Arborist II

The Morton Arboretum; Lisle (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL is seeking an experienced arborist to perform a broad range of tree care and maintenance tasks across 1,700 acres, including pruning, removals, hazard evaluation, and installation of support and lightning protection systems.

The role requires ISA certification within 12 months, IL Pesticide Operator license within 3 months, CDL within 9 months, and TRAQ within 3 years, along with strong climbing and communication skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5+ years of demonstrable arboricultural work experience required.
• Must obtain ISA Certified Arborist within 12 months of hire and Illinois Pesticide Operator's license within 3 months of hire.
• Ability to identify common tree species and major insect/disease problems in the Midwest.
• Ability to climb trees using required equipment and perform various types of tree work.
• Must obtain Class B CDL within 9 months of hire, subject to insurability and MVR.

Responsibilities

• Prune and groom trees and shrubs for health, safety, and appearance.
• Remove dead and hazardous trees; clean debris after removal.
• Install and maintain lightning protection systems; brace trees with defects.
• Apply pesticides as needed using tree injection equipment.
• Participate in winter clearing and snow removal operations.
• Provide assistance for events, exhibitions, and wood reutilization.
• Support Arboretum scientists in ongoing research projects.

Skills

ISA Certified Arborist

Tree climbing

Safety standards

GIS mapping

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Illinois Pesticide Operator's license

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

Class B CDL

First Aid & CPR certification

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Google apps

Job description

Perform a variety of functions related to the care and maintenance of trees on the 1,700 acres of Arboretum property, which include landscapes, collections, and natural areas. These functions include pruning, removals, hazard evaluation, and the installation of support and lightning protection systems.

Essential Functions:

Prune and groom trees and shrubs for health, safety, and appearance. Remove dead and hazardous trees. Clean area of debris after removal of trees and shrubs.

Install and maintain lightning protection systems. Cable and brace trees with structural defects.

Apply pesticides as needed, which may necessitate the use of tree injection equipment for some treatments.

Participate in winter clearing of natural areas for the control of invasive species, preservation of desirable species, and expansion of collection areas.

Participate in snow removal operations and storm damage clean-up.

Provide assistance for special events, exhibits, and the wood reutilization program.

Provide operational support to Arboretum scientists for their ongoing research projects.

May lead the arborist crew in daily operations during the absence of the Arborist Supervisor. Responsibilities include work delegation, record keeping of work completed, and the coordination of storm damage inspections along roads and trails.

Assist the Arborist Supervisor with the training of Climbers, including basic and advanced climbing techniques, tree risk assessment, equipment inspection, maintenance, and operation, tree removal/riging skills, and aerial rescue.

Assist the Arborist Supervisor with the training of Collections & Horticulture and Facilities staff in the proper use of chainsaws on the grounds.

Perform all duties with the highest safety standards and quality standards in accordance with A.N.S.I. A300 (quality) and Z133 (safety). Safely operate and maintain all motorized equipment according to the operator’s manuals. Participate in and present safety talks to the crew on a regular basis.

Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required. 5+ years of demonstrable arboricultural work experience required. Must be able to obtain and maintain certification as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist within 12 months of hire and an Illinois Pesticide Operator's license within 3 months of hire. Ability to identify common tree species and major insect and disease problems affecting trees in the Midwest required. Ability to climb trees and use the equipment necessary to perform various types of tree work is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills required. Must be able to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within 9 months of hire, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Ability to obtain and maintain ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) within 3 years of hire or promotion. Must become certified and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR (classes provided). Must become familiar with and utilize GIS mapping and field apps to assist with the tracking and record keeping of tree maintenance work. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications beneficial.

Success Factors:

Ability and willingness to adapt to a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in all weather conditions. Decision making skills and the ability to prioritize. A clear understanding of A.N.S.I. A300 pruning standards as well as A.N.S.I. Z133 safety standards and the ability to utilize these standards to ensure safe work practices. Strong work ethic and a commitment to continuing education within the field of arboriculture. Ability to relate effectively and work with people of various backgrounds and ages.

Position Summary:

Perform a variety of functions related to the care and maintenance of trees on the 1,700 acres of Arboretum property, which include landscapes, collections, and natural areas. These functions include pruning, removals, hazard evaluation, and the installation of support and lightning protection systems.

Essential Functions:

• Prune and groom trees and shrubs for health, safety, and appearance. Remove dead and hazardous trees. Clean area of debris after removal of trees and shrubs.

• Install and maintain lightning protection systems. Cable and brace trees with structural defects.

• Apply pesticides as needed, which may necessitate the use of tree injection equipment for some treatments.

• Participate in winter clearing of natural areas for the control of invasive species, preservation of desirable species, and expansion of collection areas.

• Participate in snow removal operations and storm damage clean-up.

• Provide assistance for special events, exhibits, and the wood reutilization program.

• Provide operational support to Arboretum scientists for their ongoing research projects.

• May lead the arborist crew in daily operations during the absence of the Arborist Supervisor. Responsibilities include work delegation, record keeping of work completed, and the coordination of storm damage inspections along roads and trails.

• Assist the Arborist Supervisor with the training of Climbers, including basic and advanced climbing techniques, tree risk assessment, equipment inspection, maintenance, and operation, tree removal/riging skills, and aerial rescue.

• Assist the Arborist Supervisor with the training of Collections & Horticulture and Facilities staff in the proper use of chainsaws on the grounds.

• Perform all duties with the highest safety standards and quality standards in accordance with A.N.S.I. A300 (quality) and Z133 (safety). Safely operate and maintain all motorized equipment according to the operator’s manuals. Participate in and present safety talks to the crew on a regular basis.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required. 5+ years of demonstrable arboricultural work experience required. Must be able to obtain and maintain certification as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist within 12 months of hire and an Illinois Pesticide Operator's license within 3 months of hire. Ability to identify common tree species and major insect and disease problems affecting trees in the Midwest required. Ability to climb trees and use the equipment necessary to perform various types of tree work is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills required. Must be able to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within 9 months of hire, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Ability to obtain and maintain ISA’s Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) within 3 years of hire or promotion. Must become certified and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR (classes provided). Must become familiar with and utilize GIS mapping and field apps to assist with the tracking and record keeping of tree maintenance work. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications beneficial.

Success Factors:

Ability and willingness to adapt to a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in all weather conditions. Decision making skills and the ability to prioritize. A clear understanding of A.N.S.I. A300 pruning standards as well as A.N.S.I. Z133 safety standards and the ability to utilize these standards to ensure safe work practices. Strong work ethic and a commitment to continuing education within the field of arboriculture. Ability to relate effectively and work with people of various backgrounds and ages.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

• Physical Demands: Requires significant amount of physical activity: some lifting and carrying (up to 80 lbs.), climbing (up to 70 ft.), walking on varied terrain, and traveling by vehicles. Sense of vision and hearing in the normal range with or without correction. Sense of touch and the ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment required.

• Work Environment: Work is performed mostly outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Equipment: Climbing equipment, arborist tools, snow equipment, aerial lift truck, chipper, stump grinder, dump truck, utility vehicles, two-way radio, tablet, Chromebook, general office equipment.

• Schedule: May require occasional evening and weekend work.