Technician I - Arborist

Cañon City, CO; Colorado; On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cañon City Parks Department is seeking an Arborist Technician under the Forestry Services Program. Under supervision, you will perform skilled and semi-skilled tasks related to the care and maintenance of street trees and vegetation, including operating heavy forestry equipment.

The role includes trimming, risk assessments, climbing with rope and saddle, developing work plans, and responding to 24-hour storm events.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 12 months experience in tree pruning/removal.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License; CDL preferred.
• ISA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Trim and remove trees, prune limbs.
• Conduct tree risk assessments.
• Climb trees using rope and saddle.
• Operate aerial lift and other forestry equipment.
• Maintain gear and safety practices.
• Assist with emergency storm response.
• Prepare materials and supplies for tree care.
• Educate citizens on forestry standards.

Skills

Tree care knowledge

Tree climbing (rope & saddle)

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Customer service

GIS/tree inventory familiarity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Aerial lift

Chippers

Grappler

Stump grinder

Chainsaws

Loader

Dump truck

Skid steer

Job description

Description

Department: Parks

Reports to: Parks Supervisor

Hourly Wage Rate: $21.99 - $26.95

Benefits Information

FLSA Status: Full-time non-exempt

Position closes: Midnight, Sunday, September 27, 2026

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Senior Arborist Technician, assists and supports the City’s Forestry Services Program. Under supervision, performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks related to the care and maintenance of street trees and other vegetation, including the operation and maintenance of various specialized forestry equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities*

The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are central to the job or are the reason the position exists, and the employee must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. This list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Follows directives of Senior Arborist on daily assignments.
• Trim and remove trees, remove unwanted, diseased or dying limbs on trees.
• Conduct tree risk assessments observing for condition, defects, maintenance needs and pests.
• Climbs trees to perform maintenance using industry accepted rope and saddle techniques.
• Assist the Senior Arborist with tree risk assessments and inventory updates, staff safety trainings and establishment of safe work zones.
• Develop work plans with guidance of Senior Arborist.
• Familiarity with ANSI standards.
• Use proper pruning techniques following guidelines within Arboriculture Best Management Practices.
• Educates and explains forestry standards of street tree maintenance to citizens.
• Maintenance of gear and equipment for daily use.
• Operates machinery needed in the maintenance of trees including the operation of aerial lift, chippers, grappler, stump grinder, chainsaws, may also be required to operate other heavy equipment.
• Performs 24-hour emergency storm response in coordination with other departments.
• Maintains a safe working environment.
• As delegated or assigned by the Senior Arborist, prepare material and supply orders for Large Tree Care activities.
• Assists with special events and holiday programs (may occur on weekends and holidays).
• Acts as an Emergency Worker.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities*

The following duties, although not essential to the position, are important components to the smooth and efficient operation of the Division, Department, and City.

• Attend trainings, seminars, and meetings as required.
• Assist in maintaining GIS tree inventory program.
• Assist with educational programs such as Arbor Day.
• Plant, water, and mulch trees.
• Assists Parks and Cemetery staff as needed.
• Provide information to the public relative to tree care and arboricultural practices.
• Assist other division and department staff with forestry related problems and situations as well as provides trainings to forestry staff and other departments.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The essential and non-essential duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Knowledge of tree biology, Colorado tree and shrub identification.
• Knowledge of tree care best practices.
• Ability to identify common insects and tree diseases of the front range.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of tree establishment and structural pruning.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of job site safety and maintaining a safe workspace using industry standard methods.
• Knowledge of industry standard practices and safety standards are required.
• Knowledge of safe operation of industry specific equipment; chippers, chainsaws, stump grinder, aerial lift, etc. is required.
• Ability to properly maintain, prepare and operate all tools and equipment including chainsaws, chippers, aerial lifts, and more.
• Knowledge of modern arboricultural principles, standards, and best management practices.
• Knowledge in the use of Asset Management system to inventory trees.
• Ability to read, listen and follow directions/instructions from supervisory staff.
• Ability to provide outstanding customer service and get along with coworkers, patrons, and supervisors and interact with employees and vendors in a professional manner.
• General knowledge of tree industry preferred.
• Ability to identify tree species and determine health and safety.
• Familiarity with operation of aerial lift, grappler, stump grinder, chipper, loader, dump truck and skid steer.
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools.
• Skilled in proper pruning techniques, safe tree removal, a variety of climbing techniques and procedures, chainsaw safety, and general best management practices within arboriculture
• Knowledge of tree climbing skills with rope and saddle and essential PPE.
• Skilled in Aerial Rescue Training

Requirements

Minimum Qualification(s):

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work at heights up to 75 feet.
• Familiarity with operation of aerial lift, grappler, stump grinder, chipper, loader, dump truck and skid steer.
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools.

Experience

• A minimum of 12 months experience working in the tree pruning and tree removal service industry including rigging and roping down procedures.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Colorado Driver's License
• Colorado Class ‘B’ Commercial Driver’s License, with Airbrake Endorsement, or the ability to obtain one within 6 months from date of hire. This deadline may be extended at the discretion of the Department Director. Must have a driving record acceptable to the City of Cañon City.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

Preferred Qualification(s):

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Trained in Aerial Rescue Procedures.
• Continued Education in Forestry, Urban Forestry, or similar discipline.
• Competent in the operation of aerial lift, grappler, stump grinder, chipper, loader, dump truck and skid steer.
• Knowledge of tree climbing skills with rope and saddle and essential PPE.

Experience

• A minimum of 24 months experience working in the tree pruning and tree removal service industry including rigging and roping down procedures.

Education

• None

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Colorado Class ‘B’ Commercial Driver’s License, with Airbrake Endorsement.
• Chainsaw Certification.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification.

Physical Activities:

The physical demands 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 the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee will travel within the City of Cañon City and Fremont County

• Performs work outside most of the time, under varying and extreme weather conditions.
• Ability to work in environmental conditions which may include excessive noise, dust, pollen, gases, oils solvents and chemicals including a variety of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
• Physical demands of job require some lifting; pulling; carrying and pushing of objects –approximately 75 pounds.
• Frequent bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, and hearing.
• Ability to perform duties at a variety of heights.
• Occasional climbing on stairs.
• Communicates verbally with City staff, outside agencies and the public in one-on-one settings, group settings and over the telephone.

Additional Information

• This position will typically work Monday – Friday but will flex to working weekends and evenings based on seasonal, organizational or event needs.
• This position will be required to attend occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events after normal work hours.
• Travel within the City of Cañon City and Fremont County will be required.
• Frequent extension of workday to meet deadlines.

Additional Notification:

This position may be subject to a pre-employment drug test prior to hire, or reasonable suspicion testing after hire. The City of Cañon City, as a recipient of federal grant funds, maintains a strict drug-free workplace policy. The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs while on company property or performing job duties is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Although Marijuana and its derivatives, in some cases, are considered legal in the state of Colorado, they are still considered a Schedule I controlled substance under the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act (FDFWA), which makes their use, possession, or distribution illegal by City of Cañon City employees.