Committee B reviews revised urban forest planner job description; HR to remove state-license language from job description

Committee B reviewed a revised job description for an Urban Forest Planner and discussed duties, public engagement expectations and whether to advance the update to the full council as a consent item.

Acting Planning Manager Mike Clugston summarized changes that clean up redundant language and clarify reporting lines after the city assigned the tree board to the Parks Department; the planner would no longer be the administrative liaison for the tree board but would remain responsible for technical tasks such as development review, inspections, policy work and code updates. Clugston said the position would continue to "review development projects to ensure consistency with tree regulations" while the Parks Department would assume many of the board-administration tasks.

Emily (Human Resources) told the committee the job description includes a reference to a Washington state driver's license within 30 days, which HR prefers to remove from the job description and instead include on the job posting: "That reference to the Washington state driver's license requirement within 30 days would be included on the job posting." Clugston confirmed the motion to post would reflect that amendment.

The revised description adds several substantive duties: revise and implement the city's Urban Forest Management Plan; manage the city's tree canopy goal and BMPs consistent with the comprehensive plan; assist in revising the city street-tree plan; and revise and implement tree and landscaping codes. Committee members asked whether the planner would work with canopy-assessment data and whether Tree City USA responsibilities would remain; staff said the planner would manage canopy goals and would assist with Tree City USA tasks but that the Parks Department is the primary owner of the tree board and related administrative work.

The proposal drew differing views on priority and resourcing. One councilmember questioned whether a full-time position was the right priority given recent canopy data and suggested more limited or consultant-based support. Other councilmembers emphasized the value of having in-house subject-matter expertise to answer resident questions and to produce policy recommendations for elected officials. Staff noted the position is authorized in ordinance and within the mayor's hiring authority; the committee voted to forward the updated job description to consent while noting a single councilmember may pull the item from consent for full council consideration.

What happens next: HR will remove the Washington state driver's-license timing from the job description and include licensing details on the job posting; staff will post the revised position and return the item to the full council as forwarded by the committee.