Arborist 1 (Trainee Eligible)

General description

The City of Madison Streets and Urban Forestry Division is looking for its next Arborists! The successful candidates will perform skilled manual work involving the care and maintenance of City trees within proper safety guidelines. The work includes pruning, insect/disease treatment, technical tree removal; the preparation and planting of new trees; and the maintenance of related equipment. Work is performed under the general leadership of an Arborist 2 with overall supervision received from a Forestry Foreperson.

The current recruitment is to fill two (2) vacant positions

This recruitment will create an eligible list that will be used to fill additional Arborist 1 positions that may become vacant in the next six (6) months

The designation of Arborist Trainee (starting annual salary is $58,405.88) will be given to an employee who does not possess technical tree climbing skills with ropes and harness or who otherwise lacks all minimum qualifications for the Arborist 1 classification.

An employee with technical tree climbing skills using ropes and harness and who possesses all of the minimum qualifications for the Arborist 1 classification will be hired as an Arborist 1 (starting annual salary is $63,871.08); to be determined at the time of hire.

Employees receive base salary step increases after successful completion of 6, 18, 30, and 42 months of employment. Longevity pay provisions take effect at the beginning of the fifth year of continuous employment.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Prune and remove trees in the public right of way and on other City properties and perform other tasks related to the care and treatment of city trees:

• Provide information to the public concerning tree pruning and related tree care activities.
• Prune small trees from the ground using a pole saw, hand pruner, or pole pruner.
• Ascend trees using ladders, rope and harness, or other methods.
• Prune or cut branches using chain saws, handsaws, or other equipment.
• Perform tree maintenance with an aerial tower or rope and harness.
• Operate brush chippers, large log hauling trucks, and pull trailers.

Conduct related inspections and identify and treat diseases, tree injuries, and infestations:

• Prune and remove decayed, diseased, and infested tree parts.
• Prune and/or repair trees damaged by vehicles and storms.
• Apply pesticides for insect or disease issues.

Pickup, prepare, and plant new trees in the public right of way, and other City-owned properties:

• Operate auger, bobcat, toolcat, forklift, tractor, dump truck, and other related tree planting equipment.
• Use shovels, steel t-posts, and rakes to plant trees.
• Mulch and water newly planted trees.

Miscellaneous:

• Operate, perform related safety checks, and assist in the maintenance of aerial towers, assigned vehicles, chain saws, and other equipment.
• Operate snow removal equipment such as snow plow, snow blower, shovel, bobcat, and toolcat.
• Perform related work as required.