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City Arborist

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City Arborist

Salary

$71,734.85 Annually

Location

Jacksonville, FL

Job Type

Civil Service

Job Number

2026-06886

Department

PUBLIC WORKS

Opening Date

12/17/2025

Closing Date

12/29/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Job Description

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

The Public Works Department is actively seeking a City Arborist.

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is professional forestry work in planning, organizing, and directing urban forestry activities relating to county-wide tree planting projects. The work requires a basic understanding and application of the theories, principles, and practices of urban forestry, arboriculture, botany, and horticultural, and the use of specialized skills in recommending, developing, and administering urban forestry planting plans, policies and procedures, which is gained through degree granting schools, or an equivalent level of practical knowledge gained through experience. Schedules, assigns, monitors, directs, reviews the work of contractors engaged in tree planting, care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment. Contacts require skill in understanding and influencing people and are important in disseminating technical information and advice to public officials and the public regarding forestry-related regulations, proper forestry techniques and forestry-related projects. The forestry work is standardized in that tasks are covered by substantially diversified procedures and specialized standards, and because of the changing priorities, or different situations, incumbents have the latitude to consider which of the many procedures or standards should be followed and in what sequence. The work involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in search of solutions or new applications within ones’ known experiences. Work is performed in both an office and field environment where risks and hazards are minimal, known, predictable, and controllable. Operates a utility vehicle and standard office equipment such as personal computer. Physical demands consist mainly of visually inspecting trees, using equipment and occasionally lifting objects weighing less than fifty (50) pounds. Work is performed under limited supervision where work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices or well-defined policies and is reviewed, usually after the fact, in terms of quality, timeliness, and adherence to methods, standards and policies.

Examples of Work

+ Administers county-wide tree planting projects.

+ Schedules, assigns, monitors, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of contractors involved in tree planting, care and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment.

+ Estimate costs, materials, labor, and time for selection, purchasing and planting of trees.

+ Recommends, develops and administers urban forestry planting plans, policies and procedures.

+ Facilitates and monitors tree planting projects with nonprofits and civil groups.

+ Coordinates private and public participation in planting process.

+ Help develop a list of priority planting projects.

+ Coordinates education and outreach programs to government and civil groups related to planting.

+ Oversee urban forestry studies include street trees analyses, type mapping and classification through use of aerial photos, statistical analyses, and related materials and methods.

+ Helps prepare and submit grant proposals for urban forestry grants.

+ Provides staff support for the Tree Conservation Commission related to planting trees.

+ Develop long term monitoring procedures for planting projects.

+ Sets canopy goals and measures the progress of planting programs.

+ Maintains a database and inventory of the City's trees.

+ Responds to citizen right-of-way planting requests through the MyJax System.

+ Responds to public damaged tree claims and assists with the replanting of trees.

+ Assists in preparation of an annual report on the City's tree maintenance program to the City Council.

+ Operates standard office equipment such as personal computers using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other related software applications.

+ Communicates in a clear direction, managing results leading to organizational change.

+ Assigns responsibility, takes corrective action, demonstrates leadership in evaluating, developing, and motivating employees.

+ Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.

+ Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

+ Knowledge of botany, arboriculture and horticultural theories, principles, and practices.

+ Knowledge of urban forestry practices, including planting.

+ Knowledge of laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing urban forestry operations.

+ Knowledge of urban forestry practices in the southern United States preferred.

+ Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in urban forestry operations.

+ Knowledge of basic species of trees and of their growth, maintenance conditions, and needs.

+ Knowledge of soils, fertilizers, and methods of plant cultivation compatible with local environmental conditions.

+ Knowledge of research and statistical methods and techniques.

+ Ability to schedule, assign, monitor, direct, review the work of contractors engaged in tree planting, care, and removal from the time of planting until tree establishment. Ability to recommend, develop and administer urban forestry plans, policies, and procedures.

+ Ability to estimate costs, materials, labor, and time for selection, purchasing and planting of trees.

+ Ability to conduct urban forestry studies and to analyze and formulate recommendations based upon such studies.

+ Ability to prepare and submit grant proposals for urban forestry grants.

+ Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

+ Ability to operate a utility vehicle.

Open Requirements/Supplemental Information

+ Five (5) years of education and/or professional experience in urban forestry or directly related field which includes successful completion of 24 semester hours of course work in arboriculture, horticulture or environmental science or related subject.

+ Bachelor's degree in forestry or a related field - preferred.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

+ Must possess or obtain within six (6) months, valid certification from the International Society of Arboriculture as an ISA Certified Arborist or Master Arborist.

+ A valid Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained during employment in this class.

+ Must qualify prior to appointment, obtain, and maintain during employment in this class a City of Jacksonville Certification as a Public Driver.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

+ The probationary period for this class is six (6) months.

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply at www.jacksonville.gov. Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blackout, is required with your application. U.S. transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school’s name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred. Transcripts outside the U.S. must be converted to U.S. standards.

