Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
University Urban Forester
Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Blacksburg, Virginia, us, 24062
Overview
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University Urban Forester
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Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Job no: 534232 Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Categories: Agriculture / Life Science, Facilities / Skilled Trades, Other, Natural Resources Responsibilities
Oversees, develops, and implements all aspects of urban forest management and arboriculture practices on University campus properties. Supervises the daily operations of the Campus Tree Pruning Crew, including the development and implementation of a quality control program to improve arboricultural operations and ensure high standards of work. Reviews plans, advising project design team members, and monitoring tree health during project design and construction. Provides technical direction, including tree protection and prescriptive treatments to ensure the best possible conditions for trees pre- and post-construction. Develops fertilization, insect, and disease control programs for the campus urban forest. Provides direction and identifies hazardous trees through the development and application of tree risk management and mitigation planning. Maintains a comprehensive GIS dataset to facilitate responsible management of all urban forest assets on University properties and lands, including periodic assessments of tree canopy cover, maintenance of tree inventory data, and monitoring of urban forest condition and performance. Collaborates with the Design and Construction Design Team, the Office of Sustainability, the University Arboretum Committee, and other stakeholders on strategic, operational, and tactical tree-related activities; ensures participation in the Tree Campus Higher Education program. Establishes community outreach programs with educational components and hands-on volunteer opportunities to engage Virginia Tech community members in urban forest stewardship. Works closely with Grounds team colleagues, including the University Landscape Architect, Grounds Operations Supervisor, and Landscape Care and Maintenance Supervisor. Develops mission-oriented projects and solicits grant-funded support. Develops and implements a tree planting program that supports campus tree canopy and sustainability goals. Develops policies and standards that promote tree health and urban forest sustainability. Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or related field (including formal coursework in urban forestry and arboricultural techniques) OR training and experience that equates to bachelor’s degree. ISA (International Society of Arboriculture), ISA Certified Arborist OR ISA Urban Forest Professional. ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Demonstrated experience managing tree planting, pruning, removal, health care, and related safety functions as well as operating and maintaining a tree inventory database using GIS and GPS. Exceptional writing and effective communication skills, interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies. Demonstrated experience researching and preparing technically complex executive level documents, position papers, reports, proposals, and presentations. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with ability to see patterns, be a fast thinker, and make decisions with strong attention to accuracy, detail, and local context. Demonstrated ability to successfully handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality, strong personal ethics commitment, and demonstrated sound judgment. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects; excellent organizational, leadership, and delegation skills; and ability to work collaboratively. Must have strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests. Strong mediation or conflict resolution skills to manage complex situations impacting multiple constituents that may have competing interests. Demonstrated commitment to exceptionally responsive, consistent, and transparent service delivery to all campus constituents. Champions a responsive workforce that embraces a culture of continuous improvement, self-assessment, and accountability in a dynamic environment. Deploys, accepts, and acts on all mechanisms of customer feedback to achieve results and effect change. Fast learner, result driven, accepts and acts on all forms of feedback to effect change. Demonstrated high proficiency with current office software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database management systems, electronic mail, and presentation applications. This position is designated as “Emergency Personnel”. Must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to provide support during planned or emergency situations or events to include being physically on site if deemed necessary. Preferred Qualifications
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist certification VADACS Licensed Pesticide Applicator 3-A Supervisory experience Experience managing a large population of trees in a commercial, institutional, or municipal setting Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia procurement and/or contracting procedures Understanding of planning, infrastructure, and facilities issues and operations Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations Experience with Tree Campus Higher Education programming Pay and Benefits
Pay Band: 5 Salary Information: $72,000 - $78,500; commensurate with experience Hours per week: 40 Overtime Status: Exempt: Not eligible for overtime Appointment Type
Regular Review Date
October 1, 2025 Additional Information
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship. Licensure and Certification Required for Entry Into Position: Driver’s License; ISA Certified Arborist OR ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional; ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Employment Conditions: Must have valid driver’s license; criminal background check; Emergency Personnel availability; work hours may vary; travel may be required; PPE usage; respirator use could be required; annual health and safety medical check could be required. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Facilities Human Resources at opshr-g@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event. Advertised: September 17, 2025 Applications close: Open until filled
