Urban Forester Crew Chief

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 Crew Chief executes the day-to-day operations for all tree planting, care and related activities in the Tree Planting Department, including the management/oversight of Tree Planting Crew members and their daily tasks. The position is also responsible for use, maintenance, inventory and management of all vehicles, tools and equipment. The Crew Chief reports to the Urban Forestry Manager and interfaces with members of other departments in the execution of their work.  The incumbent maintains a general knowledge of best practices in horticulture, forestry, and urban forestry in order to achieve the mission of Casey Trees.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Range: $63,000-70,000 annually 

Benefits: Full benefits including health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance as well as a flexible spending account (FSA), paid holidays, paid time off, and a retirement plan 403 (b).   

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are representative for the Crew Chief in its entirety – including but not limited to:

Supervision & Field Operations Management

• Directs and evaluates work outputs of tree planting crews
• Ensures adherence to organizational policies and procedures including, but not limited to: attendance, timeliness, conduct, professionalism, appearance, customer service, etc.
• Supports the UFM with personnel management including, but not limited to: onboarding, training, performance evaluation, timesheets, critical feedback and discipline
• Promotes a safety culture by coordinating staff trainings and eliminating/controlling hazardous conditions resulting from human error, equipment and machine operations that may lead to human injury and/or property damage

General Functions

• Selects, delivers, plants, prunes, inventories, waters, and cares for trees
• Operates trucks, trailers, heavy machinery, and hand and power tools in a safe manner
• Conducts regular vehicle, equipment and tool maintenance, including office, landscape and grounds upkeep, as directed
• Provides exceptional customer service for internal and external stakeholders
• Assists with tree procurement activities including sourcing, invoicing, deliveries, inventory and reconciliation
• Provides logistical support during trainings, classes, workshops, tours, demonstrations, etc.
• Collaborates across the organization
• Connects people to trees
• Performs other duties, as requested

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 seldom 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, year-round position. The schedule will be determined based on planting seasons and volunteer demands. The incumbent must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours when needed.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out of the area travel and overnights may be expected.  

Required Qualifications

• One (1) year of work experience in horticulture, landscaping, forestry, urban forestry or related field
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and experience and ability to safely drive work vehicles including a pickup truck and trailer
• Good 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
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of supervisory experience managing field crews of diverse backgrounds and skill levels
• Arborists’ certification from the International Society of Arboriculture

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Casey Trees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.