Arborist

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Parks Manager and assigned under direct supervision of a Parks Foreman (Forester), responsible to perform a variety of maintenance and care of trees, including diagnostics and treatment and all landscaping within Draper City.  Duties to include but not limited to the application of a management plan including planting, pruning, spraying, protecting, and removal programs for public trees and associated vegetation; assistance with budget preparation; and interaction with the community (both public and private) with volunteer service groups, city initiated public plantings, politicians, and other agencies.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises seasonal workers and other staff as assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assists with landscape maintenance, restoration, beautification, and design efforts.

Develops and implements strategies for soil improvement, such as composting, mulching, and applying fertilizers.

Assists gardening staff in selecting suitable trees, shrubs, and woody plantings.

Provides proper care following established standards for planting new trees and maintains newly planted trees including water, fertilization and stabilization to ensure healthy new growth of new trees.

Transplants and prunes shrubs and small trees.

Monitors tree and plant health and growth, identify issues, and implements appropriate solutions to ensure optimal tree and plant development.

Maintains an accurate tree inventory database, provides accurate data to committees, commissions, and management. Monitors and assesses tree inventory for trees that are at risk.

Assists the Parks and Recreation Director and Tree Advisory Committee in developing a comprehensive city-wide approved tree planting program.

Attends monthly Tree Advisory Committee meetings as required by the Parks and Recreation Director or Park Manager.

Engage with homeowners, businesses, or government entities, to provide expert advice on plant selection, landscaping, and maintenance.

Identifies Draper Street trees that need to be pruned to enable city business to succeed, ie: Garbage trucks, snowplows, electric companies, etc.

Responsible for the care and maintenance and pruning of all park trees in Draper City Parks.

Coordinates and assists in long-range planning of the urban forestry program; future planting, pruning and removal

Stimulate healthy plant growth through the use of appropriate horticultural methods; demonstrates proper fertilization methods; controls insects and disease through proper cultural practices and chemical methods where needed; assist in tree acquisitions.

Performs other related duties as assigned by Parks Manager or Foreman.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education – High School diploma or E.D.

Experience – Two years of experience working as a certified arborist. Must be knowledgeable in use of tools of the trade for general arborist work. Must understand different tree diseases local to Utah and how to remedy and follow best practices.

License and Certification

Valid Utah Class B Commercial Driver License.

Valid ISA Certified Arborist Certificate

Valid pesticide certification – or the ability to acquire within 6 months of employment.

Utah Certified Nursery (or Landscape) Professional – or the ability to acquire within 6 months of employment

Chainsaw Operator Training Certification – or the ability to acquire within 6 months of employment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of –

Principles and practices of working in a medium-sized municipal parks maintenance program

Operation of motorized equipment essential to tree care such as chainsaws, chippers, arial lifts, pole saws,

Essential elements of a comprehensive urban forestry program, state, and local government

Current practices and procedures of maintaining urban forest including tree planting, species selection, maintenance, and tree pruning

Tree protection measures for construction sites and other heavily traversed public areas

Skilled with –

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, employees, volunteers, public officials, and the public

Maintaining confidences and business practices in an ethical manner

Use and operation of heavy equipment, hand power tools, including chippers, aerial boom lifts, and maintenance practices of such equipment and tools

Ability to –

Follow city policies and procedures, establish priorities, concentrate on tasks accurately, and accomplish duties in a timely manner

Work with parks and trails staff

Assist in the implementation of maintenance programs and work assignments

Understand and follow instructions; receive, give, gather and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Exercise initiative and sound judgment and react resourcefully under varying stressful conditions

Assist in planning and directing the work of skilled and unskilled workers

Read landscape plans, maps, utility prints, and familiarity with tree protection measures on construction sites. Maintain records

Gather, analyze, evaluate, interpret facts, and then prepare and present them in a concise manner

Retain, coordinate, and motivate employees; establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, employees, public officials, and the public

Work effectively in precarious positions at considerable heights above the ground

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Position requires working outdoors. Tasks require a variety of physical activities. Regularly required to talk, hear, see, walk, sit, stand, reach, use hands/finger to feel, handle, and grip, climb or balance and stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability and discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. May be confined to small spaces to perform work. Regular exposure to wet and/or humid conditions. (Performance of duties may require working in varied weather conditions such as extreme cold or hot conditions.) Frequent exposure to fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and dusty or greasy conditions. Frequent exposure to high levels of noise. Operate equipment and drive vehicles. Must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Schedule is typically 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, at times, position may be assigned to work early morning or late evening shifts, and weekends depending upon scheduling needs of the city or city facilities.  During the winter months, position will participate in snow and ice control operations, which involves being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as needed.

Draper City is an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, and veteran or military status.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major responsibilities and duties performed on the job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job-related tasks and duties that an employee may perform. An employee in this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This job description is not intended to and does not infer or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. This updated job description supersedes prior descriptions for the same position. Management reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on site

In Season April - October 980 Schedule to be determined

Monday to Friday up to 40 hours per week. (Schedule to be determined.)

Salary range: $23.22 - $38.74 (Starting wage is dependent on experience.)

Health insurance (Traditional or HDHP with employer HSA contribution up to $3,300 per benefit year) effective DOH or Medical Cash Out

Gym and Wellness Incentive Program Reimbursement

401(k) up to 3.5% match effective DOH

Enrollment in Utah Retirement System (URS)

Employer paid Life Insurance of 100K

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid parental leave

13 holidays

Tuition Reimbursement eligibility after completion of new hire probation