Tree Worker

City of Spokane; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Spokane is hiring Urban Forestry Temp-Seasonal Tree Workers. The role involves skilled field work like planting, pruning, and maintaining trees.

Candidates should ideally have a high school background or equivalent plus specific work experience in arboriculture. Responsibilities include supporting Urban Forestry staff, tree inspections, and maintaining the tree inventory database.

This position works Monday to Friday, offering part-time and flexible arrangements.

Qualifications

• Two years of high school or equivalent AND one year of work experience in arboriculture, horticulture, or urban forestry.
• One year of college education specific to arboriculture, horticulture, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Perform skilled and technical field work in Urban Forestry.
• Assist in the planting, pruning, care, maintenance, and removal of trees.
• Conduct inspections of permitted commercial tree work.
• Update the City tree inventory database.

Skills

Understanding and following instructions

Effective communication

Physical labor

Teamwork

Education

Two years of high school AND one year of work experience in arboriculture

One year of college education in arboriculture or related field

Job description

Urban Forestry Temp‑Seasonal Tree Workers

Perform skilled and technical field work in Urban Forestry. Tasks include assisting in the planting, pruning, care, maintenance, and removal of park, public, and street trees. Duties may also include inspections of permitted commercial tree work and updating the City tree inventory database. Physical demands vary from medium to heavy work and may require significant exertion depending on tasks assigned. Duties are performed under all weather conditions and terrain.

Supervisor: Employee works under general supervision utilizing standard procedures. Work is repetitive in nature, and once learned, it is expected to be performed with less supervision. Follows established procedures and refers unusual or unfamiliar situations to the supervisor.

Typical hours are Monday‑Friday, 6:30am-4:00pm. Part‑time and flexible hours and days can be accommodated.

Essential Functions

• Tending, watering, mulching, planting, and transplanting trees and shrubs.
• Maintenance of nursery operations.
• Pruning trees and shrubs.
• Removal of trees and shrubs.
• Assists in the diagnosis and treatment of tree and shrub diseases and pests.
• Assists in site evaluations and tree inspections related to permitted commercial tree work.
• Updates tree inventory database related to public and street tree work.
• Provides general support to Urban Forestry staff, projects, and events.
• Performs all work in compliance with current policies, specifications, standards of practice and standards of care established by the City of Spokane, the International Society of Arboriculture, and the American National Standards Institute.

Requirements of Work

• Two years of high school, trade school, or equivalent AND one year of work experience in arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, or a closely related field.
• One year of college education specific to arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, or a closely related field.

Ability To

• Understand and follow oral and/or written instructions.
• Communicate effectively with tact.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other staff members, and the general public.
• Perform tasks requiring moderate levels of physical labor, potentially under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Safely operate equipment around the public and co‑workers.
• Stand for up to four hours consecutively with one 15‑minute break, to read standard print and text displayed on a computer monitor, to operate a computer and other office equipment, and to exchange information by email, telephone, and/or in person.
• Lift and carry, push and/or pull, or move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Perform related work as required.

Behavioral Standards

Respectful, courteous, and friendly to customers, citizens, other City employees, and City leadership. Effectively communicate with customers, citizens, other City employees, peers, and managers. Positively represent the City, maintaining the trust City residents have placed in each of us. Value integrity; demonstrate honest and ethical behaviors. Value diversity; demonstrate equitable and inclusive behaviors. Value public service; demonstrate a growth mindset, collaborative approach, consistency, and teamwork.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status.