Primary purpose:
The Community Forester Arborist is responsible for the daily management of permitting requirements of the Forestry Division. Leads the Division’s community forestry and outreach activities, including meeting with stakeholder groups, advocacy groups, schools, residents and other constituencies to build volunteer programs and urban forestry-based community initiatives. Works independently to set goals, be organized, make independent decisions and demonstrate strong leadership skills. Assists in the coordination and execution of all phases of the division’s activities, including meeting the goals and directives set by the division head. As a member of the Division of Urban Forestry’s leadership team, Community Forester Arborist will use industry standards and guidelines to make critical determinations on the safety, stability and longevity of trees and make recommendations for corrective actions. Participates in the enforcement of applicable City Ordinances and State Laws. Communicates regularly with constituents in person, over the phone, via email or other means; acts politely with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, ensuring requests and objectives are addressed in a timely manner. Performs other related duties of a supervisory nature as required and deemed necessary by City Forester. Works to fill in for other staff as needed.
Supervision:
Scope and Judgment: Community Forester, Arborist operates with a significant degree of independence in planning, organizing, and executing procedures of the Urban Forestry Division as well as enforcing relevant laws and ordinances. The position requires sound judgment to make decisions within the framework of established laws, regulations, policies and timelines while meeting critical division mandates. This role also involves coordinating with other city departments, external organizations, and the public to achieve goals.
Supervision Received: The Community Forester, Arborist works under the general supervision of the City Forester and/or their designee. The supervisor provides guidance on policy interpretation, overall objectives, and priorities but expects the Community Forester, Arborist to independently manage day-to-day responsibilities. Work is reviewed periodically through meetings, reports, and evaluations to ensure compliance with appropriate laws and alignment with division goals.
Supervision Given: The Community Forester, Arborist supervises, part time employees, volunteers, students, interns and assists in overseeing and coordinating division staff members in the absence of their direct supervisors. Responsibilities include recruiting, scheduling, and providing ongoing supervision and support to these staff to ensure operational efficiency, safety and acceptable work performance.
Essential Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
Responsible for the daily review of assigned tree permits, building permits and all other associated regulatory requirements related to trees. Responsible for issuing approvals and denials related to all permits associated with City Ordinance and relevant State Laws in a timely manner and in compliance with established departmental protocols.
Meets daily with division head to receive assignments, develop work schedules, review objectives, and plan out work to ensure efficiency and safety. Takes necessary precautions and actions to execute work in a safe and efficient manner as it relates to the employee, coworkers, other City staff and the public. Ensures all division goals, procedures, assignments, tasks, and safety requirements are being followed.
Interacts daily with division constituents, including but not limited to: the public, City staff, elected officials, other government agencies, and contractors, in person, through the phone, email, text, and other electronic means. Interactions must be courteous, timely, and professional and remain calm in the face of challenging situations. Ability to work effectively with people and to articulate and explain complex regulatory procedures in a way that others can understand, some of which may be controversial in nature.
Represents the Division as it relates to the City and private construction projects and the associated impacts to trees. Includes working with all types of utility companies to ensure City trees are protected per the City’s requirements.
Leads the Division’s community forestry and outreach activities. Includes meeting with stakeholder groups, advocacy groups, schools, residents and other constituencies to build volunteer programs and urban forestry based community initiatives.
Develop, implement and supervise a seasonal work program for students and seasonal employees that focuses on young trees in compliance with the City’s established protocols.
Inspect, evaluate and inventory existing trees and potential planting locations following division procedures as directed by division head.
Shall assist other Division members in managing and monitoring assigned arboriculture practices, tree planting, emergency response, coordination of work crews, staff training, and represent the division when directed.
Record daily work activities, equipment checks, and tree evaluations as required by division head as well as all other necessary reporting and record keeping. Record keeping shall follow the divisions established record keeping processes and be done electronically. Daily use of a computer and other electronic devices is required.
Responsible for submitting invoices, requesting purchase orders, and tracking expenses.
Maintains readiness and regularly assesses the condition of assigned materials and vehicles; keeps them clean inside and out, checks all personal protective equipment and safety devices, and reports any defects to their division head. Performs preventative maintenance and repairs to assigned materials and vehicles as deemed appropriate by division head. Keeps assigned work areas, assigned vehicles and associated tools clean, neat, orderly, safe, and secure.
Must maintain knowledge of all equipment assigned to the division; including saws, hand tools, chippers, stump grinders, spray and watering equipment, pickup trucks, bucket trucks, log loaders, chip trucks, and any other equipment used by the division.
