Tree Planting Coordinator

Position Information

The Parks and Recreations Department (DPR) is hiring a Tree Planting Coordinator to improve outdoor spaces for environmental sustainability, beautify neighborhoods, and ensure residents enjoyment throughout the community by planting approximately 900 trees per year around the County. The Tree Plant Coordinator will plan and coordinate the creation of forested and landscaped spaces within County-owned parks, streetscapes, gardens, facility grounds, and other public areas, including planning new landscape areas.

Specific duties include:

• Coordinating the tree planting programs by working collaboratively with other departments, landscaping operations crews, urban foresters, and contractors;

• Researching planting spaces and tree options to plant approximately 900 trees per year around the County;

• Conducting field inspections of trees and development sites to ensure compliance with County standards and evaluating tree and shrub conditions;

• Mapping, scheduling, and assigning landscape watering routes for landscaping crews;

• Tracking planting lists and ensuring availability of trees and plants planned for planting;

• Communicating with the community to inform, provide outreach, and ensure support regarding community landscaping related issues;

• Providing horticultural information and advice to staff and the public on green-industry best practices, design, and sustainable forests;

• Coordinating with partners on tree distribution programs to plant trees on private property;

• Planning and executing occasional volunteer tree planting projects; and

• Performing other job related duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

Minimum:

• Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Landscape Architecture, or a related field; and

• Some experience in urban landscape design, tree planting and maintenance, urban forestry, horticulture, arboricultural or a directly related area.

Substitution: Additional relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Working with contracting companies

• Managing projects;

• Implementing urban tree plans that are cost effective and viable;

• Communicating effectively to a variety of parties; and

• Using Microsoft Office and work order systems to track cost expenditures, manage inventory lists and work pipelines, scheduling, and/or drafting correspondence.

Possession of one or more of the following Certifications/Licenses is preferred;

• Certified Arborist;

• Certified Nursery Professional;

• Landscape Architect; and/or

• Applicable certification.

Special Requirements

Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid Driver License. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Work is performed throughout the Arlington Parks and includes working outdoors in all weather conditions.

A complete application will include the following. Please attach a cover letter or supplemental question response that describes your experience and accomplishments in any of the following areas:

• Community engagement;

• Contract management;

• Northern Virginia native trees;

• Data management; and

• Landscape design.

Working Conditions:

• The employee is subject to cold (below 32 degrees) for periods of more than one hour and/or temperatures above 90 degrees for periods of more than one hour, including other environmental conditions such as snow, rain, hail, wind, and humidity.

• The employee is subject to a variety of physical conditions and hazards, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, including exposure to high heat or chemicals.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday

• Friday, between 8:00 a.m.

• 5:00 p.m. Some weekend and evening hours are required. Employee must be available for callback in emergency situations or tree planting events.

The official job title is Landscape Specialist. The pay ranges listed above are effective June 30, 2024.

As an Employer of Choice, Arlington County offers a generous benefits package. For more information, click here.

Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

#LI-Onsite

Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.

The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email pers@arlingtonva.us.

Eligibility for Arlington County Government employee benefits depends on your position type (permanent or temporary) and your status (full-time or part-time).

More detailed information on benefits and conditions of employment is available on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.

Permanent, Full-Time Appointments

All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:

Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of five hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases gradually until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Paid parental and family leave benefits are also offered. Leave is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays: There are eleven paid fixed holidays each year, as well as two floating holidays. Initial allotment of floating holidays may vary based on when you are hired.

Health and Dental Insurance: Four group health insurance plans are offered - a health maintenance organization, two plans with in-network only coverage, and a high-deductible plan with in and out-of-network coveerage, along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Group dental insurance is also offered, with two options for coverage. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. The County also contributes to the HSA.

Life Insurance: Basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance may be purchased for yourself, spouse, and/or children.

Retirement: The County retirement program is made up of three parts: a defined benefit (pension) plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. The County also contributes to this plan. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service.

For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)). The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to save for retirement on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your pay. A variety of investment options are available for the 401(a) and 457 plans.

Other Benefits: The County also offers health care, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other benefits.

Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:

Part-time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.

Limited Term Appointments:

Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.

Temporary Regular Appointments:

Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:

Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.

01

What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree (or above)

02

Please check if you have experience in any of the following areas (be sure this experience is reflected on your application/resume):

• Urban landscape design

• Tree planting and maintenance

• Urban forestry

• Horticulture

• Arboriculture

• None

03

Please check if you have experience in any of the following areas (be sure this experience is reflected on your application/resume):

• Working with Contracting Companies

• Using work order systems

• Tracking cost expenditures

• Managing inventory lists and work pipelines

• Implementing urban tree plans that are cost effective and viable

• Scheduling work

• Drafting Correspondence

• Managing Projects

• None

04

Do you have any of the following certifications?

• Certified Arborist

• Certified Nursery Professional

• Landscape Architect

• Other Relevant Certification(s)

• None

05

Please use the space provided below (or attach a cover letter) to describe any of your experience and accomplishments in the following areas: • Community engagement; • Contract management; • Northern Virginia native trees; • Data management; and/or • Landscape design.

Required Question

Agency Arlington County

Address 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 511

Arlington, Virginia, 22201

Phone 703-228-3500

Website https://careers.arlingtonva.us/