Listing Summary

The City of Norcross is looking for a full-time Arborist. The purpose of this position is to serve as the city’s Arborist and to evaluate, inspect, and maintain trees citywide, to review applications for tree removal, to review land disturbance plans and building plans for compliance with tree and landscaping regulations, and to ensure compliance with city ordinances including those related to tree conservation, buffers, and landscaping.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with related codes/ordinances, approved construction plans/permits, and other applicable federal, state, and local codes, laws, rules, regulations, specifications, standards, policies, and procedures
• Research code-related issues as needed; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations
• Reads and interprets plans, land development plans, blueprints, permits, or related documents.
• Reviews development plans and drawings, tree protection plans, and related documents in relation to tree preservation; verifies compliance of plans with tree preservation/protection ordinance; approves or disapproves tree plans as appropriate; discusses problem areas and corrective actions with applicants
• Reviews applications for tree removal and ensures compliance with requirements of the city’s tree ordinances as well as provides support to the Norcross Tree Preservation Board on tree preservation matters in addition to providing educational opportunities for residents.
• Ensures full compliance with permit conditions, approve construction plan/specifications, contract requirements, applicable codes and standards for city, state and federal regulations
• Determines the nature of potential violations; issues citations and provide Municipal
• Court with documentation and testimony as required
• Interacts and communicates with agencies, staff and individuals on various tree-related topics; provides interpretations and assistance with code definitions; responds to reports of alleged ordinance or code violations; advises the appropriate parties on requirements; meets with supervisor on various projects
• Maintains a log of payments made into and payments made from the city’s tree fund.
• Works with other city departments and agencies to resolve issues as needed.
• Evaluates complaints, conducts inspections to support investigations and resolution
• Performs site inspections to ensure compliance; notes code violations; conducts landscaping inspections for compliance and applicable codes.
• Conducts site inspections during all construction stages to ensure compliance with approved plans relating to tree protection and tree replacement; evaluates condition/health of trees; determines hazardous conditions involving trees; conducts compliance inspections of commercial properties one year after completion of construction
• Responds to citizen inquiries and concerns regarding potential tree ordinance violations and takes corrective actions when necessary.
• Inspects trees for safety, clearance, and visibility purposes.
• Reviews tree protection plans during the permitting process for compliance with city ordinances.
• Inventories trees using computer applications including GIS.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement maintenance and repair programs for tree inventorying, maintenance, and removal.
• Participates in administrative staff meetings and attends other meetings and seminars as requested.
• Provides feedback on all maintenance and/or performance bonds associated with land development sites
• Prepare reports, forms, citations, and other regulatory enforcement information, and document information in the City’s databases.
• Assists others in departments with various research projects and/or special projects as requested.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Two (2) years of experience working as an arborist; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job.
• Must possess the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification upon hire.
• Must obtain the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) within six (6) months of hire.
• Experience with arborist services and knowledge of tree and forestry related issues. The ideal candidate should have a combination of arboricultural and/or forestry experience.
• Proficiency with MS Office computer applications.
• Exceptional written and spoken English, using good grammar and spelling.
• Ability to interact professionally and calmly with contractors, citizens, vendors, fellow employees, and others at all times.
• Ability to read and interpret site surveys, site plans, tree plans, ordinances, and other related documents.
• Must possess a valid Georgia Driver's License.
• Must have at least five (5) years of good driving history.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction, forestry, or a related field.
• Have a solid understanding of civil engineering, standard construction practices, material,
• Have an understanding of soils, trees and plant types.
• Knowledge of land development and environmental planning.
• Possession of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) upon hire.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of the job, employee is often in the field within the city limits. Employee typically handles office equipment, objects, or controls and frequently communicates with others. Moderate physical exertion is present because of physically walking sites, entering, and exiting a motor vehicle.
• Some climbing, stooping, and kneeling will be required. Employee will walk, sit, and/or stand for long periods of time and may lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and to perform tasks involving manual dexterity, such as use of a computer.
• Work may at times require more than 8 hours per day or require irregular hours to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Will require travel between facilities or to external sites and agencies.

Work Environment:

• While performing the responsibilities of the Arborist job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment he/she will encounter:
• Time on the job will be spent partially outside in the field at job sites throughout the City.
• Travel will be required between job sites, facilities, and to external agencies or other locations.
• Noise levels will vary by job site and location.
• Lighting and temperature will vary based upon seasons, time of day, and other factors.
• Employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The employee may be required to work evenings, early morning, or weekend hours depending on workload factors in addition to normally scheduled work hours.

Salary: Min $54,539.18 - Mid $70,900.94 - Max $87,262.69 Annually (Based upon qualifications/experience).

Interested applicants must submit a letter of interest and updated resume to hr@norcrossga.net  

EOE/DFW.