Park Technician - Urban Forestry

City of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); Presencial; USD 46.000 - 60.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Vacation leave

Holidays

Sick leave

Medical insurance

Life insurance

FSAs

EAP

Retirement plan

457 plan

Descripción de la vacante

The Park Technician - Urban Forestry with the City of Bellingham performs skilled tree work, including aerial tasks and rigging, and may lead staff in daily operations. The role interfaces with public and private properties, often under hazardous conditions such as storm damage.

Qualified applicants should have two years of professional tree care experience, climbing and rigging expertise, and Tree Risk Assessment experience. Some substitutions with related coursework are allowed.

Formación

• Two years of experience in professional tree care including pruning, felling, removals, and using lowering systems.
• Two years of experience in climbing techniques and rigging systems.
• Two years Tree Risk Assessment experience.
• Two years or coursework or training in horticulture, environmental science, arboriculture, or a related field may substitute for one year of required experience.

Responsabilidades

• Perform aerial tree work including climbing and lift-truck operation.
• Organize, prepare and set up climbing and rigging gear, anchors and rigging points.
• Review and comment on developers’ Arborist Reports.
• Serve as lead to assigned staff, providing training and day-to-day direction in all areas of tree work.

Conocimientos

Tree care experience

Climbing & rigging

Tree Risk Assessment

Educación

Arboriculture or related field coursework

Descripción del empleo

Bring your urban forestry expertise to a city that values its canopy, and elevate your career where the North Cascades meets the Salish Sea. We are seeking a skilled individual to take on meaningful tree preservation and safety work across Bellingham’s iconic urban forests. Step into this role with the Parks and Recreation Department where your technical skills directly shape the resilience of our green spaces.

JOB SUMMARY

The Park Technician - Urban Forestry performs a variety of skilled technical duties and physical labor associated with technical tree work and other arboricultural duties. Assists with, and performs, aerial tree work including climbing and lift-truck operation. Organizes, prepares and sets up climbing and rigging gear, setting up anchors and rigging points, and operates lines and lowering devices. Reviews and comments on developers’ Arborist Reports. Serves as lead to assigned staff, providing training, technical guidance and day-to-day direction in all areas of tree work. Work zones include interfacing with public and private properties, occasionally under stressful or hazardous conditions such as storm damage.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This position will start at Step 1 ($33.59/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $33.59 - $43.83. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on ou employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 11/30/26, 8:30 AM Pacific Time

• Two years of experience in professional tree care including pruning, felling, removals, and using lowering systems.
  • Two years or coursework or training in horticulture, environmental science, arboriculture, or a related field may substitute for one year of required experience.
• Two years of experience in climbing techniques and rigging systems.
• Two years Tree Risk Assessment experience.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
• Must secure and maintain an I.S.A. Certified Arborist Certification within 24 months of hire.
• Must obtain and maintain a Washington State Herbicide/Pesticide License within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License within 18 months of hire.
  • Must pass CDL-related drug and alcohol testing throughout term of employment in position
• Must secure and maintain a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Certification TRAQ within 12 months of hire.
• Must secure and maintain a Flagging/Traffic Control Certification within 12 months of hire.
• Must secure and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certification within 12 months of hire.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to hire (This position is considered a safety sensitive position; therefore, the pre-employment drug test includes testing for cannabis. Positive test results will exclude an applicant from being hired).
• Must be willing and able to work weekends or evenings to respond to emergency call-out situations.

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along.

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around December 2, 2026.
2. Oral Board Interview: All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of December 14, 2026. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
3. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Oral Board Interview (100%).

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Parks and Recreation. This position is represented by a union.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.