Urban Forestry Coordinator Save job Remove saved job

Located within the traditional land of the Anishnaabek, Haudenosaunee and Wendat-Wyandot-Wyandotte peoples, the Town of The Blue Mountains is a four-season community with stunning natural features, including the Niagara Escarpment, Beaver Valley and the Georgian Bay shoreline. Internationally recognized as a four-season tourism destination, The Blue Mountains offers a high-quality lifestyle that caters to families looking to build a solid foundation, adventurers looking to go off the beaten path and relaxation seekers taking in and experiencing the very best the area has to offer.

The Town is looking for people with a shared commitment to building a sustainable community, as well as shared values of integrity, inclusivity, excellence, accountability, and stewardship for the well-being of our residents.

Come gain a unique experience in the 2^nd fastest growing municipality in Canada!

Position Summary:

The Urban Forestry Coordinator is responsible for managing the Town’s urban forest management plan, with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration. This role is pivotal in developing and implementing the Urban Forest Management Plan, coordinating work and scheduling with operating department supervisors, forecasting budget requirements, establishing maintenance standards, and administering the urban forest inventory.

Additionally, the Urban Forestry Coordinator will develop policy recommendations and supportive procedures while managing and enhancing the urban forest, collaborating with department supervisors to complete work assignments pending Council strategy approval. As a leader in forestry and arboriculture initiatives, the Urban Forestry Coordinator is tasked with developing and maintaining programs, such as technical tree guidelines, hazard risk assessments, tree inventories, and invasive species control. The position entails overseeing and performing various arboricultural tasks and providing technical guidance and advice to Town staff, contractors, and homeowners. The primary focus areas are urban forestry and canopy management, along with forestry plan administration and related functions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of urban forestry strategic plans, master plans, and long-term policies.
• Collaborate with operating department supervisors to align work assignments with strategic objectives until the adoption of the strategy by Council.
• Conduct research and policy analysis related to tree canopy management, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
• Collaborate with internal departments, regional partners, and external stakeholders to align urban forestry strategies with broader municipal goals.
• Draft and update urban tree bylaws, protection policies, and planting standards in line with best practices and legislative requirements.
• Coordinate public and stakeholder consultations to gather input on forestry initiatives and policy development.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of urban forestry programs and recommend policy improvements.

Urban Forestry and Canopy Management

• Plan, organize, coordinate, oversee and conduct activities relating to urban forestry and arboriculture. Research best practices, climate change implications, and recommend the implementation of changes and improvements to existing programs to the Manager.
• Provide administrative and technical support to operating departments by coordinating work assignments and ensuring alignment with forestry management plans.
• Develop/maintain forestry/arboriculture technical tree guidelines, programs, and procedures, including a maintenance schedule. Develop workflows for internal processes and customer service.
• Manage the inventory of the urban forest, documenting tree species and their growth characteristics in the GIS system. Oversee the hazardous tree inventory and remediation program, tree planting and replacement programs, and invasive species control programs. Identify issues and assess the severity of repair/removal required, and make recommendations through a risk assessment.
• Responsible for comprehensive planning and implementation of various plant health care strategies to improve tree health and vigour, such as but not limited to, species selection and diversity, fertilization, pruning, cabling, root excavation, mulching, etc.
• Monitor and enhance the Town’s tree canopy. Continuously update the public tree inventory and monitor the variety of species within the canopy to promote native species diversity and avoid monoculture. Work with GIS staff to maintain data.
• Inspect, identify, and respond to hazardous situations that may impact public safety or damage to property, related to municipal trees. Provide technical advice/guidance and expertise on the Town’s forestry/arboriculture program to other Town staff, contractors, and homeowners/customers. Collaborate with utility companies to ensure minimal disruption to the tree canopy.
• Implement and initiate community education programs regarding forestry requirements and the Town’s tree canopy. Collaborate with the Communications division related to urban forest activities.
• Work collaboratively within own division and other divisions (e.g., Engineering, Planning, Public Works) as well as By-Law issues related to tree encroachment and requests/infractions related to removal/planting of trees.
• Prepare tree risk assessments and/or arborist reports when requested by Bylaw or other divisions.

