Urban Forestry Program Manager
2 days ago
Newark
Urban Forestry Program Manager \n \n Position Summary \n \n The City of Newark is seeking an experienced and dynamic Urban Forestry Program \n Manager to lead the City's comprehensive urban forestry program and oversee the Tree \n Operations Unit. Reporting to the Chief Sustainability Officer, this leadership position is \n responsible for developing, implementing, and managing Newark's urban forestry initiatives to \n restore, expand, protect, and maintain the City's tree canopy while advancing climate resilience, \n environmental justice, public safety, and neighborhood beautification. \n \n The Urban Forestry Program Manager provides strategic leadership for tree planting, \n maintenance, preservation, permitting, inspections, contractor oversight, emergency response, \n and community engagement. This position works collaboratively across City departments, \n utilities, contractors, nonprofit organizations, and residents to ensure that Newark's urban forest \n is effectively managed and integrated into planning, infrastructure improvements, and \n sustainability initiatives. \n \n The successful candidate will combine technical arboricultural expertise with strong leadership, \n project management, budgeting, grant administration, and public engagement skills. \n \n Essential Duties and Responsibilities \n \n Urban Forestry Program Administration \n • Oversee the City's Tree Operations Unit, including field personnel, contractors, \n consultants, and seasonal staff. \n • Develop and implement Newark's Community Forest Management Plan and Community \n Forestry Master Plan. \n • Establish short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to expand and preserve the City's tree \n canopy while supporting climate resilience, stormwater management, air quality \n improvement, and environmental justice goals. \n • Develop annual work plans, performance metrics, and operational priorities. \n • Requisition, procure, and oversee equipment, materials, and supplies required for urban \n forestry operations. \n \n Tree Planting, Preservation, and Maintenance \n • Plan and oversee citywide tree planting initiatives, including the selection of appropriate \n species based on site conditions, biodiversity, infrastructure compatibility, climate \n resilience, soil conditions, and long-term maintenance needs. \n • Coordinate all phases of tree planting projects, including site selection, design, planting, \n establishment, and maintenance. \n • Direct and supervise tree pruning, removal, planting, transplanting, fertilization, \n watering, cabling, pest management, and other arboricultural activities. \n • Conduct and oversee inspections to evaluate tree health, structural integrity, insect and \n disease issues, and public safety concerns. \n • Develop preventive maintenance schedules and risk mitigation strategies. \n • Respond to hazardous tree conditions and coordinate emergency response following \n storms and other natural events. \n • Supervise utility tree clearance activities and coordinate with utility providers to ensure \n compliance with industry standards and municipal requirements. \n Tree Permitting, Compliance, and Development Review \n • Administer the City's Tree Work Permit Program. \n • Review and approve permits for tree pruning, removal, construction activities, and \n development projects affecting public trees. \n • Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Public Works, Parks, Code Enforcement, and \n other departments to ensure tree preservation standards are incorporated into \n development projects. \n • Assist in the development and implementation of municipal tree ordinances, policies, \n standards, and best management practices. \n • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing urban forestry \n activities. \n \n Project Management, Grants, and Contract Administration \n • Develop project scopes, specifications, requests for proposals, and bid documents. \n • Manage consultant and contractor performance through inspections, quality assurance, \n and contract compliance. \n • Review invoices and authorize contractor payments. \n • Identify and pursue grant funding opportunities to expand Newark's forestry initiatives. \n • Administer federal, state, and private grants, including budgeting, reporting, compliance, \n reimbursement requests, and performance tracking. \n • Monitor project schedules, deliverables, expenditures, and program outcomes. \n \n Data Management and Technology \n • Maintain comprehensive tree inventories and asset management systems. \n • Utilize GIS, GPS, i-Tree, and other urban forestry software to support planning, \n inventory management, analysis, and reporting. \n • Prepare reports, dashboards, maps, presentations, and performance metrics. \n • Analyze canopy coverage, planting priorities, tree health trends, and program \n effectiveness using data-driven decision-making. \n Community Engagement and Education \n • Develop and implement public education programs promoting tree stewardship and urban \n forestry best practices. \n • Coordinate volunteer tree planting events and community engagement initiatives. \n • Build partnerships with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, utilities, \n neighborhood organizations, and governmental agencies. \n • Represent the City at public meetings, community events, conferences, and professional \n organizations. \n • Respond to inquiries from residents, elected officials, and stakeholders regarding urban \n forestry programs. \n Leadership and Supervision \n • Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for Tree \n Operations Unit staff. \n • Establish work priorities, assign projects, and monitor operational performance. \n • Foster a collaborative, safety-focused, and customer-service-oriented work environment. \n • Ensure compliance with applicable safety regulations, industry standards, and City \n policies. \n \n Additional Responsibilities \n • Prepare correspondence, technical reports, budget documents, and presentations. \n • Maintain accurate records, files, and operational documentation. \n • Support emergency management operations as required. \n • Perform other related duties as assigned. \n \n Minimum Qualifications \n • Bachelor's degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Urban Forestry, Horticulture, \n Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Landscape Management, or a related field \n preferred. \n • Minimum of three years of experience in urban forestry, arboriculture, tree inspection, or \n municipal tree management \n • Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. \n • ISA Certified Arborist required within six (6) months of appointment if not \n currently held \n \n Preferred Experience \n • Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in urban forestry, municipal \n forestry, arboriculture, natural resource management, or a related field. \n • At least two (2) years of supervisory or management experience preferred. \n • Master's degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Public Administration, Environmental \n Management, or related field \n • Experience managing municipal tree inventories using GIS and asset management \n software \n • Experience administering federal or state grants \n • Experience with public procurement and contract administration \n \n Preferred Qualifications, Certifications and Licenses \n • ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) \n • ISA Municipal Specialist \n • New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert \n • Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP) \n \n Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities \n • Knowledge of tree biology, species identification, pests, diseases, and structural defects \n common to the northeastern United States. \n • Knowledge of urban forestry practices, tree planting, pruning, removal, preservation, pest \n management, and risk assessment. \n • Familiarity with New Jersey tree regulations and municipal operations is preferred. \n • Knowledge of applicable OSHA standards, ANSI A300 standards, Z133 safety standards, \n and relevant federal, state, and local regulations. \n • Knowledge of municipal budgeting, purchasing, procurement, and contract \n administration. \n • Strong project management and organizational skills. \n • Experience supervising field operations and multidisciplinary teams. \n • Ability to interpret engineering, construction, and landscape plans. \n • Ability to analyze technical issues and develop practical solutions. \n • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. \n • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, GIS software, GPS technology, i-Tree, and other \n forestry management software. \n • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, \n employees, contractors, community organizations, and residents. \n \n Working Conditions \n Work is performed in both office and outdoor environments. The position may involve walking \n long distances over uneven terrain, lifting up to 50 pounds, and operating a motor vehicle \n throughout the City. The position regularly requires exposure to varying weather conditions, \n construction sites, traffic, noise, dust, chemicals, heavy equipment, and uneven terrain. The \n Urban Forestry Program Manager may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and \n emergency response assignments during severe weather events or other emergencies. \n \n Excellent benefits package in accordance with City of Newark policies and applicable collective \n bargaining agreements. \n \n This is a Civil Service Job and you must eventually pass and qualify for the applicable Civil \n Service title. \n \n Please note that this role is subject to Newark residency requirements within six months of \n beginning the position. \n \n The position will be open until it is filled.