Arborist

The Corporation of The Town of Milton; Milton; Hybrid; CAD 46,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

OMERS pension

Paid time off including vacation

Hybrid work options

Compressed work week

Maternity/parental leave top-up

Life insurance

Discounts on facilities/activities

Job summary

The Corporation of The Town of Milton is seeking a full-time Arborist to support urban forestry across municipal properties. The role reports to the Supervisor, Operations - Forestry and works within the unionized IBEW Local 636.

You will help maintain trees on streets, parks and cemeteries, ensuring health, safety and adherence to service levels. Responsibilities include pruning, rigging, health assessments, emergency responses, and staff guidance for seasonal workers.

Qualifications

• Certificate or Diploma in Arboriculture or Urban Forestry, including courses in tree climbing and aerial rescue.
• ISA Certified Arborist®, in good standing.
• Two years’ experience in arboriculture.
• D Driver’s License with Z endorsement.
• Knowledge of OHSA and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day urban forestry operations.
• Supervise seasonal staff and ensure safety.
• Perform skilled tree maintenance including pruning and removal.
• Access tree canopies using approved gear and techniques.
• Assess tree health and advise on treatments.
• Respond to hazardous situations and after-hours emergencies.
• Operate arial lifts, woodchippers, chainsaws safely.
• Assist in tree planting programs and urban forestry planning.
• Advise staff and public on tree care and by-laws.
• Maintain time, expense, and work records.

Skills

Arboriculture knowledge

Tree climbing & rigging

Safety awareness

Equipment operation

Education

Certificate/Diploma in Arboriculture

ISA Certified Arborist

D Driver’s License with Z endorsement

OHSA knowledge

Tools

Outlook/Office tools

Job description

Job Type: Permanent Department: Hourly Wage: $40.37 Close Date (closes at 12:00 am on date noted below): November 17, 2026 Openings: 1

Position Summary

About Milton Join one of Ontario’s fastest-growing and most dynamic municipalities. The Town of Milton is proud to deliver high-quality, sustainable municipal services that support a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking community where residents thrive, businesses succeed, and nature is respected and protected. Our vision is to foster a safe, diverse, and welcoming environment—one that honours its natural landscapes and rich heritage, supports thriving and inclusive neighbourhoods, nurtures a strong and balanced economy, and offers exceptional opportunities to live, learn, work, and play.

What We Offer?

• Hourly Rate: $40.37
• Benefits: Regular full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefit package, with all premiums paid by the Town, an Employee Assistance Program, top-up maternity/parental leave benefits and life insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in the OMERS pension plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, incidental and volunteer days
• Employee perks/discounts: Discount on Active Living Pass and Perkopolis
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work options and participation in the Town’s compressed work-week program (for eligible positions)
• For further details of what we offer, please visit Why Milton

Position Summary

The Department of Community Services, Facility, Operations & Environment Division is accepting applications for one (1) full time Arborist. This position reports to the Supervisor, Operations - Forestry. This is a unionized position, IBEW Local 636. The Arborist supports daily activities of arborist services within the division. The Arborist will perform a variety of operational tasks and be responsible for the care, maintenance, and preservation of trees on municipal property, including streets, parks cemeteries and other public spaces. This position ensures the health and safety of the Town’s urban forest through skilled tree work, inspections and preventative maintenance while ensuring they are meeting service levels and following all safety standards. Provide guidance and training to other staff including seasonal and summer staff.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Execute day to day activities related to urban forestry operations
• Performs and assists in directing and coordinating day-to-day activities for summer and seasonal staff, instructs in the use of proper safety equipment, oversee the proper usage of tools and equipment, mentoring and updating arboriculture best practices.
• Perform skilled tree maintenance (ground and aloft) including pruning, rigging installation and inspection of tree supplemental support systems, fertilizing, and tree removal
• When required, accessing tree canopies (ascending, descending and working aloft and using a chain saw aloft) using only Town approved gear and equipment, and Town approve climbing techniques; plus conducting Arboriculture work while aloft.
• Assess tree health and recommend treatment for pests, diseases, and structural defects
• Conduct tree risk assessments and respond to hazardous tree situations, including after hours emergencies
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment such as arial lift devices, woodchippers, chain saws, stump grinders and standard tree climbing and tree rigging equipment where required in a safe and efficient manner.
• Assist in the implementation and oversight of municipal tree planting programs
• Assist in developing and maintaining an urban forestry and tree management plan.
• Advise staff and public on proper tree care, preservation, and by-law requirements
• Respond to and direct public inquiries and service requests
• During the winter, plow/salt and remove snow on various Town owned roadways, parking lots and facilities using shovels, dump trucks, tractors, loaders etc.; install, flood and maintain seasonal public ice rinks
• Perform other duties as assigned

