Plan, develop, implement, and oversee City-wide forestry and horticultural programs, activities, and operations to achieve strategic objectives and ensure compliance with applicable standards, laws, policies, and regulations.

Environmental Factors

Position works primarily within an office environment with no notable hazards or conditions; outdoor work involves exposure to all weather and traffic conditions, hazardous tools, equipment, chemicals, dust, dirt, pesticides, fumes, and debris.

Physical Factors

Position involves moderate physical work including the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; sufficient clarity of speech, hearing, or other communication capabilities, vision or other powers of observation, and personal mobility and physical reflexes sufficient to effectively and efficiently perform essential job functions.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. May also involve responding to emergency situations, work on holidays, and weekends. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-time, regular, exempt position

• Coordinates and oversees the inspection, replacement, removal, planting, fertilizing, pruning, pest control, and overall care and maintenance for trees and other vegetation to assure compliance with applicable guidelines, practices, rules, and regulations.
• Manage and oversee the tree nursery to maintain appropriate types and levels of inventory, and the health and routine care of stock; updates and maintains records of the inventory and the location and condition of trees on City-owned properties.
• Provides oversight and coordinates the Tree Steward Program; provides instruction and training on planting and pruning methods and procedures, and disease detection, prevention, and treatment to promote the routine care, maintenance, and preservation of trees and other vegetation.
• Oversees, plans, coordinates, conducts, and participates in special programs, projects, workshops, activities, and events on a variety of forestry and horticulture subjects to encourage and facilitate community gardening and tree planting initiatives.
• Reviews, maintains, creates, updates, and submits records, forms, documents, and reports and processes transactions in various automated systems, formats, and software to ensure data integrity, compliance, and adherence to internal controls, policies, practices, and procedures.
• Collaborates and consults with other City Departments, including Police and Codes Enforcement, to monitor and enforce compliance with the City’s Tree Ordinance and permitting requirements; recommends appropriate amendments and process improvements as deemed necessary.
• Manages and monitors financial activities of assigned budgets and oversees procurement activities to assure compliance with established policies, procedures, and processes; assures appropriate allocation of available resources; manages the collection, analysis, and presentation of project, operational, and financial data; manages grant application processes and prepares and presents proposals and various special and recurring reports and documents to provide timely and accurate information.
• Administers the vector control program, including the coordination and facilitation of meetings, to effectively manage the contract and schedule of work.
• Provides and distributes timely, accurate, consistent information on programs, projects, activities, and events to recruit volunteers and promote positive relationships with neighborhoods, community groups, other agencies, and the public on Community Forestry initiatives.

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agriculture, or related field and four (4) years of experience in parks maintenance/horticultural work. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)
Valid Class D driver's license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Current industry related certifications or licensures may be required or preferred.

Considerable Knowledge of: principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; climate conditions, soils, plants and related diseases and pests common to the desert Southwest; principles and practices of effective customer service and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; principles and practices of administrative management including budgeting, record keeping, and records management; safe and effective use of related systems, tools, chemicals, and equipment; methods and standards for preparing business correspondence; business English, spelling, and grammar; standard and specialized personal computer applications; modern office practices and procedures; mathematical aptitude; City organization, operations, policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.
Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities timely and with accuracy to meet deadlines and ensure achievement of goals and objectives; read, understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with a variety of specifications, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; inspect and maintain grounds, equipment, and systems; use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety procedures; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; safely operate associated tools, equipment, and motor vehicles; perform technical reading and writing; effectively communicate in verbal and written form to groups and individuals of varied backgrounds; use sound judgment in decision-making with routine operations; research and compile applicable information, maintain accurate records, review documents and extract relevant information; prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; firmly and impartially coach and train staff; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; use initiative and independent judgment within existing procedural guidelines to successfully meet established goals and objectives.
Skills in: analyzing issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings to address issues and/or improve services, procedures, policies, and methods; communicating policies, regulations, procedures, and information; maintaining complete and accurate records; efficient and effective use of related equipment, tools, and techniques required to successfully perform the functions of the position; performing related reading, writing, and mathematical calculations; using independent judgment and personal initiative; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.