Forestry Plan Administration

• Maintain a tree inventory/work order management system for the urban forest. Support the development of an asset management natural assets inventory and plan.
• Analyze, compose and update forestry policies, technical tree guidelines, levels of service standards for municipal activities and infrastructure, and implement tree-related policies/regulations (including consideration of federal, provincial, county, and municipal changes and collaboration).
• Prepare tenders, requests for proposals, and contract documents for forestry/arboriculture projects. Review permit submissions for compliance.
• Provide expertise through reviewing consultants’ reports during the land development process from the planning phase to the construction phase including recommending the right tree in the right place, tree canopy, tree protection, soil requirements, root pruning, tree compensation. Collaborate with engineering department regarding subdivision development guidelines and capital projects.
• Provide input with annual operating and capital budget submissions relating to forestry/arboriculture, provide cost estimates for projects.
• Provide input on a private tree management strategy.
• Respond to enquiries and complaints, maintain effective and cooperative liaison and exchange information related to forestry/arboriculture with stakeholders (e.g., community partners, other staff, Council, municipalities, government agencies/ministries, engineers, contractors, homeowners, legal counsel, other organizations, members of the public, etc.) in a courteous, friendly, and efficient manner to promote a high standard of customer service and public relations. Support customer service work order system to provide responses within expected service level timelines.
• Prepare/review policies and reports for Council/Committees of Council as required.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Act as a liaison between operating department supervisors and the urban forestry team to ensure work is carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Support operational departments with technical guidance, coordinating necessary adjustments to work priorities as needed.
• Facilitate meetings and communicate regularly with department supervisors to align on roles and responsibilities in urban forestry tasks.

Other Forestry-Related Functions

• Create and update forestry related health and safety standard operating procedures. Ensure health and safety compliance when working with staff and contractors.
• Interact with suppliers, contractors, and consultants to determine appropriate methods, procedures, and materials for various jobs. Coordinate contractors and review/document their performance related to tree removal, pruning, treatments, stumping, planting, and all other maintenance requirements.
• Coordinate work priorities to be delivered in a safe and operationally efficient manner. Attend work sites and contribute expertise when necessary in the inspections, trimming, pruning and removal of trees.
• Maintain an ongoing relationship with operating department supervisors to ensure seamless integration of urban forestry tasks and strategies.
• Work in compliance with the Highway Traffic Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS, applicable legislation, regulations, statutes and departmental policies/procedures/practices and operational guidelines.
• Promotes a high standard of customer service to the public as well as to all internal customers.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, that are in accordance with job responsibilities and/or necessary departmental or corporate objectives.

Hours of Work: Normal hours of work are thirty-five (35) hours per week, including attendance at evening and weekend meetings as scheduled. Normal shifts will be seven

(7) hours per day with a one (1) hour unpaid meal break and may include day, afternoon, evening, or weekend shifts. Flexibility in scheduling is necessary as there may be the occasional requirement to change shifts, adjust work hours, attend to functions outside of normal work hours or work overtime as needed.

What you will need:

• Degree in Urban Forestry, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, or related field.
• Experience in strategic planning, policy development, or municipal forestry programs.
• Full Registered Professional Forester Designation is considered an asset
• Possess ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). ISA Certified Municipal Arborist is considered an asset.
• Strong knowledge of urban tree management, climate resilience, and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in advanced office productivity software, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Experience with data analysis tools and presentation software.
• Competency in managing and querying database systems and familiarity with cloud-based services such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
• Advanced skills in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), with an emphasis on Esri ArcGIS and its applications in urban planning and tree inventory.
• Ability to conduct and apply thorough internet-based research for gathering relevant information and data.
• Experience with data visualization and analysis software such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Familiarity with GIS technology for tree inventory systems is an asset.
• Strong multitasking abilities with resilience under pressure, utilizing initiative and discretion while maintaining high personal integrity.

What we offer:

This is a new, full-time opportunity at the Town. The annual salary for this role is $82,884.17 – $96,968.69 (2025 Rate). The Town also offers the following to our employees:

• Perks & Discounts
• Wellness Programs
• Health & Dental Benefits * full-time & 12 month + contracts only
• OMERS
• Work / Life Flexibility
• Professional Development & Education Opportunities

The submission deadline for applications is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 23^rd, 2025.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), please advise the Human Resources Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Personal information provided by the applicants is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.