Natural Resources Analyst

Position Description

If you consider yourself to be an urban forestry or arboriculture professional looking to contribute to keeping Tacoma’s tree canopy healthy, safe, and thriving, come be a part of our team! The City of Tacoma's Environmental Services Department is looking for a Construction Arborist (Natural Resources Analyst). The Construction Arborist will support City of Tacoma capital construction projects with tree assessments, planning, design, and inspections, to determine mitigation strategies to protect existing trees during construction where practicable, and to help assist with regulatory compliance. The position will perform technical arborist assessments including Tree Risk Assessments and will also supervise and advise construction in proximity to tree roots on active construction sites.
In addition, the Construction Arborist will provide direction to the City’s field arborist crew through developing the crew’s work plan, and overseeing tree pruning, removal, watering, planting, and maintenance tasks and scheduling. This position may also manage the City’s on-call contracts for arborist consultant services, as necessary.

The Construction Arborist will support the implementation of City codes and policies around urban forest management, including the Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC), Comprehensive Plan, Urban Forest Manual, Urban Forest Management Plan, Trees and Construction Operations Plan, and Right-of-Way Design Manual. The Construction Arborist will need to work towards a proficiency in the application of these policies and standards and may be required to research and recommend policy changes. They will also need to stay up to date on industry best practices, recommend tree-saving alternative construction methods, and manage the City’s Trees and Construction Operations Plan.

This position collaborates and interacts frequently with the public and other City staff including Environmental Services, Public Works, Planning and Development Services, other government agencies, and contractors.

Responsibilities Include:

• Arborist crew work planning: Manage tree inventory; determine maintenance tasks; create work orders; schedule and plan tree pruning, planting, removal, and maintenance work; provide on-site guidance to arborist crew.
• Capital construction tree consultation: Implement Trees and Construction Operations Plan; inventory existing trees within project limits and evaluate construction impacts; advise project managers, construction managers, inspectors, and contractors on appropriate tree protection methods; provide on-site supervision during excavation and construction.
• Capital project design and regulatory compliance: Assess capital projects for TMC requirements related to trees; provide design consultation; assist with construction document preparation; inspect trees for quality and ensure planting standard compliance; assist with post-planting tree inspections.
• Fee In-Lieu program coordination: Coordinate tree planting utilizing fees collected from development; coordinate planting and maintenance with property owners, stakeholders, and/or agencies; acquire needed materials; work with arborist crew to schedule planting and maintenance; track and report on progress.
• Asset management: Assist the City with asset management for trees; update tree inventory; find efficiencies in design and maintenance of the City’s urban forest; improve healthy urban tree canopy.
• Staff training: Assist with training staff on arboricultural standards and practices as they relate to construction and maintenance of trees.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management, archeology or other scientific field related to assignment

Minimum Experience*
2 years of professional level experience in environmental programs
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
First Aid and CPR certification within the first 6 months of employment
Washington State Driver's License

Desired, but not required to apply
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)
Herbicide applicator’s license and CESCL certification preferred.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
Positions in this class typically require:

• remaining in a stationary position for 90% of the time with occasional movement to access office files, machinery and similar productivity tools (standing, sitting, walking).
• constant operation of a computer, as well as use of a calculator, printer and similar office tools (fingering, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions).
• communication and the exchange of information with others (hearing, seeing, talking).
• occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (sedentary work).

Work may also occasionally require:

• movement around the workplace to pick up objects (stooping, walking, reaching).
• traversing, ascending or descending stairs, sloped terrain, or similar environments (climbing, balancing, walking).
• exerting up to 20 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (light work).

Knowledge & Skills

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• 2 years of professional level experience working with construction, including ability to read and interpret construction documents, plans, and specifications.

Experience with state, local, and/or federal permitting requirements and applicable laws.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received for interview consideration.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 7/8/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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