Job Details

Arborist Assistant Superintendent - Urban Forestry

Department: Public Works – City and County of San Francisco
Job Class: 0932 – Manager IV
Starting Salary: $167,336 – $213,512 (Range A)
Hours: Full‑time
Location: San Francisco, California

About the Role

The Arborist Assistant Superintendent reports directly to the Bureau of Urban Forestry Superintendent and provides strategic leadership for urban forestry, landscape maintenance, and vegetation management across city environments. The position supports the City's greening and sustainability goals by ensuring operational efficiency, fiscal oversight, and compliance with safety standards for more than 100,000 trees in the public right‑of‑way.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide supervisory oversight of level‑two supervisors and their teams.
• Assist in planning, scheduling, and evaluating daily operations and long‑term initiatives in line with bureau policies.
• Develop production goals for tree pruning for internal and contractor crews, evaluate performance, and create operational plans to achieve goals.
• Assess and adjust resource deployment to meet bureau goals.
• Enforce compliance with established safety protocols and training programs.
• Support fiscal oversight by contributing to budget development and monitoring the use of materials, supplies, and mechanical equipment.
• Manage procurement and resource distribution, ensuring necessary materials, vehicles, and equipment are maintained and replaced appropriately.
• Oversee development of interdepartmental work orders and contract proposals; assist with bid evaluations and vendor recommendations.
• Represent the bureau in labor negotiations, inter‑agency coordination, public meetings, and communications with elected officials, community groups, and the public.
• Make public presentations to commissions, boards, and public meetings as required.
• Investigate and resolve complaints, service requests, and operational issues; document findings and propose action plans.
• Conduct field inspections to ensure conformance with performance standards, city codes, and environmental objectives.
• Utilize digital tools to produce operational reports, memos, staff evaluations, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Maintain effective communication through two‑way radios, cell phones, and digital correspondence platforms.
• Participate in citywide emergency response efforts and deploy resources during critical events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Six (6) years of professional‑level experience in arboriculture, urban forestry, or the management of trees.
• Three (3) years of experience supervising journey‑level trades/craft staff performing arboriculture tree services in the public right‑of‑way or land.
• Valid California driver's license.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced degree or bachelor's degree in horticulture, urban forestry, or related field.
• Arborist certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
• Previous professional urban forestry experience in the public sector.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience making public presentations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City and County of San Francisco is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. All applicants will receive the same consideration for employment.