Careers at Virginia Tech

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 various other university-owned properties within the commonwealth, including high-profile areas such as the Old Growth Forest.

This is a highly visible, public-facing position, collaborating with internal and external constituent groups to promote the benefit of trees in urban areas as well as provide technical expertise and guidance for campus operations.

This position requires an individual that possesses the appropriate technical expertise as well as exceptional problem solving and people skills, tactful communicative ability, and substantial flexibility and patience.

Specific responsibilities include:
• 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 the development and implementation of a quality control program to improve arboricultural operations and ensure high standards of work.
• Reviews plans, advising project design team members, and monitoring tree health during project design and construction. Providing technical direction, including tree protection and prescriptive treatments to ensure the best possible conditions for the trees to be maintained at all project stages pre- and post-construction.
• Develops fertilization, insect, and disease control programs for the campus urban forest.
• Providing direction and identifying hazardous trees, through development and application of tree risk management and mitigation planning.
• Maintaining 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.
• Working 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 ensuring successful participation in the Tree Campus Higher Education program.
• Establishing community outreach programming with educational components and hands-on volunteer opportunities to engage Virginia Tech community members in urban forest stewardship.
• Close collaboration with colleagues on the Grounds team, including the University Landscape Architect, Grounds Operations Supervisor, and Landscape Care and Maintenance Supervisor.
• Development of mission-oriented projects and solicitation of grant-funded support.
• Develop and implement a tree planting program that supports campus tree canopy and sustainability goals
• Develop policies and standards that promote tree health and urban forest sustainability

The incumbent must be detail, action, solution, and results oriented and dedicated to continuous improvement. The incumbent is expected to fulfill identified responsibilities independently while maintaining effective communication with university leadership.

This position is designated as Emergency Personnel.

• 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 bachelor’s degree.
• ISA (International Society of Arboriculture), 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 as well as 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, with ability to see patterns, be a fast thinker, and make decisions with strong attention to accuracy, detail, and local context.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality, strong personal ethics commitment, and demonstrated 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 conflict resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests.
• Strong mediation or conflict resolution skills to manage complex situations impacting multiple constituents that may have competing interests.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptionally responsive, consistent, and transparent service delivery to all campus constituents. Champions a responsive workforce that embraces a culture of continuous improvement, self-assessment, and accountability in a dynamic environment. Deploys, accepts, and acts on all mechanisms of customer feedback to achieve results and effect change.
• Fast learner, result driven, accepts and acts on all forms of feedback to effect change.
• Demonstrated high proficiency with current office software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database management systems, electronic mail, and presentation applications.
• The position is designated as “Emergency Personnel”. Must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to provide support during planned or emergency situations or events to include being physically on site if deemed necessary.

• ISA Board Certified Master Arborist certification
• VADACS Licensed Pesticide Applicator 3-A
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience managing a large population of trees in a commercial, institutional, or municipal setting.in a large commercial, public sector, or university setting.
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Virginia procurement and/or contracting procedures.
• Understanding of planning, infrastructure, and facilities issues and operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Experience with Tree Campus Higher Education programming.

5

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$72,000 - $78,500; commensurate with experience

40

October 1, 2025

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Licensure and Certification required for entry into position:
• Driver’s License
• ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist OR ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification

Employment Conditions:
• Must have valid driver’s license
• Must have a driver’s license and criminal background check
• This position is designated as “Emergency Personnel”. Must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to provide support during planned events or emergency situations (such as inclement weather) to include being physically on site if deemed necessary.
• Work hours are normally Monday - Friday 7:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m. During periods of inclement weather, emergency situations or for special projects, may work a modified schedule and additional hours to meet the needs of the department.
• ISA Certified Arborist: Urban Forest Professional Certification within one (1) year of employment ISA Board Certified Master Arborist certification within five years of employment
• This position meets the criteria for issuance of a mobile communication device (such as radio, cell-phone, I-pad, I-pod, pager, etc.). Devices issued are the responsibility of the employee and are to be returned in satisfactory condition upon separation of employment. Devices are to be used according to supervisor instruction and according to relevant policies.
• Must be able to safely and frequently move and handle heavy objects weighing 50 pounds or more; ability to climb and work from elevated work stations such as ladders and scaffolds; ability to work for long periods of time standing, walking, reaching, bending, pushing/pulling; ability to communicate effectively, have good team work skills, and be able to understand, comprehend and follow directions in the workplace.
• Must be able to work in all types of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.
• Will be required to operate a motor vehicle daily.
• May be required to work additional hours/shifts to meet the needs of the department.
• Ability to travel to on-campus and off-campus locations, with occasional overnight travel.
• As situation dictates, must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Use/wearing of a respirator could be required.
• Annual health and safety medical check could be required.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.