- Agency
- City of East Lansing
- Location
- East Lansing, Michigan
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- $55,551 - $80,558
- Last Date to Apply
- 10/15/2023
- Website
- https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/Jobs
- Description
- Are you looking to break into the environmental field but can’t stand the thought of sitting at a desk all day? Or are you a seasoned forestry, soil erosion, or natural resources professional that’s tired of driving to sites all over the state and looking for more work-life balance? If so, join the City of East Lansing’s Department of Public Works team as our Natural Resources Technician and work at the forefront of some of our most important and pressing environmental challenges! SUMMARY Your primary tasks? Expanding the tree canopy and preventing water pollution. The city maintains nearly 10,000 street trees, and with the help of our contracted arborists and your supervisor you’ll make plans of action for maintenance, treatment, removal, and planting of City street and park trees. We’re currently instituting a large-scale block pruning and planting program, and you will oversee the work, address on-site challenges, and help communicate forestry activity to our residents. You’ll inspect storm damage, investigate resident concerns, do long-term canopy planning, and help us protect existing trees through ordinance enforcement. The City has contractors do the pruning, removal, and other major tree work, so while you may do some minor pruning of young trees here and there, you’ll be informing a contractor of what we need done rather than performing it yourself. You do not need to be a tree expert at the start, but you’ll surely end up as one. During construction season, you’ll spend a good portion of your day performing soil erosion inspections at a variety of public and private projects, everything from large commercial developments to local road reconstruction. Soil erosion and off-site sedimentation is a major waterway pollutant and surrogate for other contaminants, and the City must maintain and compel compliance with City and State soil erosion regulations. You should be skilled at polite, professional, but firm communication to keep construction crews working in accordance with approved plans and soil out of our rivers and drains. While forestry and soil erosion are a primary focus of the role, you’ll also be involved in stormwater management, recycling programs, sustainability efforts, and general environmental programming. ABOUT US The City of East Lansing is committed to becoming a fully inclusive anti-racist place to live work, visit and do business. We believe an organization functions at its highest ability when a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, income, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds is fostered. We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to equity and inclusion and reflect the community we serve. East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is a dynamic community of nearly 50,000 people with historic neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown, and you will be part of the team that keeps it all running. The Department of Public Works & Environmental Services (DPW) manages streets, sanitation, trees, water, sewer, and more, and staff are committed to making East Lansing a great place to live, study and work. WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY? • Competitive salary with annual cost of living increases. • Retirement program including a hybrid pension (10% of salary) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. • $1,000 annual employer contribution to post-employment Health Care Savings Plan. • 13 paid holidays and 25 days of paid time off. • Low-premium health coverage (or receive a $150 monthly buy-out if you have coverage from another source), with family dental and vision plan premiums fully covered by the City. • Life insurance of 2x annual salary with optional supplemental coverage; Long Term Disability coverage. • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to use pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health and daycare expenses. • An Employee Assistance Program, offering free confidential counseling and support for employees and their families. • Qualify for “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” which forgives eligible student loans for borrowers who work at least ten years in public service! • An ever-changing work environment! In the dynamic world of Public Works, each day presents new and exciting challenges that keep your work fresh, engaging, and stimulating.
- Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree with major course work in natural resource management, environmental sciences, forestry, or related discipline is desired. If the role fits your skill set and experience and you do not have a degree, you are still encouraged to apply. Demonstrated project management skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are key. You should be comfortable working outside, on construction sites, and have strong familiarity with Outlook, Excel, Word, and other typical computer programs and applications. Ability to obtain EGLE Construction Stormwater Operator and Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector certification within 6 months of employment is required. Training towards or certification as an arborist is not required but would be a valuable asset to the position. You will have the opportunity for paid training and certification as well.
- Contact Person
- Human Resources
- Contact eMail
- HR@cityofeastlansing.com