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Join to apply for the
University Urban Forester
role at
Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Job no: 534232 Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Categories: Agriculture / Life Science, Facilities / Skilled Trades, Other, Natural Resources Responsibilities
Oversees, develops, and implements all aspects of urban forest management and arboriculture practices on University campus properties. Supervises the daily operations of the Campus Tree Pruning Crew, including the development and implementation of a quality control program to improve arboricultural operations and ensure high standards of work. Reviews plans, advising project design team members, and monitoring tree health during project design and construction. Provides technical direction, including tree protection and prescriptive treatments to ensure the best possible conditions for trees pre- and post-construction. Develops fertilization, insect, and disease control programs for the campus urban forest. Provides direction and identifies hazardous trees through the development and application of tree risk management and mitigation planning. Maintains a comprehensive GIS dataset to facilitate responsible management of all urban forest assets on University properties and lands, including periodic assessments of tree canopy cover, maintenance of tree inventory data, and monitoring of urban forest condition and performance. Collaborates with the Design and Construction Design Team, the Office of Sustainability, the University Arboretum Committee, and other stakeholders on strategic, operational, and tactical tree-related activities; ensures participation in the Tree Campus Higher Education program. Establishes community outreach programs with educational components and hands-on volunteer opportunities to engage Virginia Tech community members in urban forest stewardship. Works closely with Grounds team colleagues, including the University Landscape Architect, Grounds Operations Supervisor, and Landscape Care and Maintenance Supervisor. Develops mission-oriented projects and solicits grant-funded support. Develops and implements a tree planting program that supports campus tree canopy and sustainability goals. Develops policies and standards that promote tree health and urban forest sustainability. Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or related field (including formal coursework in urban forestry and arboricultural techniques) OR training and experience that equates to bachelor’s degree. ISA (International Society of Arboriculture), ISA Certified Arborist OR ISA Urban Forest Professional. ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Demonstrated experience managing tree planting, pruning, removal, health care, and related safety functions as well as operating and maintaining a tree inventory database using GIS and GPS. Exceptional writing and effective communication skills, interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies. Demonstrated experience researching and preparing technically complex executive level documents, position papers, reports, proposals, and presentations. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with ability to see patterns, be a fast thinker, and make decisions with strong attention to accuracy, detail, and local context. Demonstrated ability to successfully handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality, strong personal ethics commitment, and demonstrated sound judgment. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects; excellent organizational, leadership, and delegation skills; and ability to work collaboratively. Must have strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests. Strong mediation or conflict resolution skills to manage complex situations impacting multiple constituents that may have competing interests. Demonstrated commitment to exceptionally responsive, consistent, and transparent service delivery to all campus constituents. Champions a responsive workforce that embraces a culture of continuous improvement, self-assessment, and accountability in a dynamic environment. Deploys, accepts, and acts on all mechanisms of customer feedback to achieve results and effect change. Fast learner, result driven, accepts and acts on all forms of feedback to effect change. Demonstrated high proficiency with current office software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database management systems, electronic mail, and presentation applications. This position is designated as “Emergency Personnel”. Must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to provide support during planned or emergency situations or events to include being physically on site if deemed necessary. Preferred Qualifications
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist certification VADACS Licensed Pesticide Applicator 3-A Supervisory experience Experience managing a large population of trees in a commercial, institutional, or municipal setting Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia procurement and/or contracting procedures Understanding of planning, infrastructure, and facilities issues and operations Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations Experience with Tree Campus Higher Education programming Pay and Benefits
Pay Band: 5 Salary Information: $72,000 - $78,500; commensurate with experience Hours per week: 40 Overtime Status: Exempt: Not eligible for overtime Appointment Type
Regular Review Date
October 1, 2025 Additional Information
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship. Licensure and Certification Required for Entry Into Position: Driver’s License; ISA Certified Arborist OR ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional; ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Employment Conditions: Must have valid driver’s license; criminal background check; Emergency Personnel availability; work hours may vary; travel may be required; PPE usage; respirator use could be required; annual health and safety medical check could be required. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Facilities Human Resources at opshr-g@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event. Advertised: September 17, 2025 Applications close: Open until filled
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