Arborist 1 (Trainee Eligible)*

City-of-Madison,-W; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 58,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Madison is seeking Arborists to perform pruning, insect/disease treatment, and tree care across City properties. Roles include Arborist Trainee with base salary of $58,405.88 and Arborist 1 at $63,871.08, with salary steps after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months and longevity pay in year five.

Two vacancies exist now, with an eligible list to fill future Arborist 1 openings. CDL B with N endorsement and pesticide certification required by probation; diversity encouraged.

Qualifications

• Two years of responsible experience in tree pruning and related tree care activities.
• Experience with pruning equipment and safety protocols.
• Ability to climb trees and operate specialized gear.
• Familiarity with tree insects, diseases, and care methods.

Responsibilities

• Prune and remove trees in public right of way and City properties.
• Inspect trees for disease or damage and apply treatments.
• Plant and maintain new trees in City properties.
• Operate pruning and planting equipment and related machinery.
• Work nights and weekends as needed for emergencies.

Skills

Tree pruning

Climbing trees

Pesticide knowledge

Safety procedures

Public communication

Tools

Pole saw

Chain saw

Ladders

Aerial tower

Bobcat/tractor

Job 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.

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.

Two (2) years of responsible experience in tree pruning and related tree care activities which involved significant experience in operating specialized tree trimming/pruning equipment.

-OR-

Two (2) years applying the following:

• Tree identification, tree care, and the methods, techniques, and equipment used in pruning, insect and disease management, planting, and removal of trees.
• Equipment and techniques necessary to perform the work safely.
• Climbing trees and/or working with equipment at varying heights and angles.

Familiarity with the following:

• Tree insects and diseases.
• Computers and computer software applicable to the duties of the position.

To be considered at the Arborist 1 level, a candidate will need to demonstrate their technical tree climbing abilities with the use of ropes and harness.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities, please view the Arborist 1 classification specification.

• Possession of a valid Class B Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License with N (tanker) endorsement. The successful candidate must have passed the written portion of the relevant Department of Transportation testing process before starting employment. A condition of continued employment is passage of the skills portion of the test and obtaining the required operator's license by the end of the probationary/trial period.

• Certification in CPR and first aid or the ability to obtain certification within the probationary/trial period.

• Required to obtain and maintain Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, Consumer and Protection pesticide certification in Category 3.0 by the end of the probationary/trial period.

• Complete Incidental Line Clearance Tree Trimmer training by the end of the probationary/trial period.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to climb trees for extended periods of time.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds individually.

• Ability to push, pull, and maneuver up to 250 pounds working with others.

• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions.

• Ability to work on uneven terrain.

• Ability to effectively communicate clearly.

• Ability to successfully complete a forty hour work week. Must be able to work nights and weekends as needed for emergency response.

*Payroll title for Arborist Trainee is Public Works Maintenance Worker 1