Urban Forester I

Job Announcement

Fairfax County boasts a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, thousands of acres of parkland, and bustling town centers. County government sits at the heart of this dynamic community of almost 1.2 million residents and seeks employees eager to bring their energy, enthusiasm and skills to serve Fairfax residents and to shape the county's future. Land Development Services (LDS) is the steward of the county's land development and building construction codes and regulations, and its staff members embrace their essential role as "first preventers." Every day, through careful review, permitting and inspection of site and building construction, our staff protect the health, safety, welfare, and environment for those who live in, work in, and visit Fairfax County. Our department also serves as the gateway to much of the county's economic development, reviewing over 30,000 building and site plan submissions, issuing nearly 70,000 building permits, and conducting over 220,000 building and site inspections each year. If you would like to join a creative, collaborative, innovative team doing meaningful work, then LDS is the place for you.

Under supervision of Urban Forester III, position within the Forest Conservation Branch. Plans and implements forest conservation, urban forestry, landscape management and land development practices, procedures and projects within a geographical subset of Fairfax County; and performs related work as required. Complies with LDS s safety program and guidelines. Position requires incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to drive to/from construction sites, offsite meetings, training and/or conferences. Complies with county, agency, and job specific training, including but limited to Emergency Management and Safety related courses.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, environmental science, landscape architecture, agriculture or related field.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED:A valid driver's license. Certified Arborist Certification (International Society of Arboriculture) within 9 months of hire.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a driver's license check to the satisfaction of the employer.

The appointee to this position will be required to be available twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) to respond to snow, flooding, and other designated emergencies on an as-needed basis

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability and experience (minimum of 6 months) in performing urban forestry field work including pre-construction meetings, final inspections, and ability to read and interpret construction plans and documents. Working knowledge of horticulture including trees, shrubs and vines as applied to the urban environment. Experience in Microsoft Office Suite applications. Experience in assessing the impacts of construction activities and urbanization on individual trees and forest communities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to access tight spaces, crawl, reach, and stoop. Ability to be physically active for three hours at a time. Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Ability to stand for 2 hours at a time. Ability to use hand tools. Ability to walk, negotiate or traverse property sites that may be undergoing construction or having terrain that is not level. Ability to work in hot and cold temperatures. Visual acuity to review detailed drawings, plans and documents. Work requires performing tasks in adverse weather conditions. Ability to drive a motor vehicle. Physically and mentally able to use all applicable personal protective equipment in an outdoor environment, including hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection, safety footwear, long pants, and sleeved shirt. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spani­­sh, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact for assistance. TTY EEO/AA/TTY.

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