ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST II

Nature of Work

This is responsible, specialized work in plans review and enforcement of city ordinances and accepted standards governing landscaping codes and regulations compliance. Duties include conducting complex field inspections of landscape construction and maintenance performed by contractors; irrigation and landscaping, installation by private contractors for City projects, as well as private developers to ensure compliance with approved landscape plans, specifications and City standards. An employee in this classification is responsible for reviewing development and landscape plans for compliance with the Tree Protection and Zoning Ordinance and for the inspection of new construction and renovation sites to ensure conformance with applicable regulations. This position is responsible for applying knowledge of Best Management Practices and Florida plant materials to inspect trees to determine type, size, age, and quality in order to issue permits for removal, pruning or relocation. Incumbents exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in performing assigned tasks involving inspection of plans, interpretation of and recommendation for changes in legal provisions governing landscaping. This classification is distinguished from the subordinate classification by the scope, complexity and level of the work and projects assigned. Supervision is received from a division head or higher level administrator.

Essential Functions

• Reviews landscape and construction plans, surveys, professional reports and other technical materials to ensure compliance with Best Management Practices, the landscape and tree preservation ordinance.
• Performs field inspections to assess site conditions for compliance with tree preservation, landscaping codes, and ordinances.
• Processes permit applications that include removal, relocation, pruning, root pruning, planting or mitigation of existing trees in both the public right-of-way and private property.
• Ensures that landscape installation, tree removals, pruning and plant materials are in compliance with approved plans, standards and specifications.
• Notifies appropriate party when deficiencies and/or code violations are found; makes recommendations on methods of correction and compliance on private and public property; sets up re-inspections to ensure compliance.
• Provides input in the review of other applications from the Planning and Zoning Department to ensure that new construction or renovation projects meet the landscape code and assists in site design, layout and development.
• Coordinates with other Departments regarding projects involving the installation or transplanting of trees in the public right-of-way or parks.
• Establishes priorities and work schedules in support of tasks received from higher supervision through review of current plans submitted and existing priorities.
• Prepares supporting statistical summaries related to work volume and assignments.
• Tracks plantings to quantify contributions to the City's tree canopy.
• Prepares and dispenses information to the public regarding tree permit processes.
• Enforces relevant landscaping and zoning codes.
• Assists in the identification of City's tree canopy needs and target areas that require the most attention for reforestation.
• Developing public education and awareness projects to inform and support stakeholders regarding the City's tree canopy needs.
• Testifies in court and before related boards, when necessary.
• May supervise technical and administrative staff.
• Responds to complaints and follows departmental procedures for notification, re-inspections and other actions required to ensure compliance.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning or a related field and considerable (2 years) field or inspections experience in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture.
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience beyond a high school diploma or its equivalent and some (6 months) of the required experience.

Special Requirements

• A Valid Driver's License from any state (Equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized upon application, however prior to appointment a State of Florida Driver's License (Class E or higher) must be presented to the Department of Human Resources and maintained valid throughout employment.
• Must have one (1) valid certification from the below listed knowledge-based certifications at the time of application and must maintain it valid while employed in the classification:
  • Landscape Inspector's Association of Florida (LIAF) Certified Horticulture Professional from the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA)
  • Green Industries Best Management Practices Certification from the University of Florida (GI-BMP IFAS)
  • Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as a Certified Arborist

Documentation Requirements

Applicants, including City of Miami employees, must upload and submit attached copies of the following documents with the employment application:

• Proof of education in the form of a transcript showing a minimum of 60 college credits or its equivalent. If degree/diploma does not reflect the academic major on its face, transcripts indicating degree completion must be submitted. Audit/Academic reports are not accepted as substitutions for college transcripts.
• Copy of valid Driver's License from any state (Equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized upon application, however, a State of Florida Driver's License (Class E or higher) is required at time of appointment and must be maintained valid throughout employment.
• To qualify under the equivalency clause, applicant must provide proof of education in one or more of the following applicable forms: copy of high school diploma or equivalent, transcript showing at least 60 college credits, Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree or higher in an unrelated field.
• Foreign diplomas/degrees must be submitted with a credential evaluation report from an approved credential evaluation agency. Translations of diploma/degrees are not accepted. For additional list of approved credential evaluation agencies visit the Florida Department of Education.

Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies: Credential evaluation reports showing the United States equivalency for academic credentials earned in other countries may be provided by: an accredited four-year college or university in the United States, OR a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), OR a current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), OR a recognized Professional Organization.

Selection Preferences

• Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (Member 4) and the applicable FDVA Veteran's Preference Certification Form(s) in accordance with rule 55A-7.013, must be submitted with the employment application.
• City of Miami residents will receive preference in selection from interview ranking bands provided that any two (2) of the following documents are submitted with the employment application and again at time of interview:
  • Utility bill dated within 60 days of the date of submission
  • Valid Florida Driver License or State-issued I.D.
  • Property Tax Statement dated within 1 year of the date of submission
  • Properly executed valid lease agreement
  • Homestead Exemption dated within 1 year of the date of submission
  • Motor Vehicle Registration dated within 90 days of the date of submission
  • Official school records or transcripts, dated within 90 days of the date of submission
  • W-2 (or 1099) Tax Form dated within 1 year of the date of submission
• Selection preference within the same ranking band resulting from an interview process will be granted in the following order: 1) preference eligible veterans, 2) active City of Miami employees, 3) City of Miami residents, 4) all others.