City Arborist (Arborist & Tree Care)

The primary function of an employee in this class is to manage and maintain trees and other plant collections on City property. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the City's Urban Forester and may exercise lead duties over assigned workers.  The principal duties of this class are performed outdoors and will include working in adverse weather conditions and risks involving the use of power tools, equipment and hazardous chemicals. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs planting, transplanting, cultivation, pruning, removal, and maintenance on trees located on City property.These properties include, but are not limited to; park sites, public road rights-of-way, City-maintained forested/natural areas, Evergreen Cemetery, and other City-managed sites.
• Performs technical tree work such as pruning, tree felling, bucking, brush chipping, and tree removals using a variety of ground and aerial techniques and equipment.This includes using rope & harness and spur & flip line climbing techniques, aerial man lifts, chainsaws, and rigging systems.
• Installs arborist chip mulch in landscape beds and tree rings.
• Applies horticultural chemicals including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other materials as prescribed by the IPM program.
• Performs field inventory of public trees, natural surface trails, noxious weeds, etc.
• Performs weed management duties mechanically, chemically, and by hand.
• Assists during Parks Department construction projects.
• Performs traditional forestry activities in City-managed natural areas.This includes thinning, clearing, felling, bucking, burning, etc.
• Performs trail-related tasks in City-managed natural areas.This includes construction, renovation, deconstruction, mapping, etc.
• Operates a wide variety of small and large equipment including chainsaw, chipper, line trimmer, leaf blower, tractor, skid steer, and front-end loader.
• Assesses tree situations and provides recommendations for actions including plantings, removals, and other management practices.
• Trains Park staff in tree care practices and the use of associated equipment.
• Trains and leads the work of others in tree care practices, may lead groups and individual volunteers as well as community service projects.
• Communicates with the public in order to resolve tree-related concerns, problems, and complaints.
• Provides support to the City's Urban Forestry Committee.
• Responds to tree emergency activities resulting from weather events 24 hours a day year-round.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.

• Completes routine maintenance tasks on a wide variety of power equipment.
• Responsible for many work-related recordkeeping duties. Some documentation will be completed electronically, some will be recorded on paper.
• Assists other departments in related activities.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned.

• Knowledge of:
• Arboriculture industry best management practices.
• Current ANSI standards for tree care operations.
• Botany, horticulture, and tree identification common to developed landscapes and common to this area.
• Appropriate weed and pest control practices.
• The work hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with park maintenance work.
• Applicable regulations and policies regarding safe work practices, including the ANSI Z133 standard and the safe, effective, and legal use of herbicides and pesticides.
• Ability to:
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate effectively with the public and other employees.
• Train and supervise seasonal or temporary employees.
• Plan, schedule, implement, monitor, and evaluate work activities involved in managing trees on Park land and the City's road rights-of-way.
• Learn and use the City's GIS mapping system to identify and track urban forest and Park assets.
• Safely and effectively operate a wide variety of landscape and forestry related hand tools.
• Safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle, including a one-ton truck with trailer.
• Safely and effectively operate power equipment including, but not limited to, chainsaw, chipper, line trimmer, leaf blower, tractor, skid steer, front-end loader, and related equipment.
• Safely and effectively perform tree care activities at height utilizing a rope and harness.
• Safely and effectively perform tree care activities at height utilizing a truck-mounted aerial lift.
• Perform landscape installation/construction.
• Correctly prune a wide variety of trees and shrubs.
• Perform routine maintenance on tree care gear, tools, and equipment.
• Perform small engine repairs.
• Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, occasionally under unfavorable conditions.
• Work from technical drawings, aerial photos, and plans.
• Select and use appropriate tools for the completion of assigned tasks.
• Use tact and good judgement in responding to questions from the general public.

• High school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Three (3) years of experience in tree care, forestry, or closely related field.
• One (1) year of experience performing technical tree work at height using rope and harness and aerial lift equipment.
• Extensive knowledge in horticultural practices, plant identification, and turf management.
• Associate degree in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, or related plant science (preferred).
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.