Job Information
CITY OF BILLINGS URBAN FORESTRY IRA GRANT TECHNICIAN in BILLINGS, Montana
The City of Billings is seeking an Urban Forestry IRA Grant Technician to provide professional services to advance work to complete the specified deliverables while engaging the public and the media regularly to keep citizens apprised of project progress. To accomplish this, provide professional project management skill to collect and utilize a tree inventory to: 1) determine which of the existing trees should be retained or removed and which of the "retain" trees require immediate pruning, and 2) identify tree planting sites. Prepare and then oversee contracts for tree removals and tree pruning. Order trees of appropriate size and species. Prepare contracts for tree removals or coordinate with PRPL staff and others for volunteer projects where there is an option for these. This position's skill sets break out as: Project Management (60%), Community Engagement (25%) and Urban Forestry/Arboricultural Practice (15%). Community Engagement is essential to project success and will involve engaging with citizens and organized citizen groups across Billings in particular, those living in the Project Area to co-create desirable outcomes for urban forest development. This is a temporary position and once the grant funding stops the position will be terminated. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: - Review grant specifications to determine a work schedule that incorporates work done to date with remaining tasks. - Learn existing administrative procedures to engage contractors to accomplish work required. - Determine best method to acquire inventory tree and plantable spot inventory data. - Identify trees to be retained or removed in Project Area and implement a project accordingly. - Develop a planting plan and order trees to meet plan requirements. - Organize tree planting operations using contracted labor including volunteers. - Track project progress, maintain accurate records and provide timely reports on project accomplishments and budget. - Coordinate with City Forester to include IRA Grant Project Work into monthly Park Board agenda. - Present updates, invite discussion of project activities and solicit input or assistance as needed. - Organize educational events, workshops or community activities. - Develop social media platforms to communicate project activities. - Attend and present information at regular meetings of engaged citizen groups. - Maintain a list of tree species suitable for planting in Billings. - Be able to both explain and demonstrate proper tree planting techniques. - Maintain a list of nurseries. - Maintain a list of Tree Care Companies. Required Qualifications and Skills: - Bachelor's degree in Urban Forestry (preferred), Natural Resources Sciences (preferred) Business, Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, Non-Profit Management, Public Relations, or a related field. - Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, community organizing, urban forestry or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. - One (1) year of supervisory experience or work organizing volunteers or serving as a community organizer. - Intermediate knowledge of computer programs and software applications including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), social media management, governmental accounting, budgetary and purchasing standards and procedures, public administration and standard office practices. - Must have a current Montana driver's license or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment. - Strong interpersonal skills. Preferred Qualifications and Skills: - International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist or Society of American Foresters Urban Forestry Certification. Salary Range: $26.6094 - $35.6540 per hour. Salary reflects Step 1 and Step 7 of a 7-step pay scale. Salary at hiring will be dependent upon the applicant's education, experience, and training. Equal opportunity employer.