Arboriculturist

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Vacation, holiday, and sick leave

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

City of Seattle’s Seattle Department of Transportation is seeking Arboriculturist opportunities to inspect and manage trees related to SDOT permits. You will provide technical expertise for planting, care, and maintenance, including root protection, soil restoration, mulching, watering and pruning.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and at least 3 years in tree care with supervision experience. A Washington driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in care, planting and maintenance of trees and plants.
• Supervision or lead work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide arboricultural field inspection services for SDOT permit work.
• Plant, care and maintain trees including root protection and pruning.
• Update SDOT tree inventory and maps; inspect for permit compliance.

Skills

Tree care

Education

Bachelor in Horticulture/Forestry

Job description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

SDOT’s Right of Way Maintenance and Urban Forestry division has Arboriculturist opportunities available! These positions provide arboricultural field inspection services for tree work related to SDOT permits. They also provide technical expertise for planting, care and maintenance of trees and plant materials, including root protection, soil restoration, mulching, watering, and pruning. The positions also inspect work to ensure compliance with approved permits and updates the SDOT tree inventory map for all permitted tree work.

• Attend pre-construction meetings and review tree protection plans; establish and monitor tree protection; evaluate exposed root systems; oversee root pruning and recommend other measures to lessen construction impacts on existing trees; evaluate pruning needs for equipment operation and construction access.
• Post tree removal notices on trees impacted by SDOT projects and respond to public inquiries related to tree removal, retention, and protection; provide timely evaluation of public safety concerns, diagnose insect and disease problems, and complete tree risk assessments and appraisals as needed.
• Update SDOT tree inventory to track tree removals and new trees; complete inspection checklists in Accela; facilitate permit closeout and bond release for development projects.
• Ensure permit plans are designed to grow Seattle's tree canopy, protect public safety, and prevent conflicts with city-owned infrastructure. Make adjustments as needed and document changes in the SDOT tree inventory.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Botany, or related field

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the care, planting, and maintenance of trees and plant materials and demonstrated experience in supervision or lead work.

License, Certification

• A valid Washington State driver's license

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• ISA Certified Arborist
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
• At least three (3) years of experience protecting trees during construction

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• Required to work in all weather conditions and stand, bend and walk for extended periods.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including professional work and education verifications, pre-placement physical exam, and full driver's abstract.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $45.16 - $52.71 per hour.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Adam Sallean [e-mail]

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's websiteat: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided upon request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.