Urban and Community Forestry Lead (Strategy Advisor 2)

Position Description
Seattle City Light's Vegetation Management organizational unit is looking for an Urban and Community Forestry Lead to join the team. This position will be responsible for developing the utility's Urban and Community Forestry Program , building on its current portfolio of projects, to encompass the ever-expanding scope of work that lies at the intersection of Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) and Utility Vegetation Management (UVM). A new position at City Light, this role will help define the Program's direction and goals as the Utility seeks to address wildfire prevention/mitigation, Climate Change impacts/mitigation, invasive-species management/mitigation, environmental justice issues, emerging technology, and community outreach and engagement, as they pertain to UCF and UVM.
Job Responsibilities
Here is more about what you'll be doing:

• Participating as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) representing SCL on inter/intra agency teams such as the SCL internal Wildfire Mitigation Team and similar teams @ King County and WA Dept. of Natural Resources, and the City of Seattle Urban Forestry Core Team.
• Serve as the SME and System Administrator for Veg Mgmt. Compliance Software project, utilizing GeoDigital Inc.'s VegWorks platform, a digital work-management, mobile workforce and NERC-compliance software product which is currently being deployed across the Veg Mgmt. and Generation Operations org. units.
• Ongoing expansion of equitable community connection initiatives for co-management of the Transmission rights-of-ways, including the maturation of existing programs and coordination with the Env. Land and Licensing Business Unit on the Skagit FERC Relicensing project.
• Evaluating, informing and strategic planning around technology adoption and implementation/coordination. Current initiatives include perusing enterprise acquisition and processing of LiDAR, exploring satellite remote sensing for fire fuel load and vegetation clearance analysis on the Transmission Rights of Way, exploring UAV ("drone") based data collection and herbicide application, and supporting mobile workforce platform deployment.
• Expansion of ongoing env. equity/justice mitigation work, including analyzing climate change adaptation (tree replacement, equitable investments in traditionally underserved communities, heat-island impacts, etc.) and incorporating the social valuation of the benefits of access to nature.
• Data gap analysis, data acquisition and management and data analysis to inform program evolution across the Vegetation Management Org. unit. Assisting in framing and executing the move from a traditional, reactive and/or cyclical management regime to one that is data-driven, need-based and more informed by a metric-based adaptive-management model.
• Supervision of two support positions to the program: an "Arboriculturist" position and a "Transmission Sustainability Forester" position, which will report directly to the Lead. The Arboriculturist represents the current and historic UCF work done within the org. unit, and the Trans. Forester role was conceived to build out the UCF program work focused on the Transmission ROW.
• Driving of City Light vehicles as needed for job duties.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications: In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Mgmt., Environmental Equity, or a combination of formal education and lived/worked experience equivalent to it.

Experience:

• 3+ years' experience working in a technical/analytical capacity with GIS (specifically ESRI based) data and products, technical writing/editing, LiDAR and/or other remote sensing technologies,
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft and Adobe office suites.
• Organizational Change Management training and professional experience.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing and developing projects from inception through to execution, either in a formal Project Manager role or in an informal project lead role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor both to meet the needs of the intended audience.
• Strong understanding of Environmental Equity issues, particularly as they pertain to Utility Veg Mgmt.

Certification/License: WA state driver's license.
Additional Information
Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Strategic thinking/planning/visioning and analytical mindset.
• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist designation
• Skills in personnel development/management,
• A working vision of the potential for Utility Veg Management to engage and positively impact the communities served by and living amongst utility infrastructure, and the ability to articulate and implement that vision.
• Experience with community outreach and engagement and co-development/management of projects and initiatives with stakeholders
• A "Team" mindset and the ability to collaborate with a wide and diverse set of coworkers, industry peers and community, to articulate and achieve collective goals.
• Experience with Geo Digital Inc.'s Work Studio platform for utility veg. mgmt.
• Experience successfully pursuing alternative funding opportunities such as grants.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice .

Application Process
Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The full salary range for this position is $47.85 - $71.80 per hour.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance , SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 . A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020 . Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: http://www.seattle.gov/light/ .

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Closing Date/Time: 9/12/2023 4:00 PM Pacific