New Job Urban Forest Technician In Nova Scotia

Urban Forest Technician
Urban Forest Technician

Urban Forest Technician

Company : Halifax Regional Municipality
Salary : Details not provided
Location : Nova Scotia

Full Description

Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Urban Forest Technician in Road Operations and Construction, Transportation and Public Works. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Reporting to the Manager of Urban Forestry - the Urban Forest Technician will assist with the development, implementation, and control of all procedures related to the protection and preservation of municipal trees and urban tree canopy implicated in Development and Capital construction.

The Urban Forestry Technician will play a key role in advocacy for trees and tree canopy in HRM through the support of education and outreach initiatives, as well as contributing to policy and regulation development under the direction of the Manager of Urban Forestry.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Works as part of the Road Operations and Construction - TPW team to achieve the goals and objectives of the Division and the Business Unit.
  • Provides Urban Forestry support to Development Engineering in the form of educating developers on tree protection requirements, reviewing tree protection plans and Construction Management Plans submitted through the Development Permitting process, conducts tree Appraisal and Valuations for compensation, and conducts assessments of Forestry assets to be assumed through the subdivision development process
  • Coordinates new asset inventory data collection and entry into the municipal asset registry
  • Provide technical support to the Planning & Development Business Unit by reviewing and guiding planning applications implicating mature trees.
  • Represents the municipality as an expert witness in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture related legal matters
  • Establishes and maintains positive and effective relationships with the public, municipal staff, HRM Council, Developers, contractors, etc.
  • Issues and monitors Tree Permits, and “Letters of Permission” related to By-Law T-600 Respecting Trees.
  • Provides technical guidance to the Engineering Team and Construction Inspection team in respect to tree protection, removal and/or replacement.
  • Provide inspection services for development sites and capital construction to ensure compliance with prescribed tree protection measures.
  • Assists the Manager of Urban Forestry through the coordination of team efforts encompassing:
  • Process and procedure development and review.
  • Review and development of guidelines and standards to support the establishment and protection of trees in the built environment.
  • Review of Transportation Infrastructure functional plans, assisting functional planning teams and consultants in measures and design to best protect or compensate for trees and green infrastructure implicated in these plans
  • Application, development, and review of the Urban Forest Master Plan.
  • Facilitates learning in the organization and public as it relates to trees.
  • Facilitates effective planning processes, action result-based plans, maximizing use of available resources and uses innovation to access new resources while monitoring results and adjusting accordingly.
  • Assists in Emergency Management Response related activities.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:
  • Post-secondary degree or diploma in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environment, or related field; education equivalencies including ISA certification combined with five years directly related experience may be considered.
  • A minimum of three (3) years experience in the field of municipal Urban Forestry with a particular focus on tree protection and preservation as it relates to development and/or construction.
  • Tree Risk Assessor Qualification (TRAQ) and/or Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification Training (TPAQ) considered an Asset
  • Valid NS Driver’s License and use of a personal vehicle are necessary for required local travel
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
  • Sound knowledge and experience in the areas of: utilizing a variety of communication platforms, negotiation, facilitation, conflict management and customer service excellence.
Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:
  • Thorough knowledge of current trends/needs in sustainable urban forest management.
  • Thorough knowledge of tree biology and best management practices for tree protection and/or establishment of trees in an urban environment
  • General knowledge of the Urban Forest Master Plan in Halifax Regional Municipality.
Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

HRM takes the health and safety of its job applicants and employees seriously. Where possible, recruitment testing and interviews will be done by way of phone, video conference, or other virtual means to assist with and encourage social distancing. For applicants with concerns about computer or internet access or to request another accommodation to the recruitment process, please contact your HR representative or [email protected].

COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Value & Ethics, Organizational Awareness, Teamwork & Cooperation, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Analytical Thinking

WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time

HOURS OF WORK: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, 35 hours per week. Some flexibility may be required due to operational needs.

SALARY: NSUPE Level 9, $37.76 per hour as per the NSUPE Collective Agreement

WORK LOCATION: 3825 Mackintosh St. Halifax NS

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59Pm on February 14, 2023

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.

(position #78627480)