical understanding of tree identification including common and botanical names of Native trees to the state of Florida.
• Attend at least three Tree Committee public meetings annually.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License.

The City of Mount Dora is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Mount Dora will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Mount Dora is a drug-free, smoke-free, EOE.