Urban Forester

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo Posting Number STA00834PO26 Job Family Building and Grounds Maintenance Job Function Groundskeeping/Landscaping/Turf Management USC Market Title Campus Arborist Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/215289 Job Level M0 - Managerial Business Title (Internal Title) Urban Forester Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division Division of Administration and Finance Department DAF Facilities Landscaping State Pay Range G06 USC Market Range MRE - $48,726 $59,689 $70,653 Anticipated Hiring Range $48,726 - $59,689 Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday 7:00 am -3:30 pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis 12 months Job Search Category Other

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The position manages the Urban Forest Management Plan, manages tree care operations, the arborist crew, Arbor Pro inventory data, tree-risk management, contracted tree services and assessments, and tree-protection efforts associated with campus projects.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• ISA Certified Arborist credential; ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a campus, municipal, institutional, or other large and diverse urban forest; experience with Arbor Pro or comparable inventory software; supervisory experience; and knowledge of GIS, GPS, construction tree protection, and urban forest planning.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must be able to plan, direct, and review the work of the Campus Arborist, contracted tree services, consulting arborists, and assessment firms.
• Thorough knowledge of arboriculture, tree-risk assessment, tree preservation, and ANSI A300 and Z133 standards.
• Ability to manage Arbor Pro data, develop work plans and scopes of work, review plans and site conditions, interpret data and budgets, establish safe work practices, communicate effectively, and prepare clear recommendations and reports.
• Ability to obtain and maintain University driving authorization.

Job Duties

Job Duty

As a working manager, administers and continuously improves the campus urban forest program. Assesses campus trees for health, structural condition, pest and disease concerns, and risk; prioritizes maintenance, planting, replacement, preservation, and emergency-response actions; and maintains annual work plans, standards, and performance measures.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty

Manages qualified tree specialist contractors, consulting arborists, and assessment firms providing pruning, removals, stump grinding, planting, plant health care, storm response, inventory support, and tree-risk assessments. Develops scopes of work; assists with solicitations and quote review; verifies completed work; documents deficiencies; reviews invoices; and maintains follow-up records.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty

Manages the campus tree inventory in Arbor Pro. Ensures timely, accurate updates for plantings, removals, inspections, risk findings, work orders, maintenance history, and contractor assessments. Uses inventory data to identify maintenance backlogs, canopy and species trends, replacement needs, budget priorities, and program performance measures.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty

Supervises, trains, coaches, and evaluates the Campus Arborist. Establishes safe work practices and quality expectations; coordinates equipment readiness, work scheduling, service requests, and day-to-day priorities; and provides arboriculture training to Landscaping staff in proper pruning, tree planting, hazard recognition, and safe equipment operation.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty

Reviews proposed construction, renovation, utility, and event plans that may affect campus trees. Advises project managers, designers, engineers, and contractors on tree preservation, protection zones, root-zone impacts, species selection, and mitigation measures; and inspects work sites for compliance with approved tree-protection requirements.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty

Serves as the University's subject-matter resource for campus trees and urban forestry. Communicates tree-related conditions, recommendations, program results, and funding needs to campus stakeholders. Coordinates with Landscape, Planning, Design and Construction, Facilities, Risk Management, Campus Safety, and external agencies as appropriate.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty

Responds to urgent hazardous-tree incidents and severe-weather events, coordinates emergency contractor and staff response, documents actions, and restores safe access to campus areas.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5 Job Duty

Performs administrative and program-support duties, including budget and procurement support, report preparation, training, meetings, incident documentation, records management, and other related duties as assigned.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Job Open Date 11/09/2026 Job Close Date 12/24/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by December 24, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at UofSC.

Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/215422 EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes

• No

• • Although we accept resumes for review, the application is the official hiring document maintained by the university. Offers of employment and starting salaries are based on the education and work experience (including beginning and end dates) included in the university application only, not your resume. Have you included all details for all education, volunteer and work experiences in your job application?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• Other Supporting Documents
• Resume