Available to receive phone calls, and other communication from division head and other City staff related to tree emergencies during and outside normal work hours 24 hours a day 365 days a year and work toward their timely resolve as deemed necessary by the division head. Expectation that the Crew Operations Arborist will work hours in excess of the regularly scheduled 40-hour work week due emergency replated issues and division workload.
Works primarily outdoors which may include work during adverse weather conditions, including snow, wind, ice, rain, extreme cold and extreme heat at any time of the day or night. Work will be performed from vehicles and on foot.
Participate in and complete all division and City provided training, including, but not limited to team building, professional development, industry events, and will be expected to work toward completing programs offered by tree care industry trade associations such as, but not limited to, MTWFA, MAA, TCIA, and ISA.
Must maintain and possess in good standing all required certifications, licenses and accreditations required to perform the duties of this position and to operate any assigned vehicles.
Shall provide assistance to the division head with their duties and tasks as needed. Works to fill in for other division staff, as needed.
Performs other related duties of a supervisory nature as required and deemed necessary by City Forester. Works to fill in for other staff as needed.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. We encourage all candidates who feel they are capable of successfully performing the responsibilities as outlined in this position description, regardless of the qualifications listed below to apply.)
Education, Training and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree in arboriculture, forestry or similar course of study strongly preferred; must have five to ten (5-10) years of municipal arboricultural experience and experience with planting, pruning and removing trees and operating tree care equipment with the knowledge to operate all tools and equipment commonly associated with the arboriculture industry. Must have three to five (3-5) years of demonstrated experience with major wide scale tree emergency events and experience working with customers and the public. Equivalent combinations of education and industry experience will be considered. . Prior experience using computers and databases to manage information.
Special requirements:
Must be a Massachusetts or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist or have the ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe as determined by the City. Must be a Massachusetts Qualified Tree Warden or have the ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe as determined by the City. Must have a Massachusetts Pesticide Applicators License or have the ability to obtain certification within a specified timeframe as determined by the City. Must possess a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, Class D; Massachusetts commercial driver’s license (CDL) Class B license or above strongly preferred; Massachusetts Hoisting Operator’s License 2A and 1C strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge: Knowledge of all O.S.H.A., A.N.S.I, State, and Federal regulations pertaining to safe tree care operations and establishing safe and proper work zones. Knowledge of industry standards and guidelines to make critical determinations on the safety, stability, and longevity of trees and make recommendations for corrective actions. Knowledge of municipal operation, reporting, and basic office procedures and database management systems. Ability: Ability to plan, manage, and prioritize multiple work crews/sites and operational demands simultaneously. Ability to supervise, train, and motivate staff and volunteers. Ability to communicate effectively with staff, other departments and community stakeholders. Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and make independent decisions within established guidelines. Ability to present information effectively, to top management, public groups, employees of the city and/or governing boards, that may be controversial in nature. Ability to spend extended amounts of time traveling by vehicle and in the field performing assigned duties on foot. Ability to use industry tools and machinery.
Skill: Strong communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving and analytical skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic database systems. Effective time management and record-keeping skills. Strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal and supervisory skills. Work Environment:
Employee splits time between office work and working outdoors. When inside the employee is exposed to normal office conditions. When outside, the employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions; such as fumes and airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, high places, extremes of heat and cool; possible risk of electric shock. Employee is required to visit work sites, which will require frequent travel.
Operates computers, calculators, typewriters, copier, telephone and all other standard office equipment as well as tools and equipment commonly associated with arboricultural work.
May have contact with the general public, other city departments and officials, outside agencies, businesses, vendors, and other governmental organizations and attorneys, etc. Communication is by means of telephone, personal discussion, and correspondence and involves discussing routine information requiring patience and courtesy.
Errors in judgment could result in significant delay or loss of services, legal ramifications, adverse public relations, personal injury/loss, damage to buildings and equipment, and injury to others.
Physical requirements:
(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Employee separates their time between working outdoors and office work. When inside the employee is exposed to normal office conditions. When outside, the employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions; such as fumes and airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, high places, extremes of heat and cool; possible risk of electric shock. Tasks may involve lifting carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and machinery of significant weight (40 - 50 lbs.). Work requires the ability to spend extended amounts of time traveling by vehicle and in the field performing assigned duties on foot. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Performance Standard:
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)
THE CITY:
The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.
OUR GOVERNMENT:
Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.
AS AN EMPLOYER:
The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.
Human Resources Diversity Statement
We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:
The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.