Amos Arber
Xeriscape Transformation Rebate Inspector
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Talented professional considered knowledgeable leader and dedicated problem solver. Brings 25 years of valuable expertise to forward utility objectives. Attentive to detail with experience in coordinating projects, programs and improvements.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Xeriscape Transformation Rebate Inspector
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
1 2017 - Current
- Responsible for managing all aspects of The Water Authority’s lawn to xeriscape transformation rebate program that has an annual budget of $600,000 that typically incentivizes 90-150 projects.
- Frequent project management responsibilities include the coordination of customers, landscape contractors, software developers, and the Customer Service division.
- Daily duties included responding to a high volume of complex inquiries from customers that at times can be upset or difficult.
- Scheduling and performing complex inspections and documenting data with custom software and other applications.
- Planning and tracking rebate budgets to ensure program goals and objectives are met, and forecast funds needed for future program budgets. Strategize and develop promotional materials, and educational content related to water conservation, landscape health, and urban forestry.
- Frequently lead public presentations and seminars for a wide variety of audiences and organizations including community leaders and executives that promote water conservation focused best landscape management practices and rebate programs.
- Lead and managed the development and ongoing maintenance of the Water Conservation department’s new website and associated monthly newsletter, including design, navigation, annual content planning and generation.
- Develop and manage a new public educational outreach program for customer questions about rebate programs and general landscape advice such as plant selection and irrigation. Since its inception over 1,100 customer questions have received responses.
- Managed and implemented program-wide project to create a new online rebate application and tracking system that replaced paper applications. The digital system allows for valuable data collection which aids in monitoring conservation programs goals and objectives and making informed decisions for future budgets.
- Participated in the Water Authority’s process for generating requests, proposals, and awarding contracts. Manage agreements and contracts with partner agencies, including planning, tracking, budget oversight, and contracted vendors.
- Member of Team currently developing a new Non-Functional Turf program. Conducted research and created content for related documents such as program cost, water savings data, objectives, policies, ordinances, promotional material content, surveys, and presentation materials for stakeholder meetings.
- Lead efforts through research for the Water Conservation Plan update development and implementation of modifications to the existing rebate program.
- Expanded, developed, and cultivated new and existing relationships with landscape contractors, landscape architects, planners, property managers, consultants and agency partners promoting the xeriscape conversion rebate that resulted in a 300% increase in square footage of lawn transformed within the commercial, institutional, and industrial account sectors.
- Revamped the existing TreeBate rebate including creating promotional materials, a series of public promotional events, and modified the digital application system. Changes resulted in a massive increases in program participation.
- Member of project team that developed training guides and related educational materials for the onboarding of new Water Conservation Specialists and interns for enforcing water waste policies.
Assistant Horticulture Curator and Arborist
City of Albuquerque BioPark
11.2013 - 12.2016
- Assistant Curator: Frontline supervisor for horticulture crew that maintains and installs landscape plantings and automatic irrigation systems at BioPark exhibits including Tingley Beach
- Typical daily responsibilities included: Weed and pest management, tree and shrub pruning and planting, automatic irrigation system repair, and central irrigation control programming and management, selecting plants for replacement and new exhibits, procurement of materials and supplies, and maintenance of equipment
- General office duties included, timekeeping, email communication and project research and budgeting
- Submitted applications and was awarded over $170,000 in grant funding though various organizations for special projects such as playground equipment and shade shelters and pollinator habitat restoration and installations. Managed and coordinated project implementation and oversight
- Development and implementation of 15 educational talks and tours to BioPark visitors, volunteers, and staff
- Management and planning of various tasks related to the BioPark's urban forest. Tight supervision and oversight of contracted arborist resulted in a 30% annual reduction of costs
- Coordination of tree work with animal keepers and the public, risk assessment of existing trees, , and physical tree work both from the ground and aerial lifts.
Education
Masters of Landscape Architecture -
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 08.2005 - 05.2009
Certificate of Natural History and Ecology -
College of The Redwoods
Ft. Bragg, CA 08.2001 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Arts Fine Arts -
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 08.1994 - 05.1998
Skills
Water Conservation Techniques and Strategies
Data Collection & Research
Proficient in MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and other Applications
Scheduling and Planning
Stakeholder Communications and Management
Graphic Design and Communication
Contract Development and Management
Budget preparation, Administration, oversight, and Report Writing
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Education
Deep knowledge of Plants and horticulture practices
Water Efficient irrigation and landscape design
Excellent Written and Oral Communication
Leading Public presentations and educational seminars
Project planning, development, and management
Staff supervision, Training, and Performance oversight
Certification
Certified Arborist
Accomplishments
- Department of Landscape Architecture Award for Excellence in Design, 2007
- Member Tau Sigma Delta, 2007
- New Mexico Regents Scholarship, University of New Mexico, 2006
- Arts/Science and Outstanding achievement scholarships, College of the Redwoods, 2004
Affiliations
- ISA
- AWWA
- QWEL
Timeline
Assistant Horticulture Curator and Arborist
City of Albuquerque BioPark
11.2013 - 12.2016
Masters of Landscape Architecture -
University of New Mexico
08.2005 - 05.2009
Certificate of Natural History and Ecology -
College of The Redwoods
08.2001 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Arts Fine Arts -
University of New Mexico
08.1994 - 05.1998
Xeriscape Transformation Rebate Inspector
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
1 2017 - Current
Certified Arborist
Qualified Water-efficient Landscaper
ABCWUA Management Series Training
CABQ Management training program
PGM Landscape and Irrigation Training
Chainsaw safety and tree climbing certification
Similar Profiles
Steve TafoyaSteve Tafoya
Lead Heavy Equipment Mechanic/ Facility Repair at Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Utility AuthorityLead Heavy Equipment Mechanic/ Facility Repair at Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Utility Authority
Israel ArteagaIsrael Arteaga
Wastewater Worker Helper at Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water AuthorityWastewater Worker Helper at Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority
Harmony GarciaHarmony Garcia
Administrative Assistant II at Bernalillo County Housing AuthorityAdministrative Assistant II at Bernalillo County Housing Authority