The application system works best with Google Chrome or Edge with Chromium web browsers. Please try to apply using one of these browsers. To ensure you receive email notifications, be sure to make “[email protected]” a trusted sender. You may also track the status of your application and see notifications by logging into your account. For further information regarding the application process. please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the website.

Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for post-secondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

If claiming veteran's preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here: http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference.

If a candidate believes he or she was not afforded the veteran’s preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

Attention: Veterans’ Preference Coordinator

11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K

Largo, FL 33778-1630

Email: [email protected]

The City of Jacksonville provides a wide array of benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Our comprehensive benefit programs include medical, dental and vision plans; life insurance coverage for you and your dependents; flexible spending plans for medical reimbursement, dependent care, parking, and transit expenses; an employee assistance program for you and your dependents; a 457(b) tax-deferred compensation plan to supplement your retirement, and a ROTH IRA plan. We also provide an extensive wellness program that includes a health intervention program if qualified, lunch and learns, health fairs, and discounted gym memberships. Please visit the Employee Benefits website for details on all the plans we offer.

www.coj.net/benefits

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Copying and pasting your resume or stating "see resume" does NOT fulfill the requirements of the question. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Are you authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship from the City of Jacksonville either now or in the future?

+ Yes

+ No

03

The budgeted annual salary for this position is $71,734.85. This is not negotiable. If selected, would you be willing to accept this position at this salary? (Civil Service positions have a 5% increase after successfully completing probation.)

+ Yes

+ No

04

This position is located in an office and is not a remote location.

+ I have read and understand the above statement.

05

Do you have a bachelors' degree or higher from an accredited college or university in urban forestry or directly related field which includes successful completion of 24 semester hours of course work in arboriculture, horticulture or environmental science or related subject? You MUST attach your college transcript with your application.

+ Yes

+ No

06

Do you have five (5) years of education and/or professional experience in urban forestry or directly related field which includes successful completion of 24 semester hours of course work in arboriculture, horticulture or environmental science or related subject?

+ Yes

+ No

07

Provide a detailed description (at least 3-4 complete sentences) of your experience.

08

Indicate the organization(s) you worked for where you gained this experience.

09

If you stated you have experience in a related field, please state what the related field is and explain how this is related to the required areas listed above.

10

Do you understand you must possess or obtain within six (6) months, valid certification from the International Society of Arboriculture as an ISA Certified Arborist or Master Arborist?

+ Yes

+ No

11

Do you have a valid motor vehicle operator license that is not under suspension/revocation or restricted under any pending or current citations/court proceedings? Please indicate which license you possess.

+ FL Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL)

+ FL Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL)

+ FL Class C Commercial Driver License (CDL)

+ FL Class E Driver License

+ GA Standard Driver's License

+ GA Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

+ GA Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

+ GA Class C Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

+ License from another State.

+ Learner Permit

+ My license is currently invalid.

+ I do not possess any type of Driver's License.

12

If you have a State of FL license, does your license currently have one or more of these restrictions?

+ C or 1 - Business Purpose Only

+ D or H - Employment Purposes

+ P or 2 – Probation Interlock Device

+ S or I – Other Restriction

+ Two or more of these restrictions.

+ I have an out of state license.

+ None of the above.

13

Have you been cited for more than three (3) moving violations, or two (2) at fault accidents within the past 12 months from current date?

+ Yes

+ No

14

Have you been convicted of Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) in any state during the last 36 months from current date?

+ Yes

+ No

15

Have you been considered a "Habitual Traffic Offender" (HTO) within the past 12 months from current date?

+ Yes

+ No

16

I consent to the City of Jacksonville using the driver's license information I have provided to access a driver's license report from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. I understand if one was accessed with relation to this application, a copy will be provided to me upon request.

+ Yes, the City of Jacksonville has my consent to check my driver's license.

+ No, I do not wish to give consent to the City of Jacksonville to check my driver's license.

+ I do not possess a valid driver's license.

17

Provide your full Driver's License or Identification number. For out of state license, please include the state. If a correct number is not provided, your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

18

If you are requesting veterans preference, you MUST download the appropriate state of Florida form (even if you don't live in Florida) and attach it to your application. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL DELAY YOUR VETERANS PREFERENCE STATUS. Please download the forms at http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference

+ Yes, I am claiming veterans preference and I understand that I MUST download the appropriate form and attach it to my application.

+ No, I am not claiming veterans preference and this does not apply to me.

19

A copy of your college transcript is required with your application. College transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the name of the school, type of degree, classes taken, grades received and date degree was conferred. NOTE: Copy of your diploma does NOT meet this requirement. Transcripts from colleges outside of the U.S. must be converted to U.S. Standards. If required documents are not provided your application will be considered incomplete and may result in disqualification from the selection process.

+ I have read the above statement and understand what is required.

Required Question

Employer

City of Jacksonville

Address

117 W. Duval St. Suite 100 Jacksonville, Florida, 32202

Website

http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services.aspx

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