Senior Urban Forestry Planner

This role entails executing complex professional and administrative tasks aimed at safeguarding, maintaining, and enhancing the City's tree canopy and urban forestry through the development, evaluation, and assessment of landscaping proposals.

This position necessitates a proactive mindset and relies significantly on professional expertise in implementing and ensuring adherence to regulations concerning trees, specifically:

the Rockville Forest and Tree Preservation Ordinance, Rockville Forest Conservation Manual, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Conservation Act, Maryland Forest Conservation Technical Manual, and State Roadside Tree Law.

The role supports the Parks management team and the Department of Public Works in achieving the overarching goals of their respective Capital Improvement Programs (CIP), making a substantial impact.

Additionally, the position involves conducting field inspections to ensure the proper execution of landscape plans for both private and public development initiatives.

The work is carried out under the general managerial oversight of the Chief of Zoning.

Key Responsibilities:
- Review development initiatives for compliance with the Forest and Tree Preservation Ordinance (FTPO) and Forest Conservation (FC) Manual.
- Supervise contract inspector roles.

- Assess site plans, forest conservation strategies, and other development applications for adherence to the FTPO and FC Manual while coordinating with other departments and external agencies.

- Provide expert technical guidance and offer arboriculture, forestry, and landscape consulting for development and CIP projects.
- Consult with and advise contractors, property owners, architects, and the public regarding ordinance requirements and problem-solving solutions.

- Prepare the forestry and landscape components of staff reports related to development projects for presentation to the Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and Mayor and Council.

- Attend Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and Mayor and Council meetings to provide support on forestry matters associated with development projects.

- Participate in Development Review meetings and other relevant discussions with applicants, engineers, planners, and community members as necessary.
- Interpret intricate zoning and development regulations and communicate information to the public in an accessible manner.

- Manage the evaluation of high-complexity development review applications, resulting in written analyses and recommendations for Approving Authorities.

- Present recommendations in written form, accompanied by graphics and oral presentations to Approving Authorities.

- Oversee staff research and evaluation of technical and industry advancements in tree preservation to identify 'best management practices' and propose updates to standards and details.

- Conduct field reviews independently and alongside various City inspectors on development and CIP projects.
- Enforce and monitor Environmental Guidelines as they pertain to the Forest Tree Preservation Ordinance.
- Draft ordinance and manual amendments in collaboration with the City Forester and Chief of Zoning.
- Assist the Chief of Zoning with research and development initiatives.
- Review legal documents related to the FTPO.
- Issue permits, accept and release bonds, and manage other forestry obligations.
- Advise the City Attorney's office on FTPO legal matters concerning code violations and interpretations. May serve as an expert witness in litigation cases.
- Oversee and assist in the inspector's review of all Natural Resource Inventory/Forest Stand Delineation plans for development projects and City CIP's, ensuring thorough review prior to approval.
- Update all FTPO-related applications, checklists, brochures, forms, and correspondence.
- Address, investigate, and resolve inquiries and complaints from citizens regarding development and CIP projects.

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in forestry, natural resource sciences, natural resource management, landscape or environmental planning, horticulture, or a closely related field from an accredited institution, coupled with five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in forestry or natural resource management; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications:

Must be recognized as a 'Qualified Professional' by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for forest stand delineation and forest conservation plans (or be a Maryland Professional Landscape Architect or Maryland Professional Forester) and must hold certification as an Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture.

Knowledge and Skills:
- Familiarity with the State of Maryland and City of Rockville forest and tree preservation ordinances.
- Understanding of contemporary tree preservation practices relevant to construction activities.
- Knowledge of landscape plant materials, including types, growth habits, and planting requirements.
- Awareness of ANSI pruning standards and recommendations from the International Society of Arboriculture.
- Knowledge of recommended standards and practices from the American Association of Nurserymen and the Maryland Nurserymen Association.
- Understanding of facility design and construction principles.
- General knowledge of the Zoning Ordinance, Stormwater Management, and Sediment Control Ordinance.
- Familiarity with the principles and practices of landscape architecture as applied to urban planning and development.
- Proficiency in computer applications relevant to planning (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and geographic information systems).

- Ability to communicate effectively and succinctly in both oral and written forms to the Mayor and Council, Planning Commission, and other stakeholders.

This includes presenting both technical and non-technical information to diverse audiences.
- Ability to draft, sketch, and illustrate in map and graphic formats.

- Capacity to analyze and evaluate relevant data, develop unbiased and concise recommendations, and implement approved plans.

- Knowledge of plant species suitable for stormwater management facilities.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints swiftly and accurately, and monitor progress.

- Ability to engage firmly yet fairly and tactfully, maintaining composure while interacting with builders, contractors, property owners, and the public.

- Ability to establish and sustain effective working relationships with individuals encountered in the course of work.
- Ability to convey clear explanations of ordinances and regulations and their underlying rationale.

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