MATTHEW FEISTHAMEL
SAN JOSE,CA
Summary
Urban Forest Coordinator coordinating municipal tree removal reviews, tree protection measures, and planting programs across streets, parks, medians, and development sites. Reviews permit applications, writes staff reports for appeals, and supports public hearings with clear forestry recommendations. Manages community planting work through a nonprofit contract while aligning tree care workdays and urban forest advocacy with city priorities.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
URBAN FOREST COORDINATOR
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
Mountain View
- Current
- Prepare 8 staff reports for tree appeals annually and present findings for Urban Forestry Board public hearings.
- Review 10 tree removal permit applications weekly and issue site-based determinations on proposed removals.
- Coordinate agreement, scheduling, and planting for new and replacement street, park, and median trees.
- Manage the Canopy contract, organizing community tree plantings, tree care work days, and urban forest advocacy.
- Provide forestry conditions of approval for single-family, multi-family, and commercial building permits based on submitted plan sets.
- Support Public Works with tree protection measures and tree root inspections for road, sewer, and sidewalk projects.
- Coordinate permit determinations with on-site observations to balance tree preservation, development review, and public safety.
URBAN FOREST SUPERVISOR
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
Mountain View
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Created 20 work orders weekly for tree crews based on hazard assessments and shifting management priorities.
- Responded to public requests for street tree pruning and removal services with clear written and verbal guidance.
- Inspected street, park, and median trees, then built priority work lists from condition and pruning needs.
- Completed annual performance evaluations for tree trimmers and set objectives aligned with defined expectations.
URBAN FOREST COORDINATOR
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
Mountain View
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Completed [number]% of permit reviews on time while applying municipal code interpretation and permit review & analysis.
- Reviewed 20 tree service requests per week to prioritize field response and support timely city tree maintenance.
- Inspected street trees for risk conditions and documented findings through tree inspection reporting and ANSI A300 standards.
- Maintained urban forest records and tree inventory management data in ArcGIS to support planning and analysis.
- Coordinated community outreach coordination for resident inquiries, service updates, and public hearing reporting.
- Supported street tree planning and construction arborist inspections to align new work with city standards.
ASSISTANT CITY FORESTER
CITY OF CARMEL BY-THE-SEA
Carmel By-The-Sea
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Supervise 5 forestry and parks staff through training, direction, and performance evaluation.
- Prepare [number] staff reports on tree removal appeals for the Forest and Beach Commission.
- Review tree removal and pruning applications, inspect replacement trees, and render permit decisions.
- Evaluate landscape plans tied to building projects for compliance with city policies and municipal code.
- Coordinate with local contractors on tree protection measures associated with building permits.
- Apply urban forest management knowledge to support street tree planning and tree risk assessment decisions.
Education
Associate of Science - Ornamental Horticulture
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, CABachelor of Science - Forestry and Natural Resource Management
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CASkills
- Tree risk assessment
- Tree inspection reporting
- Permit review & analysis
- Urban forest management
- Street tree planning
- Contract administration
- Public hearing reporting
- Staff supervision
- Community outreach coordination
- Work order scheduling
- ANSI A300 standards
- Tree inventory management
- ArcGIS
- Construction arborist inspections
- Municipal code interpretation
- ISA Certified Arborist
- Tree risk assessment qualification
Certification
Certified Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Timeline
URBAN FOREST SUPERVISOR
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
01.2022 - 01.2024
URBAN FOREST COORDINATOR
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
01.2019 - 01.2022
ASSISTANT CITY FORESTER
CITY OF CARMEL BY-THE-SEA
01.2015 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Forestry and Natural Resource Management
California Polytechnic State University
Associate of Science - Ornamental Horticulture
Monterey Peninsula College
URBAN FOREST COORDINATOR
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
- Current