Job Details

Vegetation Program Specialist I/II
Go to our website »

Position Number: 5796007
Location: San Jose, CA
Position Type: Agriculture - Environmental Science, Ecology & Forestry

Vegetation Program Specialist I/II

Valley Water

Salary: See Position Description

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 01837-E

Location: CA, CA

Department: Watersheds Operations and Maintenance

Closing: 11/24/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Vegetation Program Specialist I: $118,331.20 - $151,444.80 Annually
Vegetation Program Specialist II: $130,540.80 - $167,211.20 Annually
Overview:Do you love trees and working with the public? Are you an arborist? Valley Water is looking for a Vegetation Program Specialist to join our Vegetation Field Operations Unit and take on arborist duties. This position will be responsible for tree risk assessments and coordinating associated tree work, customer service related to tree requests, and managing the routine maintenance pruning program. Come be part of a dynamic team responsible for vegetation maintenance in many riparian areas throughout Santa Clara County.

Our Commitment:
Racial equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to Valley Water. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity, contributes to inclusion, and strengthens belonging by broadening our perspective and collective understanding of the world around us to accomplish our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San Jose, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Performing site visits and tree risk assessments, quantifying work to be performed and estimating impacts of work.
Managing routine maintenance pruning program for access along Valley Water maintenance roads and fence line paths
Responding to customer concerns using Access Valley Water System; consultations with customers on-site.
Collecting tree inventory data using GPS applications and associated GIS tools.
Tree work coordination between contractors and the public as needed, oversight of contractors and reconciling invoices.
Emergency response to tree related issues on Valley Water properties. Coordination of internal or contracted staff to address tree related emergencies.
Preparation of work orders, photo documentation, maps, technical reports, and associated documents.
Assist with obtaining regulatory permits for tree work.
Quarterly reporting and database management for Vegetation projects; reports work accomplished, and weekly schedules of work to be performed.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Vegetation Program Specialist I: Three (3) years of experience in integrated vegetation management, ecological restoration, horticulture, arboriculture, forestry, or field maintenance planning.
Vegetation Program Specialist II: Five (5) years of experience in integrated vegetation management, ecological restoration, horticulture or arboriculture or silviculture, Two (2) years of lead experience.
Experience utilizing GPS and GIS.
Experience using Maximo and Oracle database systems or similar.
Program development and lead experience a plus.
Arborist Certificate from International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

Strong project and data management skills in administering complex, technical, and sensitive vegetation field operations projects in an independent and cooperative manner.
Evaluate and develop improvements to vegetation field operations procedures, policies, or methods.
Conduct complex vegetation field operations research, assess, and evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
Establish and maintain a variety of vegetation field operations filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
Organize and prioritize a variety of vegetation field operations, projects, and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
Interpret federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, including California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Quality Act and partner with Regulatory Agencies.
Effectively communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Excellent customer service skills.
Must be able to work well independently and with a multi-disciplinary team, both in person and through teleworking platforms

Ideal Knowledge:

General principles, practices, techniques, and equipment related to vegetation field operations and maintenance projects.
Knowledge of plants, trees, and wildlife native and non-native to Santa Clara County.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Quality Act and applicable environmental regulations pertaining to Federal, State, and local laws.

Ideal Training and Education:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biology, botany, horticulture, forestry, silviculture, environmental sciences, natural sciences, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Vegetation Program Specialist I:

Must be able to obtain a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Categories C & F issued by the State of California's Department of Pesticide Regulation within 12 months of hire.

Vegetation Program Specialist II:

Possession of a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Categories C & F issued by the State of California's Department of Pesticide Regulation at the time of hire.
A valid Agricultural Pest Control Adviser License (in Category E) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, within 12 months of hire

A valid certification as an Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture upon appointment and a valid Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) credential within 12 months of hire.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here (Download PDF reader)

Vegetation Field Operations Unit (Position Code 717)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/4721672/vegetation-program-specialist-i-ii