Natural Systems Specialist 2 - Urban Forestry Municipal Arborist

Full Job Description

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 5 p.m. P.T.
Accepting Online Applications only through the City of Eugene Website

Information on How to Apply

Are you interested in a high-impact role helping shape a safe, resilient, and vibrant urban forest for the Eugene community?

The City of Eugene is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Natural Systems Specialist – Municipal Arborist to join our Urban Forestry team.

This role serves as the first point of contact between the Urban Forestry team and the community, operating at the intersection of public service, risk management, and environmental stewardship.

This is a high-trust position requiring strong technical judgment and a deep understanding of tree risk assessment, urban forestry operations, and municipal right-of-way management.

The primary function of this role is to receive and respond to incoming public service requests regarding street tree-related concerns.

Daily work includes visiting sites, performing field inspections, and using professional arboricultural knowledge to make informed, real-time decisions about whether a tree’s condition requires mitigation in order to balance public safety and long-term tree health.

Based upon these evaluations, this position communicates next steps to adjacent, affected community members and coordinates with field crews, contract managers, other City work groups, and/or stakeholders to ensure resolutions are timely and effective.

When needs are determined to be less critical, work orders will be created and handed off to other team members to manage using an internal priority rating system.

In situations where hazards can be safely addressed by a single staff member, this position often performs hands-on pruning or minor mitigation work to quickly resolve issues in the field.

This position frequently serves as the first and last point of contact with the public for the majority of needs received by the department.

An essential part of this role is skillfully navigating conversations with the public, especially when their expectations cannot be fully met.

Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate records, updating tree inventory data using GIS tools, and supporting the administration of the Urban Forestry permitting program for planting, pruning, and removal of trees located in the right-of-way.

This permit program provides a pathway for community members to participate in the care of public trees when requested work aligns with program standards but is not prioritized within existing City resources.

Eugene’s Urban Forestry program manages over 70,000 public street trees, and the decisions made in this role have a direct and visible impact on both community safety and the long-term health of the urban forest.

While this position often works independently, it is supported by a team of highly skilled professionals and will regularly collaborate to ensure decisions align with program standards and community needs.

If you are an experienced arborist with strong communication skills who is passionate about advancing tree health, supporting community understanding, and contributing to the responsible stewardship of Eugene’s urban forest, we encourage you to apply.

Classification: Natural Systems Specialist 2

Department, Division: Public Works Department / Parks and Open Space Division
Union Representation: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Salary Range: $34.21 - $42.62 / hourly; $71,156.80 - $88,649.60 / annually
The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).
Supervisor: Spencer Crawford, 541-799-5948
Location: 1820 Roosevelt Blvd., Eugene
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.
Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

Requirements

• Receive, review, and respond to tree-related Requests for Service (RFS) submitted by the community via phone, email, and the City’s Maintenance Management System (MMS).

• Serve as a primary point of contact for community members by maintaining accurate and complete records of service requests, conversations with requesters, inspections, actions taken, and follow-up needs, using the City’s proprietary data tracking program (MMS) and GIS.

• Conduct field inspections to evaluate tree condition, health, structural defects, clearance issues, including line of sight/visibility obstructions, and overall risk to adjacent targets.

• Apply the Urban Forestry Priority Rating System to appropriately guide response actions.

• Initiate and coordinate appropriate responses to identified issues.

• Balance public safety, long-term tree health, program standards and goals, with available resources.

• Coordinate response to high-risk situations, including emergency conditions, to in-house field staff, ensuring timely mitigation of hazards.

• Perform hands-on pruning or mitigation of issues when they can be safely resolved or reduced by a single staff member.

• Determine responsible parties for tree-related issues, including public versus private ownership, using GIS tools, field verification, and available records.

• Coordinate with other City departments, external agencies, or private property owners when requests fall outside Urban Forestry’s management responsibilities.

• Support implementation and administration of the Urban Forestry permitting program for planting, pruning, and removal of trees within the public right-of-way.

• Perform quality assurance inspections of work performed under issued permits and resolve compliance issues as needed.

• Assist with enforcement or referral processes for private trees and vegetation impacting public safety in the right-of-way.

• Field verify and update tree inventory data using ArcGIS Field Maps and related tools to support program planning and decision-making.

• Monitor and communicate to fellow staff about emerging trends, patterns, or recurring issues related to urban forest conditions across the community.

• Collaborate regularly with Urban Forestry staff and supervisors to support program goals, improve service delivery, and ensure alignment with program values and best management practices.

• Perform work independently while consulting with team members and supervisors on complex or high-risk situations.

• Applies safe work processes and ensures the safety of the public and employees.

• Actively supports a respectful workplace and City policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Respond to emergency situations to mitigate and/or assists with hazardous situations as assigned; may be required to be available for emergency call outs.

• May represent the city in court and in appeals to a hearing official.

• Act in the capacity of the supervisor in the supervisor’s absence or as directed.

• Perform other related duties as assign

Qualifications

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable skills from a variety of sources and experiences.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

Four years of experience in public works inspection, code enforcement, planning, program coordination, Urban Forestry, Landscape architecture or a related field.

Education:

Associate's degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.

License or Certificates:

Valid Oregon driver’s license (or, the ability to obtain by date of hire); must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City’s standard.

Oregon law requires that an out-of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license (with appropriate endorsements) within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).

Possession of, or ability to obtain, ISA Arborist Certification by the end of probationary period.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, ISA TRAQ qualification by the end of probationary period.

Possession of, or ability to acquire, flagger certification by the end of probationary period.

Technical certification(s), or the ability to obtain, may be required for specific positions depending on the area of assignment.

Background

Must pass a background check.

Physical

Must pass a physical assessment and drug test.

The Ideal Candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Arboricultural principles, including tree biology, structure, pruning best practices, and hazard identification.

• Principles of Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) methodologies, including the ability to evaluate defects, likelihood of failure, and potential targets within developed environments.

• Urban forestry operations within a municipal right-of-way, including maintenance practices, use of relevant equipment, hazard response, and public interface considerations.

• Applicable local, state, and federal regulations related to public trees and right-of-way management.

• GIS systems (e.g., ArcGIS) and their application in asset management, mapping, and field data collection.

• Work order and asset management systems used to document, track, and manage service requests and permit program.

• Safe work practices and occupational hazards associated with performing urban forestry fieldwork in and adjacent to the right-of-way.

Ability to:

• Make sound, defensible decisions regarding tree risk, mitigation strategies, and appropriate response actions.

• Communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with the public, including in sensitive or adverse situations.

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other departments, contractors, and community members.

• Work independently in the field while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

• Interpret maps, plans, and right-of-way information to determine tree ownership, responsibility, and jurisdiction.

• Accurately document inspections, decisions, and outcomes using digital systems and tools.

• Apply conflict resolution and customer service skills to navigate public concerns and expectations.

• Adapt to changing priorities, including emergency response and high-demand situations.

• Perform physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

• Wear personal protective equipment as required.

Additional Information

What to Expect from our Selection Process

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training.

The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes.

In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required.

Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment.

Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee.

We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community.

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion wedesireto welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce.

Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.

NOTE: The City of Eugene does not participate in the E-Verify program; therefore, candidates requiring E-Verify for employment authorization will not be eligible for employment with the City.