Arborist

Employer
City of Milton
Milton, Georgia

Description
The Arborist oversees the City’s tree program and leads sustainability initiatives, programs, and policies aimed at enhancing Milton’s natural environment and minimizing its negative environmental impact. This individual reviews tree permits and development projects for tree and landscape compliance, collaborates across departments to advance citywide sustainability goals, and provides community outreach and education on natural resources.
Reports to: Community Development Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Interpret, explain, and enforce City ordinances related to tree preservation, protection, and replacement.
• Review all tree permits, development plans, drawings, and tree protection/removal plans for compliance with ordinances; approve or recommend corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct site inspections throughout all stages of construction to ensure compliance with approved tree, landscape, and sustainability plans; evaluate tree health, identify hazards, and perform follow-up inspections, including post-construction compliance checks.
• Lead the City’s tree programs, including inventory, planting, pruning, removal, and long-term preservation.
• Oversee sustainability and conservation initiatives such as Arbor Day, National Wildlife Habitat, Christmas tree recycling, and Green Communities certification.
• Maintain program metrics, including tree inventories, Tree City USA certification, sustainability dashboards, and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to developers, landscapers, property owners, residents, and the public regarding tree preservation and sustainable practices.
• Manage natural resource related volunteer programs, stakeholder engagement, and public education efforts; coordinate committees and events that promote environmental stewardship and green community initiatives.
• Advance sustainability initiatives that reduce environmental impacts, support healthy ecosystems, and foster resilient, livable green communities.
• Pursue, secure, and manage grants for tree planting, habitat restoration, conservation, and environmental education projects.
• Conduct site visits across the City to inspect development projects, monitor City properties, deliver educational programs, and perform professional arborist duties.

Additional Functions:

• This position must be able to operate a motor vehicle to travel between City facilities and work sites in order to provide technical support and participate in projects as required.
• May be required to support the City’s emergency management program.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science or related field
• Two (2) years of urban forestry, tree preservation, landscape, or environmental/natural resource experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Must possess and maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Leadership: Has guidelines for work but determines the approach.
• Complexity: Performs entry-level professional work including basic data analysis and synthesis, report creation, process performance, and regulatory or compliance activities. The work involves statistics, operations analysis, or forecasting.
• Decision Making: Makes decisions that govern the activities as well as others. The decisions impact how the unit provides services and support to internal and external customers.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of city, county, Atlanta Regional Commission, state and federal codes, ordinances and regulations pertaining to landscape design.
• Knowledge of tree identification, selection, installation, establishment, nutrition and fertilization; tree, soil and water relations; and tree-care procedures including pruning, cabling, bracing and lightning protection.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices, environmental protection strategies, green infrastructure, and habitat restoration
• Knowledge of grant administration and funding processes for natural resources
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and community development
• Skills in effective written and verbal communication, including public presentations
• Skills in data collection, reporting, and performance metric tracking
• Skills in budgeting, grant writing, and financial management of programs
• Skills in collaboration across departments, agencies, and community stakeholders
• Skills in event planning and volunteer program coordination
• Skills in policy analysis and ordinance interpretation
• Ability to diagnose tree diseases, identify harmful pests and insects, and monitor environmental impact.
• Ability to recognize tree hazards and recommend proper course of action.
• Ability to learn, comprehend, and apply all city or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.
• Ability to review development proposals for compliance with urban forestry standards
• Ability to build relationships and foster partnerships with residents, agencies, and organizations
• Ability to balance technical, regulatory, and community engagement requirements
• Ability to make informed decisions to protect natural resources while promoting sustainable development
• Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of construction-related equipment and automated office machines which includes computer, printer, copier, etc. Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials. Must be able to exert up to fifty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to twenty pounds frequently.
• Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for physically active work. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to one hundred pounds.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with office equipment and recording devices.
• Ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using various pieces of equipment, automated office equipment; and to operate motor vehicles.
• Ability to handle a variety of items including construction-related equipment, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have above average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
• Ability to talk and/or hear: (talking – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing – perceiving nature of sounds by ear)

Limitations and Disclaimer:
The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position, and those duties may change, be eliminated, or expanded in accordance with the needs of the City of Milton. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor and in compliance with federal and State laws and applicable regulations.
The City of Milton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or retaliate against job applicants or employees on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, military service, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, religion or on the basis of any other protected category. Job applicants and employees may request reasonable accommodations, in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some essential job requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
Requirements listed in this description are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/ or abilities required to perform this position successfully, and the applicant and/or employee must possess the listed abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment with the City of Milton remains on an “at-will” basis. This description does not create a property interest, an employment agreement, or alter the terms and conditions of any other policy or agreement that may be in effect now or in the future.

Salary Range
$68,258.44 – $102,387.66

Benefits
The City of Milton offers considerable benefits to our employees as part of our commitment to foster a quality work environment and positive quality of life.

These benefits are coordinated through the City’s Human Resources Department, which partners with a host of qualified, well-rated outside vendors that offer services and programs that can be used by Milton employees during and beyond the workday.

How to Apply

APPLY ONLINE

Deadline
10/03/2025