Environmental Technician – Arboriculture

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Technician – Arboriculture which involves administrative and technical work in planning and coordinating arboricultural work related to the New Westminster Tree Protection and Regulation Bylaw (the Tree Bylaw). You will support the City’s urban forestry engagement initiatives to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of the value and benefits of the urban forest in the City as well as provide input on the City’s creation of development-related policies, procedures, and regulations from a tree perspective.

Reporting to the Urban Forestry Supervisor, as a Tree Bylaw team specialist, you will work with Parks & Recreation, Engineering Services, and other City departments in all matters relating to trees, the Bylaw, and bylaw enforcement. In reviewing development drawings, you will identify high-value trees for retention and preservation, or approve tree removals with replacement planting as it relates and contributes to the overall Urban Forest Management Strategy and the City’s Bold Step Initiative to provide a robust urban forest.

If many of the following characteristics and skills describe you, we want to meet you!

• You have a diploma in arboriculture; a degree in Urban Forestry or an arboriculture-related program is preferred.
• You are certified as an Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), or Industry Training Authority (ITA) Certification as a Field Arborist Technician, and hold the TRAQ credential for tree risk assessment from the International Society of Arboriculture is required
• You have sound experience in inspection and enforcement work or you have an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a municipal setting is an asset.
• You have considerable knowledge of tree protection regulations, policies, procedures, regulations and other related bylaws and laws.
• You are proficient in arboricultural and urban forestry principles, practices and techniques including tree risk assessment, and of tree species, diseases, pests and treatment methods.
• You have experience reading and interpreting scaled technical drawings such as landscape, architectural and related civil, electrical and structural engineering plans.
• You have the ability to prioritize and investigate complaints, to identify the nature of tree related problems, and enforce bylaws and regulations with tact, impartiality, firmness and use sound judgement.
• You are skilled in investigating Tree Bylaw infractions, gathering and documenting evidence, maintaining related records, interviewing witnesses, preparing and presenting evidence in adjudication processes and/or court, and working closely with enforcement staff and/or the City Solicitor to identify, assess, and implement appropriate courses of enforcement action which may include the issuance of tickets
• You have an ability to explain and interpret bylaws and regulations, to maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts, provide technical information and assistance, deal tactfully and courteously with others on contentious issues, and to employ contemporary service excellence principles at work.
• You have knowledge of the practices involved in municipal development, building and subdivision review processes.
• You have a knack for delivering presentations to development stakeholders and community members in regards to providing information and education on the Tree Bylaw and Permitting process and the Urban Forest Management strategy.
• You can effectively communicate viewpoints and recommendations orally and in writing and to prepare reports related to a variety of arboriculture/urban tree issues, concerns practices and procedures.
• You can work independently with minimal supervision.
• You are proficient in the use the Microsoft Office suite as well as GIS software and municipal permitting management software (i.e., Tempest).
• You have a valid Class 5 driver’s license and are willing and able to drive a City vehicle.
• You have the ability to pass and maintain a satisfactory Police Information Check.