Job Description

Overview

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The City of Pacific Grove welcomes applications for Urban Forester.

The Community of Pacific Grove

Sharing borders with the Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach, and the City of Monterey, Pacific Grove combines an unparalleled quality of life with an ambience of charm, grace, and beauty. Located on the very tip of the scenic, tree-shrouded Monterey Peninsula, Pacific Grove boasts a beautiful, fully accessible coastline. The community encompasses a total of less than three square miles, with more than 3.5 miles of beaches, rocky outcroppings, and shoreline parks. Primarily a residential community, Pacific Grove has a population of 15,698 and over 1,300 registered historic homes and other structures.

Founded in the 1870s as a Methodist summer retreat, Pacific Grove continues to bear the look and feel of yesteryear. The original retreat area remains, with homes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of Pacific Grove's homes reflect a vintage style, diverse architecture, and individuality. Among the historic buildings in Pacific Grove are stately Victorian mansions, many of which have been converted into bed and breakfast inns. Annual special events showcase Pacific Grove's historic homes and inns, including the Victorian Home Tour and Christmas at the Inns. In addition, a variety of annual festivities

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such as the Good Old Days and the Butterfly Parade

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celebrate the community's history.

Besides its scenic beauty and idyllic neighborhoods, Pacific Grove has five shopping districts including an eclectic downtown experience with small boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, antique stores, and restaurants. Other vibrant shopping areas are located throughout the community, including a Certified Farmer's Market offering local fare.

Point Pinos is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast as its beacon has flashed nightly since 1855 as a guide and warning to ships off the rocky California coast. The Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station was founded in 1892 as the first marine laboratory on the west coast of North America, and faculty offer undergraduate and graduate courses in a variety of oceanic and marine sciences.

Lovers Point Park and beach is a 4.4-acre landscaped community park used for picnicking, fishing, swimming, water sports, and surfing. Asilomar State Beach offers beach and coast trail walks past the Marine Reserve, a short boardwalk loop through the Natural Dune Preserve, and overnight room lodging and conference facilities.

Golfers have a unique opportunity to play a scenic 18-hole course at the oceanfront Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links. Others may explore the City's award-winning Natural History Museum. Not only does Pacific Grove offer breathtaking views combined with a variety of recreational and cultural activities, but the City provides excellent public safety services; the City has one of the lowest crime rates in Monterey County; and a small-town hospitality and friendliness in a place that locals call simply "P.G."

The City Organization

Incorporated in 1889, Pacific Grove is a Charter City and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The seven-member City Council appoints a City Manager, City Attorney, and members of the City's advisory boards and commissions. City amenities include a historic Carnegie public library, natural history museum, community center, youth center, senior center, an 18-hole golf course, cemetery, butterfly habitat preserve, shoreline recreation trails, and numerous parks. Departments within the city organization include the City Manager's Office (including the City Clerk and Human Resources), Administrative Services (including Finance, Risk Management, and Information Services), Library, Community Development (including Building & Safety, Housing and Code Enforcement), Public Works (including Recreation), and Police. City Attorney, Fire services and golf course operations are provided on contract.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this management position is $90,057 - $123,073plus a 3% management incentive (3% x base salary), placement in this range depends on qualifications and experience. A 3% cost of living adjustment is scheduled in July of this year pending approval of a salary ordinance by City Council.
The City also offers an attractive comprehensive benefits package.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Leticia Livian, Human Resources Director at 831-648-3171 or email, llivian@cityofpacificgrove.org.

This is newly created position.

*Salary is pending second read of an ordinance by City Council on 3/5/2025.

Classification Description

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Under general supervision of the Public Works Director, administers a comprehensive program for preserving and enhancing city trees and urban and community forests. Oversees the permitting process for trees on private property in the City of Pacific Grove, in accordance with city ordinances, policies, and goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Serves as City's Urban Forester; provides public outreach, technical information, and community participation programs; addresses public concerns and questions, and explains City codes and policies. Enforces City ordinances and policies governing arboriculture and urban forestry programs, including tree preservation practices, street tree planting, and tree removal and replacement; reviews and approves special requests and project plans, and inspects projects as needed. Administers the City's tree permit process, receiving public and private applications, reviewing all submitted information, and determining the outcome of the application. Administers City ordinances and policies relating to arboricultural and urban forestry practices. Confers with architects, developers, contractors, and utility companies to discuss City programs and projects, and tree preservation techniques. Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures, identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends changes. Prunes city-owned street trees for long-term health. May supervise technical, maintenance, and clerical staff. Provides professional evaluations and reports as appropriate; manages contracts as assigned. Actively manages urban resources to help the City become more sustainable by reducing the negative impacts on the ecosystem from urban development. Coordinates conservation issues with other departments, community groups, and regional agencies; attends public meetings and presents information on urban forestry issues; interprets and explains City codes, policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Reviews and prepares environmental compliance documents. Administers urban forestry grants to meet the goals of the City; develops plans and activities in compliance with state and federal regulations, and City codes, policies, and procedures. Supports the relationship between the City of Pacific Grove and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Typical Qualifications

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Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Bachelor's Degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Earth Sciences or closely related field; AND four years of forest program experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist by the ISA certificate desirable.

Knowledge of:

City policies and procedures. Federal and state regulations and City codes governing urban forestry programs. Principles of community development, and permitting. Principles, practices, and procedures for effective urban forestry management. Procedures and techniques of tree trimming and removal. Characteristics, growth habits, and care of trees, plants, and shrubs indigenous to the area. Methods of disease identification and control in trees, plants, and shrubs. Grant application process, and operational and financial rules for grant programs. Project planning and management principles Principles of record keeping, records management, and contract management

Skill in:

Analyzing urban forestry issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations. Interpreting and applying state and federal regulations, and City codes and policies. Developing, interpreting, and communicating policies, procedures, and objectives. Plan, organize, and direct comprehensive urban forest, parks, and preservation maintenance prigrams. Administer contract services. Enforcing standards and regulations with tact and diplomacy, and applying tree appraisal techniques. Researching and analyzing the factors and components affecting community planning projects. Collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data and information. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers. Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Supplemental Information

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LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A valid California State Driver's License is required to drive City vehicles. ISA Certification within 1 year of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a standard office environment and outdoors at work sites throughout the City.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be willing to attend evening or weekend meetings and/or critical events and activities, as appropriate. This position has a critical role for the City in the preparation for, during, and in recovery from physical disasters and other emergency incidents. Must take an Oath of Office. As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The City of Pacific Grove does not participate in Social Security. * The duration of the eligibility list is 14 months unless abolished by Human Resources. Eligibility lists established from this recruitment may be used for full-time, part-time and limited term positions.