Arborist

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is seeking a skilled Arborist to perform advanced tree care across city parks and boulevards. The role involves climbing, pruning, diagnosing health, and safely operating heavy equipment in an urban setting.

You will respond to storms and help maintain the urban forest, while engaging the public with knowledge about trees and park systems. Requirements include a high school diploma, at least 18 years old, two years of rope-and-saddle climbing experience, a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Two years of verifiable rope-and-saddle climbing experience.
• Equivalent combination of related experience, education and training may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Plant trees in parks, along parkways and boulevards and on other city properties.
• Prune and maintain trees in urban settings per arboricultural standards.
• Safely remove and condemn trees of various sizes.
• Comply with OSHA and ANSI safety procedures to protect crew and public.
• Respond to storm events and clear debris from public rights of way.
• Drive and operate trucks, aerial bucket trucks and other vehicles.
• Inspect trees for pests and structural integrity.
• Record information using tree inventory software.
• Interact with the public, answering questions about work and trees.

Skills

Tree climbing (rope & saddle)

Aerial rescue techniques

Pest management knowledge

Customer service

OSHA/ANSI safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in urban forestry or related field

Tools

Tree inventory software

Job description

The MPRB is seeking a dedicated Arborist to perform highly skilled and difficult manual work in the care and maintenance of trees in parks, along boulevards and parkways, and on other city properties throughout the City of Minneapolis. The Arborist promotes the proper growth of trees and maintains the overall health of the urban forest.

Starting pay range for this position in 2026 is $24.93- $34.83, based on documented qualifications and experience.

JOIN OUR CREW, WE NEED YOU:

Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and make a difference in your community!

We are seeking employees who love nature, people, and fun. Enjoy learning new skills, meeting new friends, and serving the community, all while working in our beautiful park system. Whether you are interested in recreation, environmental education, maintenance, or customer service, we have a job for you!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of one of the premier park systems in the United States. Our picturesque lakes, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and diversified programming make the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play, and work!

• Plant trees in the parks, along parkways and boulevards and on other city properties.
• Prune and maintain trees in an urban setting according to arboricultural standards.
• Properly remove and condemn trees ranging in size from several diameter inches to over 50 diameter inches.
• Comply with OSHA and ANSI safety procedures and regulations to ensure well being of self, fellow crew members and the public.
• Respond to storm events and safely perform clean-up work by clearing traffic corridors and removing fallen and damaged trees from the public rights of way, houses and vehicles.
• Safely clean up work site after regular work activity or after storms.
• Drive and operate various trucks, aerial bucket truck, and other motorized vehicles while performing duties.
• Inspect trees on both public and private property for pests and structural integrity.
• Record information using information technology hardware and software that is pertinent to the computerized tree inventory.
• Courteously respond to the public on a regular basis by answering questions about work being performed and providing information on trees, parking and property line boundaries.

Need to Have:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Two years of verifiable experience using a rope and saddle to climb mature sized trees while performing preventative care, formative pruning, and tree removal.
• An equivalent combination of related experience, education and training that is sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice to Have:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred from an accredited college or university with a major in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, natural resources, landscape maintenance or related field.
• ISA Certified Arborist (obtained within 12 months of hire)
• Tree Inspector's License from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (obtained within 12 months of hire)
• Pesticide Applicator License from Minnesota Department of Agriculture in categories A and E (obtained within 12 months of hire)
• Line Clearance Certification (obtained within 12 months of hire)
• First Aid and CPR Certification (obtained within 12 months of hire)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, drive, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, see and perform repetitive motions. Continuous long hours spent walking, standing, bending, kneeling.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Ability to safely and operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to daily local travel to and from work locations. Operate aerial lift trucks, brush/log chippers, power saws, hand tools, rope and saddle, rigging equipment, and more. Work at heights of up to 60-75 feet while operating a chain saw and other tools.

Ability to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces and to ascend and descend ladders to access work areas.

Work outside year-round in all types of weather. Frequent exposure to equipment noise, fumes, dust, explosive materials, caustic materials, herbicides and insecticides.

Skills Crucial to Success in This Role:

• Contemporary methods and techniques involved in the care and maintenance of trees, especially in the high risk environment of performing arboricultural services.
• Proper use, care and safety requirements of the tools and equipment used.
• Aerial rescue techniques, large limb removal, cabling and bracing, fertilizing and integrated pest management.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices with a diverse customer base.
• OSHA and ANSI safety procedures and regulations related to Arborist work.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Union Status: City Employees Local 363

Job Information Session: A 30 minute Job Information Session will be held via conference call on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1:00PM CT. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the position and to gain a better understanding of the civil service application process. Interested parties are encouraged to join us via phone conference at [phone] and use phone conference ID 803 877 715#.

View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf.

The MPRB is a tobacco-free workplace and park system.

The MPRB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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