By-Law Officer, Forestry

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Forestry Planning & Permits, this role provides an opportunity to help shape and protect Mississauga’s urban forest through by-law enforcement, tree permit administration, and technical review of development, construction, utility, and road occupancy activities. The successful candidate will play a key role in preserving public and private trees, supporting sustainable growth, and ensuring projects are planned and delivered in a way that protects tree health, community character, and the City’s long-term urban canopy goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

•    Administer the tree permit process associated with Residential, Devlopment, Public Utilities Coordinating Committee (PUCC), Road Occupancy Permits and internal projects;
•    Review tree permit applications, Arborist reports, tree inventories, preservation plans, encroachment agreements, consent to enters, park access permits, committee of adjustments and pre-pool installations;
•    Evaluation & interpretation of development applications associated with site plans, building permits and rezoning applications;
•    Determine permit fees, replacement tree securities, tree removal/pruning fees, tree preservation securities and public tree appraisals;
•    Tree preservation recommendations;
•    Tree security release;
•    Enforce compliance under public and private tree protection, encroachment, parks by-laws as complaints are received from the public, Councillors and internal staff;
•    Investigate, research and collection of evidence involving on site inspections and oral investigations;
•    Prepare orders, take witness statements, prepare a prosecution brief and prepare a Part 3 Summons;
•    Give evidence, Liaise with Prosecutions to determine fines;
•    Provide expert professional consultative services under the Property Standards By-law pertaining to tree related issues & hazardous conditions;
•    Completion of a Tree Evaluation and Tree Risk Assessment forms;
•    Attend appeal hearings;
•    Respond to written and verbal inquiries from internal and external agencies. This includes Development & Design, Planning & Building, Transportation & Works, Legal Services, Parks Planning, Parks Development, Tree companies, developers, residents, utility companies and Councillors;
•    Write and administer contracts;
•    Provides supervision, direction to appropriate contractors. Monitors contractors through site inspections. Conducts final inspections to ensure work has been completed to contract specifications;
•    Works with levels of government and agencies (municipal, provincial, federal, CVC) to reclaim our natural areas;
•    Collect, maintain, record and analyze field data on encroachments and their impacts on adjacent parkland, greenbelts and woodlots.

Skills and Qualifications

•    A diploma or degree in Forestry and Arboriculture from a recognized institution with 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in Urban Forestry. An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered;
•    A thorough knowledge and understanding of arboricultural theories and practices;
•    International Society of Arboriculture Certification (ISA) is a requirement or must obtain within 3 months;
•    Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) is considered an asset;
•    Obtain By-law Core Competency Certification is a requirement or must within 3 months;
•    Must have knowledge of the Tree By-laws, Property Standards By-law, Encroachment By-law, and Parks By-law;
•    Demonstrated ability to interpret engineering, landscape, tree preservation drawings, surveys and GIS generated maps;
•    Understanding of applicable Health and Safety regulations and Occupational Health and Safety Act;
•    Access to a personal vehicle is a requirement; 
•    Valid Ontario's drivers license is a requirement;
•    Shift work may be required;
•    Participation in the On Call program is a requirement; 
•    Detail oriented with excellent analytical and organizational skills; 
•    Strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills.