Summary of Duties

Reporting to the Manager, Urban Forestry, the incumbent contributes to the City’s Urban Forestry Strategy to enhance forest health and tree canopy cover. Works with other City divisions to ensure that Urban Forestry interests are planned, protected and implemented.

Work Performed

Assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of related departmental strategies, policies, procedures, programs and By-laws.

Administers the City of London’s Tree Protection By-law. This includes providing educational information to the community; reviewing applications, performing site visits, preparing permits, approving or denying applications, tracking and entering of application/permit data, preparing appeal hearing documents as needed and representing the Corporation at appeal hearings.

Enforces the City of London’s Tree Protection By-Law. As a municipal by-law enforcement officer (MLEO) investigating complaints and infractions of the Tree Protection By-law, issues tickets (Part 1 & Part 3); collects and prepares evidence; conducts proper handling of evidence; attends court hearings and provides evidence as required.

Provides subject matter expertise supporting the Corporation’s Property Standards By-Law. Performs evaluations where trees or tree limbs should be removed as they are creating unsafe conditions.

Reviews and monitors construction operations associated with development, building or other permits, utility operations, etc. and recommends requirements for protecting existing trees, replanting and restoring planting environments to ensure compliance with permits.

Through daily work, responsible for identifying native and invasive insects and diseases and abiotic factors affecting the health, structure and public safety of the urban forest.

Maintains surveys to monitor pest populations and tree diseases; monitors control
operations to evaluate overall effectiveness; collects insect and disease samples from field sites and conducts analysis and identification of the samples.

Researches, compiles, reviews and develops correspondence, technical and statistical reports, studies and presentations for the co-ordination of work flow and provides responses to special requests as required.

Prepares reports, plans, cost estimates, and tender documents for in-house projects. Recommends acceptance of various technical studies, computer analyses, designs, drawings, applications and proposals for approval by the Manager.

Administers contracted Forestry projects including, but not limited to: on-site inspection; monitoring for policy/procedure and Ontario Health & Safety Act and Regulations; co-ordinating of work; taking appropriate action to correct contraventions; making recommendation for payment in accordance with corporate guidelines and to provide effective project implementation and cost control.

Investigates, develops, adapts or modifies technical methods or procedures and makes recommendations to the Manager to deal with deviations from accepted standards, precedents, or situations for forestry matters.

Represents the Urban Forestry Section at various committees, as required, and chairs or attends staff meetings to provide information and advice, seek input from and present reports on projects and other matters with respect to forestry programs, policies, procedures and to coordinate projects.

Provides technical expertise (for e.g., to Development Services regarding tree preservation and planning plans), public consultation, training, guidance and education to Managers, staff, Council, stakeholders and the public on urban forest health issues and practices on public and private lands, including, but not limited to, the preparation of public notices, alerts and other informational materials and ensuring web site information is current.

Creates maps and diagrams using GIS and various computerized applications.

Participates in co-ordinating special projects and events as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Experience

Education:

Two year Community College diploma in Forestry or Arboriculture.

Experience:

A minimum of two years previous work experience in urban forestry.

Specialized Training & Licenses

A valid Ontario “G” class driver’s licence.

Valid International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification.

A valid International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) is an asset. Individuals without the ISA TRAQ qualifications must be able to obtain it within 12 months of employment.

Valid “Forestry Exterminator’s” and a valid “Landscape” licence is an asset.

Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applications and software.

Thorough knowledge of insects, diseases and abiotic factors relating to tree health in an urban environment and modern principles, practices, tools and techniques related to arboriculture

Demonstrated experience in contract administration/management and managing external services.

Must have excellent computer skills utilizing MS Office Suite and GIS software.

Compensation and Other Information

$46,252 - $65,530 (Level 10)

This is a permanent position being filled on a temporary basis for up to 2 years.

Other Information:

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
These hours of work are subject to change in accordance with the Collective Agreement and may include evening hours and Saturdays.

NOTE: Applicants may be required to complete a job related test.

As an inclusive employer, we are committed to providing a fully accessible recruitment process. Please contact us at any time during the recruitment process and let us know what accessible supports you may need.