Lead Arborist: Street & Park Tree Planting

City of Aurora; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Aurora is seeking an Arborist Small Tree Specialist to lead our street and park tree replacement program. You will supervise staff, manage stump grinding, and oversee planting contracts to support healthy urban canopies.

Work includes organizing planting projects, assisting residents, and coordinating with other departments for storm response and maintenance. In Aurora, CO, this role emphasizes public service and safety while growing competencies in arboriculture.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least three (3) years of green industry experience.
• Preferred certifications listed (e.g., ISA Arborist, TRAQ, aerial-lift, pesticide applicator).

Responsibilities

• Assist in organizing and executing ongoing tree planting projects for street and park trees.
• Responds to citizens about the tree planting program, stump grinding, and young tree maintenance.
• Plants, monitors, waters, and prunes young trees from the ground and aloft with an aerial lift.
• Organizes and executes stump grinding process to continually prepare planting spaces.
• Trains, supervises, and organizes staff in stump grinding, planting, establishment, and maintenance.
• Quality controls stump grinding and tree planting contracts.
• Updates planting site and new tree information in GIS inventory and internal databases.
• Receives tree deliveries and cares for trees during staging and transport.
• Maintains fleet and equipment used in stump grinding and planting operations.
• Assists tree crews with trimming and removal operations.
• Performs emergency storm response and snow removal duties.
• Serves as a crew leader on volunteer workdays.

Skills

CDL driving

Aerial lift operation

Tree planting

Project management

Equipment operation

Tree identification

Staff training

Customer service

GIS data collection

Education

High school diploma or GED

ISA Certified Arborist

TRAQ

ISA Aerial Lift Specialist

NALP Certified Horticultural Technician

CO Dept of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License

TCIA Chipper Specialist

TCIA Ground Operations Specialist

TCIA Chainsaw Specialist

TCIA Aerial Lift Specialist

Job description

The City of Aurora is seeking an Arborist Small Tree Specialist to lead our street and park tree replacement program. You will supervise staff, manage stump grinding, and oversee planting contracts to support healthy urban canopies.

Work includes organizing planting projects, assisting residents, and coordinating with other departments for storm response and maintenance. In Aurora, CO, this role emphasizes public service and safety while growing competencies in arboriculture.