Job Description

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in the nation’s 13th largest city, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visit  . 

The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill multiple vacancies for the Assistant Arborist position.

The City of San Jose Department of Transportation (DOT) is recruiting for highly motivated, technically skilled, public/community service-minded individuals to serve as the Assistant Arborist. This position performs work of routine difficulty in assisting with the coordination and implementation of the City's Street Tree, Maintenance Assessment Districts, and Median Landscape Programs. The Assistant Arborist is responsible for the daily supervision of technicians, developing and implementing policies and practices that advance the goals of the City's Community Forest Strategic Framework and ensuring compliance with the sections of the City's Municipal Code as it relates to street trees and hardscapes in the public right-of-way. The Assistant Arborist works closely with internal management, administrative, inspection, engineering, and maintenance staff, and has extensive engagement with the public and many other stakeholders.

Key tasks and responsibilities include:

• Assists in planning, developing and coordinating the preparation of City trees, park strip and maintenance contracts.
• Assists in the planning, developing and coordinating of the City's Trees Park strip Programs for median landscaping, and insect and disease control, including landscape assessment district programs.
• Coordinates landscape and tree trimming activities with appropriate City Departments and other public agencies (i.e. PG&E and CALTRANS).
• Consults with public and private contractors on landscape tree and median island maintenance projects.
• Assists in handling citizen service requests regarding tree and landscape problems.
• Responds to inquiries regarding tree and landscape problems from citizens and from other City departments.
• Administers routine contractual work on trimming and removing trees.
• Prepares contracts for subdivision tree planting, trimming of young and mature trees, replacement tree planting and tree and stump removal.
• Develops and manages budgets for various sections within DOT.
• Spanish speaking is highly preferred.

Education: Successful completion of course work in arboricultural, ornamental horticulture, landscape architecture, urban forestry, parks management, or related fields. 

Experience:  Two (2) years of experience in municipal or similar tree planting and maintenance or landscape programs. 

License/Certifications:  Possession of a valid State of California’s driver’s license is required. Selected candidates will be required to submit a DMV Release of Driver Record Information form at the time of conditional offer and will be enrolled in the DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program. Refusal to do so will be considered withdrawing from the recruitment process.

Form 700 Requirement This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

•   Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

• Constructive Energies : A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliability, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others

• Analytical Thinking : Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

• Building Trust : Communicates an understanding of the other person's interests, needs and concerns; identifies and communicates shared interests and goals; identifies and communicates differences as appropriate; demonstrates honesty, keeps commitments and behaves in an appropriate manner.

• Computer Skills:  Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.

• Customer Service:  Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

• Decision Making:  Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

• Fiscal Management:  Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

• Planning: Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

• Problem Solving:  Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

• Social Awareness:  Demonstrates the ability to read or sense other people’s emotions and how they influence the situation of interest or concern; demonstrates empathy and organizational awareness.

• Supervision:  Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

• Technology Use/Management : Uses efficient and cost-effective approaches to integrate technology into the workplace and improve program effectiveness.

Selection Process:   

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. 

If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Keana Castillo at keana.castillo@sanjoseca.gov .

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