Health and Safety, Customer Service

• Performs all duties in accordance with Ontario Health & Safety legislation and established policies & procedures
• Submits neat and complete written and electronic records including time sheets, maintenance history report forms and other records as directed
• Perform manual labour requiring lifting over 50 lbs.
• Follows equipment operating guidelines
• Ensures all PPE is utilized and worn as per requirements
• Performs pre and post audits of all equipment utilized
• Complete equipment work order forms as required
• Responds to customer inquiries according to established procedures and approved decision-making framework
• Maintains ongoing communication with internal staff and contractors to maintain a high level of efficiency and service
• Comply with all health and safety practices as it relates to the work, standard operating guidelines, Arborist Industry Safe Work Practices Guide Third Edition and the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Education & Experience

• Certificate or Diploma in Arboriculture or Urban Forestry, or Horticulture from a recognized college or university, that includes courses in tree climbing, aerial rescue and urban forestry.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and certifications may be considered
• An International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist®, in good standing
• Proficient in tree ascending, descending and work aloft in trees, with or without spurs, and including but not limited to chainsaw operation and rigging work while aloft
• Two (2) years’ experience in arboriculture, preferably in a municipal setting or relevant and/or equivalent experience
• Possess a D Driver’s License with Z endorsement, with a satisfactory driving record
• Working knowledge of ANSI Z133 Safety Standards and ISA Best Management Practices.
• Working knowledge of applicable legislation and regulations, i.e. Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
• Knowledge of Arborist Industry Safe Work Practices Guide Third Edition
• Strong mechanical aptitude to operate and train staff in the safe operation of relevant equipment
• Strong communication, interpersonal and customer service skills
• Problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to use computer or mobile-based software to enter time, expenses and work records. Comfortable using Microsoft Outlook, Excel and related digital tools.
• Detailed oriented
• Able to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of a Degree in Arboriculture or Urban Forestry, or Horticulture from a recognized University
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in arboriculture, preferably in a municipal setting
• An ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), in good standing
• An ISA Certified Tree Climber®, in good standing
• Land Exterminators Pesticide License Valid Book 7 training
• A valid Standard First Aid / CPR-C and AED certification
• Excellent verbal, written communication, interpersonal and customer service skills
• Qualified candidates may be required to complete testing as part of the selection process

Note to Applicants This posting is for an existing job vacancy. The Town is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, accessible, and respectful workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and are dedicated to fair and transparent hiring practices. We thank all who apply, however only those selected to move forward in the process will be contacted.

Accommodations Should you be selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources of any accommodations you may require. We will work with you to ensure your full participation in the process.

Milton: A Place of Possibility. At the Town of Milton, we provide excellent and sustainable municipal services to foster a vibrant and inclusive community where residents thrive, businesses flourish and nature is cherished. We are laying the groundwork for our vision for Milton 2051: a safe, diverse and welcoming community that respects its natural beauty and heritage, supports a range of neighbourhoods, sustains a strong and balanced economy, and offers outstanding opportunities to live, learn, work and play. To achieve this, we commit to invest in a more permanent, balanced and highly skilled workforce required for our vision, making the Town of Milton an employer of choice where diverse and talented staff are able to offer superior service and productivity in a period of rapid change.