Urban Forestry & Natural Asset Coordinator

Position Details

• Location: The Blue Mountains
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Engagement Type: Permanent
• Department: Parks & Recreation
• Work Location: On-Site
• Category: Environment & Sustainability
• Subcategory: Natural Systems & Forestry
• Job Level: Specialist / Professional

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

• 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.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, oversee and conduct activities relating to urban forestry and arboriculture.
• Research best practices, climate change implications, and recommend implementation of changes and improvements to existing programs.
• Provide administrative and technical support to operating departments by coordinating work assignments aligned with forestry management plans.
• Develop and maintain forestry/arboriculture technical tree guidelines, programs, procedures, and maintenance schedules.
• 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 remediation program, tree planting and replacement programs, and invasive species control programs in partnership with the Manager of Parks and Trails.
• Identify and assess the severity of tree repairs/removals and make recommendations related to preservation and removals.
• Plan and implement plant health care strategies to improve tree health and vigour.
• Monitor and enhance the Town’s tree canopy, promoting native species diversity and maintaining updated public tree inventory data.
• Inspect, identify, and respond to hazardous situations impacting public safety or causing property damage related to municipal trees.
• Provide technical advice and expertise on the Town’s forestry/arboriculture program to staff, contractors, and homeowners.
• Collaborate with utility companies to minimize disruption to the tree canopy.
• Implement community education programs regarding forestry requirements and the Town’s tree canopy.
• Work collaboratively with divisions including Engineering, Planning, Public Works, and By-Law on tree-related matters.
• Prepare tree risk assessments and arborist reports as requested.
• Coordinate tree assessment, identification, inspection, and management activities on Town-owned lands.
• Conduct or coordinate tree condition assessments providing recommendations on 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 to provide recommendations on tree protection, compensation, and street tree planting requirements.
• Respond to tree-related enquiries, complaints, and service requests.