Lead Arborist

Seattle Botanic Gardens; Seattle (WA); Presencial; USD 60.000 - 75.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Seattle Botanic Gardens in Seattle, WA seeks a Lead Arborist to oversee the Arborist team and perform skilled arboricultural duties, including climbing, pruning, removals, inspections, and risk assessments under the Arboretum Manager of Horticulture.

The ideal candidate will hold ISA Certified Arborist credentials, demonstrate strong leadership, safety compliance, and experience operating arboriculture equipment. Collaboration with UW campus grounds and Seattle Parks crews is expected.

Formación

• HS Diploma or an equivalent combination of training and relevant work experience.
• Three years experience as an Arborist, at least one of which as a Lead Arborist.
• ISA Certified Arborist certification.
• Tree appraisal training and experience.
• Experience safely operating and maintaining equipment including wood chippers, stump grinders, chain saws, and other arboriculture tools.

Responsabilidades

• Lead Arborist duties, supervise a small Arborist team, and coordinate weekly work planning.
• Supervise and train staff on arboriculture projects and safety practices.
• Oversee contractor work and coordinate with UW campus grounds and Seattle Parks crews.
• Perform tree climbing, pruning, removals, bracing/cabling, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Ensure equipment maintenance and safe operation of spider lift, bucket truck, and related tools.
• Maintain records and submit reports related to planting, dead trees, and site conditions.

Conocimientos

ISA Certified Arborist

Tree climbing

Safety compliance

Team leadership

Equipment operation

Risk assessment

Educación

HS Diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in arboriculture/forestry

Herramientas

Microsoft Office Suite

Descripción del empleo

Position Title: Lead Arborist

Reports to: Arboretum Manager of Horticulture

Paygrade: 27

Salary: $28.97 - $36.22

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Workplace Status: Full-time

Posting Dates: 10/12/2026 – 11/12/2026

About Seattle Botanic Gardens

Gardens are an essential part of the human experience. We visit gardens to find peace and healing, to be with friends and family and to better understand and connect with the natural world. Plants shape how we live, what we notice, and how we care for one another.

Right now, we are building something extraordinary in Seattle: an exceptional organization that brings together the unique strengths of the Arboretum Foundation and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. We are joining forces to become a destination garden, exemplifying leadership in scientific research, public engagement, and inclusive access. Our vision is to be a home for discovery, a force for sustainability, and a gateway to wonder. In every visit and through every season, we’ll help people of all ages meaningfully connect with the living world of plants and how they shape our lives and our shared future.

The 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum includes a vibrant collection of more than 40,000 plants from around the world with trails to explore, educational programs for youth to adults, and respite for all.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Arboretum Manager of Horticulture, the Lead Arborist is responsible for leading and supervising the Arborist team of two climbing Arborists and safely performing skilled arboricultural and horticultural duties. This position requires knowledge and experience in aerial operations, including technical climbing, tree pruning, tree removal, bracing/cabling, and experience conducting tree inspections, tree risk assessments and appraisals.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Leadership, Supervision, and Coordination

• Coordinate weekly arboriculture work planning and scheduling with WPA Manager of Horticulture
• Supervise team of Arborists.
• Assist with hiring and conduct onboarding of new Arborists.
• Coordinate with Manager of Horticulture in developing and following an arboriculture work plan.
• Assign work, check in with each staff regularly, and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Lead Arborists in Arboriculture projects including removals, pruning, and inspections.
• Train and lead horticulture ground staff assisting in arboriculture projects
• Enforce all safety rules and regulations.
• Conduct training for staff in arboriculture topics, equipment usage and maintenance, and safety.
• Obtain arborist contractor quotes and coordinate contractor work.
• Direct and inspect the work of contractors, interns, and staff involved in arboriculture activities.
• Coordinate and implement arboriculture work with UW campus grounds and Seattle Parks and Recreation tree crews.

