Landscape Technician I Full-time Job

Looking for a great place to work? A place where our culture means safety, respect, quality and excellence and putting our customer’s interests ahead of our own? Then think City of Edmonton - City Operations.

The Landscape Technician I with Urban Forestry is, in its simplest form, a passionate protector of the urban forest. In this role, you will lend your expertise in all things arboricultural to contractors, citizens and other work areas within the City of Edmonton to ensure compliance with City standards wherever the urban forest may be affected. You will succeed in this role if you can manage your time and tasks well, and have the ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of different work units.

The Landscape Technicians hired will be responsible for supporting Forestry within its main working units - Planting, Pruning, Community, Projects. These working units are briefly summarized below:

Planting Forestry:

As a Landscape Technician hired into a role with the Planting Forestry team, you will assist with coordinating open space and boulevard tree planting,  overseeing contract tree work (may include tree watering, planting or other tree work), and supporting urban forestry in many other areas.

Pruning Forestry:

As a Landscape Technician hired into a role with the Pruning Forestry team, your position will focus on assisting the pruning team’s Landscape Technician II. Inspecting the quality of both in house and contract tree maintenance activities. Duties with this position will include responding to inquiries from citizens, overhead utility tree pruning conflicts, pruning inspections, stump grinding inspections and supporting other teams within urban forestry.

Community Forestry:

The Community Forestry team is focused on providing educational and engaging opportunities for Edmontonians to learn more about the benefits of the urban forest and to take part in stewardship activities and planting opportunities. This team also oversees the GIS tree inventory and condition assessment of Edmonton’s open space and boulevard tree inventory.

Project Forestry:

The Project team are primarily consultants for projects impacting City Trees. Through tree valuations, evaluations, construction projects and design reviews, Urban Forest Technicians provide expertise in working around trees from the design processes through to construction completion. This includes working with other groups to develop and implement construction plans to consider all tree protection/preservation requirements. This team administers the Corporate Tree Management Policy (C456C) and Public Tree Permit.

Each of these units oversees a variety of tasks, including the duties listed below. As an advocate of the urban forest, you will perform a mix of the following:

• Collect data in the field, including tree measurements and assessments, required for potential projects that take place around trees
• Assess tree condition and collect data on City trees in GIS software
• Review landscape drawings and maps to determine tree ownership
• Assist with various projects which may include recommendations and tree evaluations for monetary value
• Coordinate contractor work to ensure compliance with City standards and agreements, while advising and/or resolving any discrepancies on the work
• Conduct field inspections and assess the progress and completion of contracted tree work
• Conduct tree assessment and gather information required for completing of police reports and claims
• Ensure compliance with safety and ENVISO requirements
• Assist with the administration of the Corporate Tree Management Policy (C456C) as outlined in its procedures, and track and report any damages to tree assets
• Review tree protection plans as they relate to the Public Tree Permit
• Review landscape plans to ensure arboriculture/landscaping best practices and standards are met
• Respond to public complaints or inquiries, orally or in writing
• Assist with creating educational and engaging content for social media posts, webpages, and workshops
• Assist with delivering educational presentations to a wide variety of demographics to promote the benefits of the urban forest
• Assist with facilitating community-driven planting programs
• Assist with the annual tree health and inventory assessment
• Perform related work, as required

Qualifications

• Completion of a 2 year technology diploma with an arboricultural emphasis or a related field, including the ability to identify and assess local tree species
• 2 years experience in the landscaping industry
• Knowledge of arboricultural techniques and practices
• Knowledge of methods and standards common to the specifications of contract implementation
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively deal with the public
• Ability to communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish priorities and effectively multitask
• Ability to perform light to medium manual labour, such as carrying minimal equipment to and from various worksite
• Proficiency in using Google Applications, such as Google Documents, Google Sheets and Google Meets
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's licence (or provincial equivalent). Obtaining and maintaining a City Driver's permit is a requirement of this position
• Successful candidates must arrange their own transportation, to be reimbursed in accordance with City of Edmonton policy. This may require business auto insurance
• Embrace the Cultural Commitments of Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Integrated and Excellent, and foster an environment that encourages others to do the same
• Demonstrate alignment with the Cultural Commitments of Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Integrated and Excellent, fostering an environment for others to do the same. For more information on the City’s Cultural Commitments, please visit edmonton.ca/our-culture
• Demonstrate the foundational competencies, key behaviours and attributes of the City’s six leadership competencies: Courage, Inclusivity, Values-Based Influencer, Collaborative Networker, Systems Thinker and Creative Innovator.  For more information on the City’s leadership competencies, please visit edmonton.ca/our-culture
• Applicants may be tested

Assets:

• Knowledge and experience using GIS software, such as AEGIS (ArcGIS) or SLIM
• International Society of Arboriculture Certification
• Possession of Standard First Aid and CPR certification
• Experience in landscape construction, nursery, natural areas management and/or tree care
• Experience in contract supervision
• Knowledge of landscape construction procedures
• Experience coordinating and inspecting contractor work
• Knowledge of SAP

Successful candidates may be eligible for recall in the 2025 season

Closing Date: Mar 7, 2024 11:59:00 PM (MST)
Number of Openings (up to): 10 - Temporary Full-time

Edmonton is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region.