Urban Forestry High Plains Arboretum Supervisor

High Plains Arboretum Supervisor

JOB TITLE: Arboretum Supervisor

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: CRE/Urban Forestry

SUPERVISOR: Urban Forestry Manager

SALARY: $59,942 to $83,918 annually

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The Arboretum Supervisor oversees and performs the day-to-day arboriculture and educational activities at the High Plains Arboretum. Works with the Urban Forestry Manager and crew to coordinate and perform work in a safe manner according to industry standards. Serves as the public representative of the High Plains Arboretum.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform, train, and oversee tasks involved in the care and maintenance of trees at the arboretum; including tree removal, tree pruning, tree planting, mulching, watering, pesticide application and stump grinding. Establish schedules and methods for providing tree maintenance; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff, and train employees appropriately to accomplish tasks.
• Oversee the plant propagation program at the High Plains Arboretum. Identify appropriate plants for propagation, then research and implement the proper propagation techniques for each species. Maintain plant production areas and ensure that irrigation, pest control and sanitation are appropriate for optimal plant health. Work as needed on weekends and holidays to keep plants healthy.
• Direct activities of seasonal and part-time arboretum staff and volunteers. Work with employees to set goals based upon the mission and future goals of the Arboretum, conduct evaluations, set schedules, and assign tasks as necessary. Ensure the crew is following industry standard safety procedures and utilizing all required PPE.
• Serve as the public representative and educator about the history and plant collection of the High Plains Arboretum. Research and digitize historical documents about the horticultural research conducted at the station, give talks and tours to the public and private groups. Attend meetings with government entities to represent the Arboretum when necessary.
• Improve the aesthetic quality of the High Plains Arboretum by removing dead branches, mowing, snow removal, and installing new plants where appropriate, focusing on the areas with the highest level of visitor traffic first.
• Work with the Urban Forestry Manager to develop the overall future planning, annual budget, strategic plan, propagation, and plant curation strategies to fulfill the vision and mission of the Arboretum.
• Manage annual plant sale fundraisers, grants and donations for the Arboretum. Write grant applications, oversee projects, and report on grant funding as required. Manage multiple short and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Curate historic documents and photographs relating to the arboretum. Design, order and install interpretive signage as funding allows.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain an accurate inventory of the trees in the High Plains Arboretum using Tree Plotter and historical inventories.
• Perform basic maintenance and custodial tasks for the buildings and equipment at the Arboretum, maintain a safe environment with an appropriate level of cleanliness for public facilities.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of Arboriculture and woody plant propagation.
• Coordinate with contractors for maintenance and construction projects as necessary. Work with City services on building and equipment maintenance needs.
• Assist other divisions and departments upon request.
• Participate in special events and on call responsibilities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge and experience relating to all aspects of arboriculture, including tree planting, pruning, removal, watering, mulching and herbicide/insecticide application.
• Knowledge of general horticultural practices including plant identification, propagation, soil science, plant health/nutrition, pest identification and control methods.
• Knowledge of operations, services, and activities of a public garden.
• Strong manual dexterity skills to operate maintenance tools including but not limited to chain saws, hand saws, pole and hand pruners, shovels, rakes, leaf blowers, and pesticide sprayers. Properly lift and move objects up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Knowledge of principles and practices in volunteer management, customer service, and greenhouse management.
• Ability to manage and coordinate programs, classes and events for the public.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other city departments and staff, volunteers, committees, officials, and the public, and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise initiative and make appropriate decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments within established deadlines.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive presentations and represent ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to participate in programs such as Arbor Day, Superday, Rooted in Cheyenne planting events and other urban forestry community programs.
• Ability to work as a team member with other employees to maximize both the quantity and quality of work produced.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with complex situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to maintain safe working conditions for public, volunteers, and other staff members.
• Skill with computers and technology. Ability to learn new programs and their uses.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in forestry, horticulture, botany, or other closely related field of study OR
• High School diploma or equivalent AND minimum four years of verifiable prior job experience working in arboriculture, urban forestry, plant propagation or horticulture.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, or other closely related field of study and three (3) years of verifiable prior job experience working in arboriculture, forestry or horticulture with plant propagation experience.

Certifications and Licenses

Required:

• International Society of Arboriculture Arborist Certification.

Preferred:

• Wyoming Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators License
• First Aid Certification
• CPR Certification

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, and writing. The employee is also required to maintain physical condition necessary for operating assigned equipment, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending or sitting for prolonged periods of time and lifting to 60 pounds. Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Working Environment:

Work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environmental conditions; cold, warm, humid air may regularly occur; exposure to high noise levels, slippery, uneven surfaces, dust, wind, sun and inclement weather; exposure to fertilizers, cleaning chemicals, and pest control agents. Outdoor environments in different seasons.