Urban Forestry Foreman

Compensation

Salary range: $75,000-$85,000. Casey Trees offers excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, flexible spending account, paid holidays, paid time off, and retirement plan 403(b). 

About Casey Trees

In pursuit of its mission to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital, Casey Trees (CT) delivers a broad base of programs and services to the DC Metro area. The organization plants more than 6,500 trees each year grown at our own nursery; cares and maintains those trees; conserves greenspace; conducts school and community-based youth STEM programming; and advocates for stronger policies and laws to preserve trees across the area. Casey Trees emphasizes innovative solutions and working with diverse partners to advance and promote tree canopy solutions that meet the needs of the communities that we serve.

Summary 

The UF Foreman (Foreman) is responsible for the proper execution of all planting, plant care and related activities, including managing all field operations and logistics. The Foreman leads by example and assists in managing the Crew Chiefs and Crew. The incumbent will plan tree planting projects and assist in supervising field activities to ensure efficient and effective operations. This position reports directly to the Urban Forestry Manager with significant coordination from the Design & Horticulture Manager, Field Manager, other Urban Forestry Foreman and members of other departments. 

Essential Functions

• Plans and carries out tree installation projects through community outreach, project management, site consultations, tree species selections, and installation management.
• Create plans for Community Tree Planting events including but not limited to staging of check-in tent, opening remarks, tool circle, water rig, and food.
• Manages, mentors, and assists in overseeing Planting Crew and Chiefs including hiring, onboarding, training, and developing subordinate staff
• Inspects/evaluates Planting Crew work outputs; provides clear direction and regular feedback to ensure quality outputs are safe, efficient, and effective 
• Provides ongoing employee feedback and development through daily check-ins, weekly meetings and bi-annual performance reviews for Planting Crew and Chiefs with assistance from the Field Manager 
• Maintains administrative procedures including scheduling staff and reviewing and approving timesheets
• Manages field operations and event implementation for planting care programs, including loading/unloading plant orders, tools, and materials; dispatching crews; and planting, pruning, watering and other activities
• Managing inventories and procurement/delivery of equipment, tools and materials including mulch, stakes, fencing, trunk guards, watering bags, etc. 
• Manage tree storage yards, including un/loading; basic organization; daily security; weekly inventory; irrigation; protection from desiccation/drought, cold temps/heeling-in; materials storage and seasonal clean-up. 
• Manage regular vehicle maintenance, including weekly safety inspection, checking tire pressure, monthly vacuuming and washing, seasonal oil changes, annual DMV inspection and registration.
• Plan and carry out garden installations, coordinating with Design & Horticulture Manager and Field Manager, coordinating with clients, directing and working with crew on site to prepare and install native plant and rain gardens.
• Conduct pre-site assessment of planting designs to create operation strategy
• Selects, delivers, plants, prunes, inventories, waters, and cares for trees, shrubs, and perennials
• Operates trucks, trailers, heavy machinery, hand, and power tools safely and professionally
• Consistently demonstrates professionalism, models positive behaviors for subordinates, staff & volunteers 
• Demonstrates/provides exceptional customer service for internal and external stakeholders 
• Assists with plant procurement including sourcing, invoicing, delivery, inventory/reconciliation, etc.
• Provides logistical support during trainings, classes, workshops, tours, demonstrations, etc.
• Collaborates organization-wide as required to execute grants, contracts, programs, and activities
• Conducts/reports on pre-planting site visits to assess feasibility and best operational practices/strategies
• Keeps the UF Manager and Field Manager informed on field operations, and personnel performance
• Promotes a culture of safety through trainings, briefings, continual staff feedback, etc. 
• Ensures adherence to organizational policies and procedures including, but not limited to attendance, timeliness, conduct, professionalism, appearance, customer service, etc. 
• Connects people to trees

Competencies

• Field Work

• Problem Solving

• Volunteer Management 

• Self-Motivation

• Safety Orientation

• Mentorship/leadership

• Communication Proficiency

Working Conditions

The incumbent works in the office and in the field. Must be able to use equipment such as (not an exclusive list): desktop computer; smart phones; automobile; pickup truck with trailer; small, motorized equipment; various hand tools such as shovels, rakes, saws, ladders, and pruning shears, etc.

Physical Demands: 

• Use of equipment and lifting to plant and maintain trees
• Working outside year-round in the heat, cold and inclement weather
• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The incumbent is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk. The incumbent is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds frequently and occasionally up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position, averaging 40 hours a week. The incumbent must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed. 

Travel

Travel is primarily local to the Greater Washington, DC region including occasional travel to Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, VA. Some out of area travel and overnights may be expected.

Required Qualifications

• Two (2) years of work experience in horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping, urban forestry, or related field
• ISA Certified Arborist credential required upon hire; or within the first year of employment
• Basic proficiency with ArcGIS and Salesforce applications
• Department of Transportation Card
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and experience and ability to safely drive work vehicles including a pickup truck and trailer
• Experience with tree planting and landscape operations, tree stock type and sizes, selection, nursery operations, ANSI standards essential
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills 
• Professional demeanor and the ability to interact and work with a variety of audiences
• Ability to work both independently as well as in a team environment 
• Ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to read and execute scaled landscape plans accurately and with minimal supervision
• Ability to manage time between field tasks and office administrative and communication work with inside and outside partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of supervisory experience managing field crews of diverse backgrounds and skill levels on garden/landscape installations.
• Basic proficiency with ArcGIS and Salesforce applications
• Associate degree in horticulture, landscaping, forestry, urban forestry, or related field
• Knowledge of and/or desire to learn about plants native to the mid-Atlantic United States 
• Demonstrated experience working with and managing volunteers

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Casey Trees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

To apply: 

Go to caseytrees.org/career to apply online. Please reach out to Veva Milton, HR Generalist with questions at vmilton@caseytrees.org.