Landscape Inspector at City of Fountain Valley

Job Overview

Administers, monitors, and inspects the work of contractors engaged in the maintenance, construction, and care of City-owned trees, parks, median strips, sports parks, facilities, landscaped areas and other related field maintenance and construction projects.
 
 Conducts field inspections to verify compliance with City landscape maintenance and construction contracts.
 
 Operates a personal computer to access information and utilizes common business applications.
 
 Analyzes complex landscaping problems, evaluates alternatives, recommend or implement effective courses of action.
 
 Prepares clear and concise records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
 
 Responds to public inquiries and requests.
 
 Ensures contractor adherence to safe work practices, City standards and procedures.
 
 Assists in the development of specifications, including estimating labor and materials and determining installation and repair methods.
  
 Supervises and monitors through contract services City’s Integrated Pest Management Program.
  
 Implements and monitors the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
  
 Serves as the City's arborist and provides professional advice regarding all aspects of urban forestry including but not limited to, administers routine maintenance programs, removal and reforestation policies, maintains tree inventory, desirable parkway tree species lists and tree trimming schedules.
  
 Obtains proposals/bids and assists with the selection and evaluation of vendors for a variety of landscape maintenance contracts and projects. 
 
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES
 
 Requisition supplies and equipment.
 
 Perform other duties as assigned.
 

Qualification Guidelines

EDUCATION
High school graduation or equivalent is required.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

A minimum of three years of responsible landscape maintenance and construction experience in parks, sports parks, facilities, medians, slopes, greenbelts, and other landscaped areas.  

Two years of accredited college or university courses in public works administration, contract management, horticulture practices, construction technology, or a closely related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred
 
EXPERIENCE
 Previous contract administration experience in large-scale landscape maintenance and/or construction is highly desirable, preferably in a municipal setting.

Previous supervisory experience is highly desirable.
 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVELS
 
Related work hazards and common safety rules, practices and procedures as they apply to Public Works construction and maintenance.
  
 Conducts field inspections of landscaped areas; evaluate field problems; authorize changes or repairs as required.
 Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, City officials, contractors, and the public.
  
 Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  
 Understands and follows written and verbal instructions.
  
 Safely operates a motor vehicle.
 
 Knowledge of CA-MUTCD Traffic Control as it relates to the position.
  
 Plans, coordinates, and supervises unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers.
 
 Methods and techniques of proper landscaping, construction, maintenance, irrigation and other related practices including planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning and maintaining a variety of turf, ground cover, plants, shrubs, hedges and trees.
 
 Current laws, regulations, and codes pertinent to landscape maintenance and construction; herbicide, pesticide and fertilizer selection and application.
  
 Use and maintenance of a variety of tools and equipment used in tree maintenance; aerial trucks, chippers, root pruners, stump grinders, augers, hand tools, small equipment and other landscape related equipment.
 
 General horticulture, arboriculture, urban forestry, soil management, pest management, irrigation and water management.
 
 Soil characteristics and treatment procedures.
 
 Landscape and irrigation design, plan check procedures; contract development, bid preparation and administration.
 
 Project management, proper written and verbal communication skills.
 
 Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment including hardware and software applications.
 
 Principles and practices of record keeping.
 
 Basic report preparation and presentation.
 
 Installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems.
  
 City landscape policies and procedures.
 
 City tree policies and procedures.
  
 Methods and techniques used in estimating time and materials for assigned projects.
 
 
REQUISITE ABILITIES:
 
Understands and carries out verbal and written instructions.
  
 Prepares and maintains schedules, reports, and records.
  
 Lifts and carries heavy objects safely.
  
 Inspects work in progress and upon completion.
  
 Reads and interprets plans, blueprints and work specifications.
  
 Estimates material, equipment, and labor costs.
 
 Coordinates, evaluates and interprets the specifications, codes, policies and procedures controlling landscape maintenance and construction contracts including the work of staff and outside contractors.
 
 Reads and interprets data, information and documents.
 
 Interprets and implements policies and procedures.
 
 Use of advanced mathematics and mathematical reasoning.
 
 Works under deadlines with constant interruptions.
 
 Interacts with the general public, outside organizations, business representatives, employees, and others encountered in the course of work, including the resolution of conflict situations.
 
 Assists other City staff with landscape related issues.

LICENSE REQUIRED
 
Possession of a valid Class “C” California Driver's License and an acceptable driving record. 
Possession of or ability to obtain within the required probationary period, a certified arborist certificate from the International Society of Arboriculture. 
Possession of or ability to obtain within the required probationary period, a National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certificate.
 
 Maintain, at all times, all licenses and certifications required for this job classification.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Incumbents have the option to participate in a standby-duty schedule for periodic call-outs during off-time hours. Standby duties may include; assist or perform public area clean-up, emergency response, minor repairs or storm damage situations.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
 Work is performed outdoors with full exposure to the elements but will also include working indoors in an office environment.
 
 Performs strenuous physical labor for moderate periods of time requiring physical strength and endurance; drive a City vehicle on City business; operate motorized equipment and machinery; may work under damp conditions and in confined spaces and, therefore, may work on slippery and uneven surfaces; crouch, sit, stand, walk, bend, crawl, kneel, pull, reach, push, twist, climb ladders and sloping surfaces, grasp, drag, lift and carry items weighing 15 to 45 pounds; may be exposed to dust, pollen, grass, dirt, chemicals, solvents, paint, grease/oil, fumes, electrical and mechanical hazards, vehicular traffic, vibration and noise, work with machinery; meet the physical requirements of the class and have mobility, vision, hearing, dexterity and use of both hands and legs appropriate to the duties to be performed.

 
NOTE:
 
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.
 
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT DESIGNATION:
 
Non-exempt

Recruitment Information

SELECTION PROCESS: The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance test, written test and/or oral interview examination. The employment application, qualifying information questions and/or supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above.