Urban Forestry and Property Inspector

Posting Type: Open Competitive

Work Type: Full-Time

Nature of Work: This is inspection work in the enforcement of the Omaha Municipal Code, including, but not limited to, Chapters 18 - Nuisances, and 37 - Trees and Vegetation. An incumbent in this classification is responsible for conducting field inspections to determine whether violations of City Codes or City Contract Specifications have occurred; processing notices to property owners, residents, contractors, or other responsible parties to correct the violations; and may to arrange for corrective action and having the responsible parties billed for violations not corrected. The incumbent works independently in the field, explains ordinances and contract provisions to property owners, residents and contractors' representatives, and is responsible for making independent decisions, subject to periodic review by superiors.

Education and Experience: The knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through, but are not limited to, the following combination of education and/or experience.

High school diploma or its equivalent
AND
Five (5) years of experience in arboriculture.

Special Qualifications: Must possess and maintain a valid class "O" automobile driver's license. Must be able to work varying schedules, including weekends and overtime. Must have and retain a City of Omaha Arborist's License and be an Arborist Certified by the Nebraska Arborist Association or the International Society of Arboriculture. Must obtain a current category 04 Certified Federal and State of Nebraska Pesticide Applicator's Certificate, and a First Aid/CPR certification by the end of the probationary period.

Pay Range: $25.55 with step increases to $32.54 Hourly

Benefits: Forty-hour work week. Paid leave per year: twelve days vacation; eighteen days sick; and fourteen holidays. Employee's group health insurance, including major medical, vision, and dental, for individual or family. Defined benefit pension plan, plus Social Security, and more. See hr.cityofomaha.org for detailed information.

Who Can Apply: Any person who meets the qualifications and other requirements described in this posting.

How to Apply: Completed City of Omaha employment applications must be submitted using the online application from the City website. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to check and ensure that any and all required application materials and supplemental forms are received by the City of Omaha Human Resources Department by the stated deadline. You may confirm receipt of any materials and forms by contacting the Human Resources Department. If the materials are not received in the Human Resources Department by the stated deadline, they will not be considered. There will be no exceptions to this rule. If you do not meet the requirements at the time of this posting, once you do meet the requirements you may apply when it is posted again.

Examination Information: The multiple-choice/written examination will be on a date to be determined at the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center, 1819 Farnam St. An invitation via email to the exam will be given to candidates once their application has been received, reviewed by a recruiter, and accepted to the test for the position. The test is designed to assess knowledge of the job, skills, and abilities of this position. The passing score on the examination is 60%. This will be weighted 100% in the final score.

Veteran Points: To claim five (5) points for veteran's preference, you must submit proof of service (such as a DD-214) that includes the date of induction, date of honorable separation, and Social Security number. (You must have completed more than 180 consecutive days of active duty.) To receive an additional five (5) points credit for disability, you must submit proof of eligibility from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs dated within the last 12 months. This information must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by December 30, 2024.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Knowledge of and ability to operate a computer or other technology using standard or customized computer or systems software applications appropriate to the assigned tasks.
* Knowledge of the locations of city streets.
* Ability to learn and adapt to advances in computer and electronics device technology and software.
* Ability to learn the inspection procedures used in the enforcement of weed and litter, tree and vegetation, and vehicle storage ordinances.
* Ability to identify violations of City Codes, including but not limited to those pertaining to weeds, trees, and other vegetation, vehicular litter, and sediment and erosion control.
* Ability to learn to read plat books, use the Douglas County Real Estate database, and perform routine abstract work.
* Ability to learn to use the GIS database to prepare for inspections and to incorporate the information into reports.
* Ability to compile reports and present the data from information obtained through inspection work.
* Ability to conduct investigations and condition assessments, assist outside parties with investigations and condition assessments, and compile appropriate documentation of investigations and condition assessments in accordance with standard procedures.
* Ability to communicate successfully and build working relationships with contractors, industrial representatives, other governmental officials, and members of the public.
* Ability to understand oral or written instructions.
* Ability to adhere to safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.
* Ability to learn and apply the City ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies relating to weed and litter removal, as well as the ordinances pertaining to trees and shrubs.
* Ability to identify tree, shrub, and weed species and the causes of tree and shrub damage or death.
* Ability to determine the optimum remedial action to take to resolve tree and shrub damage.
* Ability to negotiate and moderate interactions with with civilians who may be upset and confrontational.

Essential Functions: Any one position may not perform all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all of the duties that may be performed in positions allocated to this class.

* Receives complaints concerning violations of the Omaha Municipal Code relating to nuisance weeds, litter, vehicles, trees, or shrubs on public or private property in the City.
* Inspects and evaluates trees on both private and City-owned properties for hazardous conditions.
* Trims City trees or coordinates with tree trimmers to correct issues, restore line of sight, and remove hazards.
* Responds to storm damage and other reported tree damage, including documentation and evaluation of conditions. Prepares reports for claims, assists in scheduling and prioritizing storm damage actions.
* Determines ownership of the properties containing violations by consulting the Douglas County Real Estate computer database, and the City Geographic Information System (GIS) database, conducts investigations, ascertains the responsible parties, notifies responsible parties of the nature of the complaints and of the timetable for their resolution.
* Reinspects properties after the compliance due dates to ensure that violations have been addressed and approves work orders for their corrective action if the violations have not been corrected within the notice periods.
* Updates work orders of unresolved violations, ensures the violations are corrected, and computes the charges to the responsible parties.
* Prepares reports and maintains records of inspections conducted and work performed.
* Responds to questions from the public concerning notices or billings for services or violations such as weed and litter removal, tree or shrub conditions or locations, recycling, and yard waste programs.
* Assists in the administration of special programs such as the annual Garden Releaf program, and approving locations of garden plots to effect optimum use of empty lots in the City, tree planting locations to replenish tree stock, and trash receptacles to remove unwanted items from homes and yards so that they do not become litter problems.
* Coordinates recycling of plastic, paper, tires, and metal to properly dispose of/recycle found debris.
* Locates and identifies homeless camps and communicates with homeless individuals for reporting purposes.
* Coordinates with the Police and Law Departments to prepare legal documents and acquire signed search warrants.
* Coordinates with Police department to identify and survey illegal dumping sites.
* Represents the Department at meetings of the Board of Appeals and Board of Equalization.
* Coordinates with utility and railroad companies to address power line and abutting property issues.
* Performs office and field duties related to the collection and assessment of data associated with violations found during investigations.
* May act as a lead worker, including training other staff as assigned.
* Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor.
* Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification.

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of permanent residence or authorization to work. The City of Omaha reserves the right to conduct criminal history, driving record, reference and credit checks and a background investigation on applicants for employment. Successfully passing a criminal background review, reference check, and if applicable, a credit check, is required as a condition of employment. If applicable, the City will require that you successfully pass a review of the driver's license, driving abstract, a pre-employment drug test, a hearing test and a back screening examination as a condition of employment. Failure to provide the information requested in the application process in a truthful, accurate and complete manner may result in disqualification, revocation of conditional employment or termination.

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Omaha does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need a disability-related accommodation during the job application or selection process, advise the Human Resources Department at least 48 hours prior to the need by emailing employment@cityofomaha.org.

For a complete description of this job classification, visit hr.cityofomaha.org

Contact Points:

City of Omaha Human Resources Department
1819 Farnam St, Suite 506
Omaha, NE 68183

Phone: (402) 444-5300
Fax: (402) 444-5314

Website: hr.cityofomaha.org
Email: employment@cityofomaha.org