City of Kitchener Careers

Forestry Technologist

Competition Number

2024-532

Job Code

1198

Posting Date

December 17, 2024

Closing Date

January 17, 2025 (at 6:00pm)

Job Status

Permanent Full-Time

The City of Kitchener is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 292,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.

The City of Kitchener is WHERE you want to work! Learn more about the top reasons to join us:

Why work at the City of Kitchener

Responsibilities:

• Provides technical expertise (for e.g., to Development Services regarding tree preservation and planning plans, Engineering Dept related to road reconstruction etc.), public consultation, training, guidance and education to Managers, staff, Council, stakeholders and the public on urban forest health issues and practices on public and private lands, including, but not limited to, the preparation of public notices, alerts, public information sessions and other informational materials and ensures web site information remains current.
• Retrieves, monitors, and analyzes data related to urban forestry assets; shares and provides data to Supervisor, Manager and Director to support daily work planning, long term planning, business case development and special project implementation.
• Develops reports, create maps and generates organized information that is utilized in decision-making related to optimization of staff, equipment, and materials and in relation to workforce planning, performance measures, maintenance practices and annual operations program.
• Creates, manages, and populates work orders using internal work order system and works in the corporate GIS system to support day-day work planning and service delivery for the forestry maintenance team.
• Supports the City’s tree protection and preservation program as it relates to road reconstruction and other interdepartmental projects (e.g. Engineering led road projects) by working closely with internal stakeholders and external consultants to receive, review and comment on plans, and to monitor and assess program delivery including providing feedback and evaluation to enhance process improvement and achieve overall program goals.
• Receives and responds to customer inquiries and requests for information related to service delivery, contracted services, and annual work programs including tree planting, stump removals, invasive species, tree pests and other forestry matters.
• Provides training, mentoring and project related supervision to temp and contract staff.  
• Administers contracted Forestry projects including, but not limited to: on-site inspection; monitoring for policy/procedure and Ontario Health & Safety Act and Regulations; coordinating of work; taking appropriate action to correct contraventions; making recommendation for payment in accordance with corporate guidelines and to provide effective project implementation and cost control.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• 3-year degree or diploma in Forestry, Arboriculture, Environmental Studies, or an associated field.
• 2-4 years of related experience.
• Must be an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist in good standing and possess an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certification or be willing to obtain within a set period of time.
• Candidates that demonstrate direct experience in forestry projects within a municipal or similar setting preferred.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, and problem-solving skills including a project level understanding of and proficiency in using of GIS software and technologies.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have an MTO Class "G" driver's license in good standing and access to a personal vehicle for city business.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

The City of Kitchener is committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and to ensuring our workforce reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity deserving groups.

We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at [email protected], or 519-783-8081 to make your needs known, so that we can support your full and equal participation throughout the hiring process.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.

Please note that as per Human Resources Policy HUM-HIR-110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":

"The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, General Managers, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not be employed by the City in any capacity.

The immediate relatives of all other Management personnel shall not be employed where such employment would be:

1. within the same Department in the case of permanent full-time, temporary full-time and part-time classifications.

2. within the same Division in the case of students."

Department

Infrastructure Services

Division

Parks and Cemeteries

Union Affiliation

CUPE 791

Number of Positions

1

Hours of Work

35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location

Initial Location

Kitchener Operations Facility 

City

Kitchener

Compensation

Salary Range

$71,959 - $89,950 annually

Grade/Band

8 (under review)