Job Description

Requisition ID: 46900

Organization

Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The Arboriculture Development Specialist performs specialized technical work of an arboricultural nature involving responsibility for reviewing proposed development and building plans and arborist reports submitted for Development and Building permit enquiry and applications, working collaboratively with other departments on site coordination, providing guidance to the public and applicants. Considerable independent judgement and action is exercised in the technical aspects of the work, while unusual or controversial matters are discussed with a superior.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs development related work including enquiry, screening and processing tree permit applications and works collaboratively with Project Coordinators during the review of Development and Building permit enquiry and applications. Reviews are performed to ensure projects meet provisions of the Protection of Trees Bylaw and address goals of the Urban Forest Strategy.
• Reviews plans of existing trees and proposed replacement trees at the time of enquiry of development and building permit application, including specifications for tree planting, tree retention and tree protection prior to construction
• Discusses non-compliance items with applicants and authorizes minor changes to approved plans.
• Performs collaborative inter-departmental problem solving with Park Board and Engineering to ensure coordinated site plans regarding tree retention and protection, utility placement and site access.
• Liaises with and provides general Arboricultural advice to customers and internal contacts
• Interprets and explains applicable by-laws and regulations to the public and applicants.
• Performs research tasks as required.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Diploma in Landscape Horticulture, Forestry, Arboriculture or a related field from an accredited post-secondary institution along with some related experience in arboriculture-related work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of tree biology, insects and diseases, and arboricultural practices and construction methods.
• Considerable knowledge of Protection of Trees Bylaw and regulations and of the departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the work; knowledge of Urban Forest Strategy and arboriculture practices and principles;
• Working knowledge of current development practices and arboriculture principles.
• Ability to read and interpret landscape plans and specifications; to advise appropriateness of plans and suggest plan modifications for improvement
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts
• Ability to interpret and explain applicable by-laws, regulations and related requirements to same; ability to perform a variety of inspectional, investigational and evidentiary duties related to the work.
• Ability to perform various research tasks and to prepare, establish and maintain a variety of records, files, correspondence and reports related to the work
• ISA Certified Arborist with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is preferred.
• Ability to meet transportation requirements

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department Dev Svcs, Bldg & Licensing

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date: September, 2026

Position End Date: May, 2027

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-023: $43.00 to $50.77 per hour

Application Close: August 16, 2026

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). More about unceded traditional territories

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.