Arborist en City of Milton, GA

About the Department

The Arborist oversees the City’s tree program and leads sustainability initiatives, programs, and policies aimed at enhancing Milton’s natural environment and minimizing its negative environmental impact. This individual reviews tree permits and development projects for tree and landscape compliance, collaborates across departments to advance citywide sustainability goals, and provides community outreach and education on natural resources. 

Position Duties

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Interpret, explain, and enforce City ordinances related to tree preservation, protection, and replacement.
• Review all tree permits, development plans, drawings, and tree protection/removal plans for compliance with ordinances; approve or recommend corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct site inspections throughout all stages of construction to ensure compliance with approved tree, landscape, and sustainability plans; evaluate tree health, identify hazards, and perform follow-up inspections, including post-construction compliance checks.
• Lead the City’s tree programs, including inventory, planting, pruning, removal, and long-term preservation.
• Oversee sustainability and conservation initiatives such as Arbor Day, National Wildlife Habitat, Christmas tree recycling, and Green Communities certification.
• Maintain program metrics, including tree inventories, Tree City USA certification, sustainability dashboards, and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to developers, landscapers, property owners, residents, and the public regarding tree preservation and sustainable practices.
• Manage natural resource related volunteer programs, stakeholder engagement, and public education efforts; coordinate committees and events that promote environmental stewardship and green community initiatives.
• Advance sustainability initiatives that reduce environmental impacts, support healthy ecosystems, and foster resilient, livable green communities.
• Pursue, secure, and manage grants for tree planting, habitat restoration, conservation, and environmental education projects.
• Conduct site visits across the City to inspect development projects, monitor City properties, deliver educational programs, and perform professional arborist duties.

• This position must be able to operate a motor vehicle to travel between City facilities and work sites in order to provide technical support and participate in projects as required.
• May be required to support the City’s emergency management program.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 
Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science or related field; and  two (2) years of urban forestry, tree preservation, landscape, or environmental/natural resource experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.  
Additional Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification. 
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Other Qualifications

Leadership: 
Has guidelines for work but determines the approach.
Complexity: 
Performs entry-level professional work including basic data analysis and synthesis, report creation, process performance, and regulatory or compliance activities. The work involves statistics, operations analysis, or forecasting.
Decision Making:
Makes decisions that govern the activities as well as others. The decisions impact how the unit provides services and support to internal and external customers.
Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of construction-related equipment and automated office machines which includes computer, printer, copier, etc. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. Must be able to exert up to fifty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to twenty pounds frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for physically active work. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to one hundred pounds.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with office equipment and recording devices.
• Ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using various pieces of equipment, automated office equipment; and to operate motor vehicles.
• Ability to handle a variety of items including construction-related equipment, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have above average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
• Ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear)