University Urban Forester

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Grounds, the University Urban Forester is responsible for all facets of tree and forest management on the university’s Blacksburg campus and other university‑owned properties within the Commonwealth, including high‑profile areas such as the Old Growth Forest. This highly visible, public‑facing position collaborates with internal and external constituent groups to promote the benefit of trees in urban areas and provide technical expertise and guidance for campus operations.

This position requires an individual who possesses appropriate technical expertise, exceptional problem‑solving and people skills, tactful communication ability, and substantial flexibility and patience.

• 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 developing and implementing a quality‑control program to improve arboricultural operations and ensure high standards of work.
• Reviews plans, advises project‑design team members, and monitors tree health during project design and construction; provides technical direction, including tree protection and prescriptive treatments during pre‑ and post‑construction stages.
• Develops fertilization, insect, and disease control programs for the campus urban forest.
• Provides direction and identifies hazardous trees through 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.
• Works closely with the Design and Construction Design Team, the Office of Sustainability, the University Arboretum Committee, and other stakeholders on all strategic, operational, and tactical tree‑related activities and ensures successful participation in the Tree Campus Higher Education program.
• Establishes community outreach programming with educational components and hands‑on volunteer opportunities to engage Virginia Tech community members in urban forest stewardship.
• Collaborates closely with colleagues on the Grounds team, 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.

• 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 a bachelor’s degree.
• 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; 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; ability to see patterns, think quickly, and make decisions with strong attention to accuracy, detail, and local context.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information, maintain confidentiality, uphold strong personal ethics, and demonstrate 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…