City urban forester is out; landscape manager is in

The Urban Forestry Department, still in existence and under the Public Works Department, will be going through changes.

The department will no longer require an urban forester. The city will be looking for a new landscape manager instead of an urban forester as well as making two more changes:

‘ The department will be a division under the Parks and Recreation Department temporarily. Carlene Brown, director of Parks and Recreation, will supervise the department as a division under her department until everything is finalized and a manager found.

‘ The Public Works Department will once again take over maintenance of right of ways in McMinnville. Also, they will be working with the Department of Transportation getting permission to do gateways into the city.

Brown and Public Works director Bill Brock worked on the recommendation with city administrator David Rutherford, who then presented it to officials.

‘After trying to get downtown ready for the Fourth and the Great American Race, it is very evident to me that we have to have somebody,’ said Rutherford. ‘We think this is a reasonable solution.’

Job description and qualifications for the landscape manager position include:

The manager will be expected to perform a variety of duties essential to the daily landscape maintenance of the city, including planning and coordinating work, supervision, scheduling and training of new personnel.

A bachelor’s degree with major study in horticulture, natural resource management, public or business administration or a related field, three years experience and one year at a lead or supervisory level, or any combination of these.

A valid Tennessee Class B Commercial Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one in six months.

State certification in the use of pesticides and other chemicals required or the ability to obtain in 12 months.

Along with the change in the department head and description, the annual pay will also change. The existing $50,000 left in the budget for an urban forester will now be $33,800 for a landscape manager.

Applications to fill the top position of manager are now currently being accepted. For a complete job description and qualifications contact McMinnville City Hall at 473-1200.