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Urban Forest Ambassadors

JOB DESCRIPTION

The City of Fort Collins Forestry Division maintains over 56,000 trees on public property along streets, and in parks, cemeteries, golf courses and other City facilities. The City is seeking skill based Urban Forest Ambassadors to assist with updating inventory data, perform urban forest health assessments, tree planting events, and engage the community in spreading the value and importance of our community’s urban forest! Urban Forest Ambassadors will perform a variety of tasks including updating the inventory, assessing for structural defects or insect and disease and engaging with the Fort Collins Community. The volunteers will help us update the public tree inventory on a more frequent basis. These efforts will include the use of an iPad or smartphone, diameter tape, and educational material to complete tasks as assigned by Forestry staff. Urban Forest Ambassadors are an integral part of urban forest management that will help continue health and longevity of the urban forest for generations to come.

LOCATION

• Forestry Division, 413 S. Bryan Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521
• Parks, street rights-of-way, cemeteries, golf courses and other areas where City maintained trees are located

PRIMARY ACTIVITIES

To complete inventory updates on individual or collections of trees using Treekeeper 8, the City’s public tree asset management software.

• Utilize Diameter Tape to measure Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and enter data into Tree Keeper.
• Updating inventory using prefilled address, condition, diameter, site ID and species
• Educating public on awareness of urban forest management, invasive insect species and urban forest – being in touch with the urban forest will also show you how much the Fort Collins community cares about the trees. As an Ambassador, you will have the opportunity to interact with the community and provide additional information regarding urban forest management, including insect and disease education and awareness.

EXPECTATIONS

• Be self-directed, willing to take initiative and detail oriented
• Willing and able to work and coordinate efforts alone or with other Ambassadors
• Must present a professional and friendly demeanor
• Be courteous and personable when dealing with the public
• Follow all safety guidelines, wear provided Personal Protective Equipment and remain self-aware of surroundings
• Ability to provide own transportation to and from inventory areas
• Engage in regular check-in meetings with Forestry Staff

TIME COMMITMENT AND AVAILABILITY

• Program will occur Spring through Fall (through Winter if interested)
• Attend Orientation (Fall)
• UFAs get to choose their own hours Monday through Sunday
• Forestry Staff support will be available Monday through Friday, 7am to 3:30pm
• Attend the Urban Forest Ambassador Appreciation Night (forthcoming)

BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEER

• Valuable learning opportunity observing and connecting with the community’s public urban forest.
• Development of skills using the Treekeeper 8 Software, D-Tape, identifying common tree species, and invasive insect and diseases of trees.
• Volunteers will contribute to a more effective public tree inventory which greatly helps the Forestry Division with strategic planning and meeting metrics.
• Network with Forestry staff and positively influence your personal and professional development.
• Assist with volunteer tree planting opportunities
• Building relationships with City staff and the community and creating more urban forest advocates or ambassadors

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES REQUIRED

• Attend a 2-hour orientation held by Forestry staff to familiarize yourself with the Treekeeper 8 software, D-tape, common tree species, invasive insect species and diseases.
• Practice evaluations on live trees, under the guidance of Forestry staff.

Volunteer Acknowledgement and Release

Date Signed:

With my (electronic) signature, I acknowledge the following statements:

• I promise to take due care during my volunteer activities and comply with City policies. I am aware of the hazards and risks that may be associated with my participation in volunteer activities with the City, including those associated with exposure to COVID-19.
• By this Acknowledgement and Release, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by volunteering for the City and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by volunteering for the City may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, City employees, officials, volunteers, program participants and their families. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks related to exposure to COVID-19, accept sole responsibility for any injury I may sustain (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I may experience or incur in connection with my volunteer service. In exchange for my participation in the City’s volunteer services program, I agree to release the City, and its employees, agents and officials, from any liabilities, claims, legal action, damages, costs or expenses that may arise from such injury, illness, loss, claim, liability or expense.
• The City has an obligation to defend and indemnify me if I am sued as a result of my conduct that arises from an act or omission occurring in the performance of and within the scope of my volunteer duties as required by the CIGA and City Code.
• If I am sued as a result of an act or omission that is outside the performance or scope of my volunteer duties or conduct that can be characterized as willful and wanton, the City is not obligated to defend or indemnify me.
• If I am injured during my volunteer duties, I am not covered by the City’s worker’s compensation coverage, but the City does have a relatively low amount of insurance coverage for certain volunteer medical expenses.
• If I use my own dog or tool to carry out my volunteer duties, the dog or tool must be inspected or assessed by an authorized City staff member to determine whether the dog or tool poses a threat of harm or danger. If a determination is made that the dog or tool poses a threat of harm or danger, I will not use the dog or tool to carry out my volunteer duties.
• I acknowledge and agree that my appointment as a City volunteer is contingent on completing any assigned training within the required timeframe.

Release: Only if my volunteer duties allow the opportunity to use my own tool or dog and in exchange for the opportunity to volunteer for the City of Fort Collins, I provide this release.  If my dog is injured or tool damaged while performing volunteer duties, I agree to release the City from any claim or liability for such injury or damage.