Arboriculture

• Climb trees to perform arboriculture needs such as tree removals, pruning, bracing/cabling, inspections, etc., using free climbing with ropes and saddle as per ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A300 and Z133 standards for tree care operations.
• Perform spider lift and bucket truck operations.
• Perform remediation of compacted and poorly drained soils, cultivation and use of organic mulches
• Monitor, document, and conduct follow-up operations for tree hazards
• Determine and assist in general tree care such as pruning, pest management, and soil management.
• Construction planning and contractor oversight for tree and root zone protection and other construction impacts to trees.
• Conduct tree risk assessments, pest and disease inspections, and inspections of cabling and hardware in trees.
• Survey, evaluate, and appraise trees to assist in project development

Equipment and Tool Maintenance

• Coordinate and perform routine maintenance on arboriculture equipment including spider lift, stump grinder, wood chipper, Dingo, Bobcat, utility vehicles, trucks, trailers, and chainsaws.
• Research and order supplies and equipment needed for operations in coordination with Manager of Horticulture.
• Keep records of equipment maintenance in coordination with Manager of Horticulture.

Communications, Record Keeping, and Administrative Tasks

• Submit reports for collection plants, including planting reports, dead reports, and condition reports.
• Assist direct reports in record keeping.
• Maintain daily email correspondence.
• Provide clear oral and written communication with staff, supervisors and community partners.
• Develop and follow collection management plans for addressing pest and disease issues in coordination with Plant Heath Specialist and Manager of Horticulture
• Occasionally lead tours of collections, gardens and operations for donors, partners and special interest groups as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required

• HS Diploma or an equivalent combination of training and relevant work experience.
• Three years experience as an Arborist, at least one of which as a Lead Arborist
• Ability to climb trees with a rope and saddle.
• Possession of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification.
• Tree appraisal training and experience
• Experience safely operating and maintaining equipment including wood chippers, stump grinders, chain saws, utility vehicles, tractors, mowers, trimmers, and blowers.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Nice to have

• Ability to take direction, work well with others and as a leader of a team.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with high emotional intelligence and a collaborative leadership style.
• Knowledge and practical experience with WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety & Health Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) regulations.
• Experience with standard productivity software including Microsoft Office Suite
• Comfort interacting with the public.
• Bucket truck and aerial lift training, experience and certification
• Associate degree (or greater) or equivalent training in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, or related plant science.

Professionalism

• Support the mission, vision, and strategic goals, as a part of the Seattle Botanic Gardens, to serve both internal and external customers.
• Follow and support Seattle Botanic Gardens policies and procedures.
• Evaluate own performance and assumes responsibility for professional development.
• Demonstrate and models Process documentation for clarity and consistency.
• Maintain current knowledge of all changes affecting area of work.
• Conduct self in a professional manner and follows and support the core values, commitments, and behaviors.
• Maintain appropriate professional appearance and confidentiality.

Job Specific Physical Requirements

• May be required to accept variable work shift, including occasional weekend and evening work.
• Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Ability to works at heights using approved safety precautions.
• Ability to lift and move heavy material
• Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Approved footwear must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job.
• Ability to work with hazardous materials such as bleach, gasoline, pesticides, and motor oil.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Frequent requirement to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms
• Frequently involves extended workdays and periodically involves irregular work hours.
• Regular group and public speaking.
• Occasional travel and/or overnight work schedules.
• Requires attention to detail and ability to concentrate on figures, paperwork, data, etc.
• Frequent pressures related to meeting deadlines and fulfilling scheduling requirements.
• Frequent distracting influences such as people, phone calls, noise and so forth.
• Frequent simultaneous handling of multiple tasks and intermittent or cyclical work pressures.
• Occasionally requires on-call availability to handle work problems, emergencies/crisis situations etc.
• Occasional work at multiple sites or travel.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Seattle Botanic Gardens shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include hiring and termination of staff, selecting volunteers, selecting vendors, and providing services.