Position Summary:Reporting to the Manager of Parks and Trails, the Urban Forestry and Natural Assets Coordinator provides technical expertise and coordinates the management of the Town's trees, woodlands, natural assets, and horticulture through inspections, stewardship planning, development review, project implementation, and operational support.
The position is responsible for supporting the health, sustainability, and enhancement of municipal trees, forests, natural areas, parks, trails, boulevards, streetscapes, and other Town-owned lands through arboricultural assessment, woodland stewardship, natural asset management, and horticultural best practices.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:Strategic Planning- Assist in 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. Participate with the Manager of Parks and Trails to oversee the hazardous tree 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 related to tree preservation and removals.
- 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. 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.
- Coordinate tree assessment, identification, inspection, and management activities on Town-owned lands, including parks, trails, boulevards, streetscapes, open spaces, and other municipal properties.
- Conduct or coordinate tree condition assessments and provide recommendations regarding preservation, pruning, treatment, replacement, and removal.
- Assess tree health, structure, defects, maintenance requirements, and risk factors using accepted arboricultural practices.
- Review development applications, tree inventories, arborist reports, tree preservation plans, and landscape plans and provide recommendations regarding tree protection, compensation, and street tree planting requirements.
- Respond to tree-related enquiries, complaints, and service requests and provide technical recommendations.
- Provide technical advice regarding tree protection and management associated with municipal projects and infrastructure works.
Woodland Stewardship and Natural Asset Management- Maintain a tree inventory/work order management system for the urban forest. Support the development of a natural assets management and inventory 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 appropriate species, 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.
- Coordinate woodland stewardship activities on Town-owned woodlots, natural areas, trail corridors, and environmentally significant lands.
- As directed, prepare or coordinate Forest Stand Improvement Plans and other woodland management recommendations for Town-owned woodlots and forested areas.
- Coordinate invasive species management, vegetation management, ecological restoration, and naturalization initiatives.
- Monitor forest health, canopy condition, species diversity, and woodland regeneration opportunities.
- Maintain inventories and records related to natural assets, woodlands, and environmental features.
- Support implementation of natural asset management objectives and environmental stewardship initiatives.
Parks Trails and Open Space 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.
- Assist in coordinating Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan initiatives related to natural assets, urban forestry, horticulture, naturalization, environmental stewardship, and landscape enhancement.
- Assist in coordinating park, trail, open space, landscape restoration, and environmental enhancement projects.
- Provide technical input into the planning, enhancement, and maintenance of seasonal plantings, gardens, planters, streetscapes, and other horticultural displays on Town-owned lands.
- Assist with the development and implementation of horticultural standards, planting plans, maintenance practices, and landscape enhancement initiatives for parks, trails, municipal facilities, and public spaces.
- Support the integration of urban forestry, woodland stewardship, natural asset, and horticultural objectives into parks, trails, and open space planning and operations.
Other - 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.
What you will need:- ISA Certified Arborist
- Degree or diploma in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Environmental Management, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Parks Management, Planning, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in arboriculture, urban forestry, woodland stewardship, natural asset management, parks operations, horticulture, or a related municipal environment.
- Experience conducting tree inspections and preparing recommendations regarding preservation, maintenance, risk mitigation, and removal.
- Experience reviewing tree inventories, arborist reports, landscape plans, and development applications.
- Knowledge of urban forestry, arboriculture, woodland stewardship, invasive species management, ecological restoration, horticulture, and natural asset management principles.
- Experience working with contractors, consultants, community groups, regulatory agencies, and municipal staff.
- Experience in strategic planning, policy development, or municipal forestry programs.
- Registered Professional Forester Designation is considered an asset
- Possess ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) and/or 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.
- Knowledge of 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.
- 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.
- Additional qualifications in forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture, ecology, or natural resource management considered assets.
What we offer:This is a full-time permanent opportunity to fill a new vacancy at the Town. The annual salary range for this role is $76,666.40 - $89,700.25 (2026 rate). The Town also offers the following to our employees:
- Perks & Discounts
- Wellness Programs
- Health & Dental Benefits * fu
