Arborist

Summary Statement

The City of Boise celebrates the rich tree canopy that provides a variety of clean air and water benefits for our parks and neighborhoods, with more than 35,000 public trees gracing our city. Join us as an Arborist to help inspect, maintain, and replace the city’s namesake.

• Performs skilled and technical tree maintenance including pruning, removal and planting in public rights-of-way and on city-owned and maintained properties.
• Operates and maintains a variety of specialized equipment and tools.
• Responds to 24-hour emergency callouts and addresses risks and hazardous trees.
• Requires a Class A CDL, but is open to Non-CDL drivers willing to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
• This position works under general supervision.

Essential Functions

Performs skilled and technical tree maintenance, including pruning, removal, and planting of trees in public rights-of-way and on city-maintained properties. Uses arboricultural tools to prune trees for health and public safety according to defined pruning standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Utilizes advanced arboricultural climbing and rigging skills to perform maintenance and tree removals.

Evaluates and determines the safest methods for removing hanging or downed branches and trees. Performs safety inspections of trees prior to climbing. Implements necessary safety precautions during tree maintenance operations. Coordinates with forestry staff in tree planting duties to ensure trees are professionally planted for health and longevity. Operates and maintains medium- to heavy-duty equipment, such as aerial lift towers, brush chippers, stump cutters and backhoes to perform duties. Prepares and applies pesticides and herbicides according to city procedures.

Performs routine inspections to identify maintenance needs and safety issues. Examines work orders and maps, and coordinates work based on location. Coordinates with staff to determine which tasks are priorities and adjusts schedules and routes accordingly. Inputs data into work orders and timesheets ensuring a detailed record of work performed.

Ensures an accurate and detailed record of all pesticide applications is maintained. Attends arboriculture training to maintain certified arborist status on an annual basis. Attends and passes city-sponsored safety and training classes. Maintains an adequate level of chemicals, tools, and related equipment. Tracks and reviews the inventory of equipment and tools to develop projections of future material requirements.

Directs fieldwork of volunteers and seasonal staff. Provides training and corrective guidance to volunteers and seasonal staff. Ensures compliance with all safety protocols and trains volunteer and seasonal staff on the equipment and tools utilized.

Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• High school diploma or equivalent and
• 4 years of experience in tree operations or college-level coursework in biology, horticulture, or related fields,
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• tree anatomy and biology;
• landscape plans and map reading;
• materials, equipment, and methods used to plant and maintain trees;
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and ANSI safety standards for tree work; and
• computer usage including related software.

• recognize dangerous/risk trees;
• safely operate all tools and vehicles;
• safely climb trees;
• communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and
• perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Associate's degree in arboriculture, biology, or related field and three years of experience working with plant removal and pruning
• Idaho Pesticide Operators License issued by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture
• Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture in any of the following areas: Certified Arborist, Arborist Utility Specialist, Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist, Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist, Certified Tree Worker, and/or Aerial Lift Specialist.

• Idaho Class A commercial driver's license.

• Valid state-issued driver's license.

• Ability to obtain within one year of employment: Idaho Pesticide Operators License issued by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture; International Society of Arboriculture Certification as an Arborist and/or Tree Worker.

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Driving Record Check

Working Conditions

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is always lifting/carrying up to 35 pounds, frequently lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 100 pounds. Also, the employee is always pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds, frequently pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds, and occasionally pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds. The noise level is always moderate and frequently very loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell, and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb, and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity. Additional physical efforts include: twisting, climbing, bending, and and carrying hand and power tools up and around trees.

Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases, or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards and work in/at heights. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids, and chemicals. Must navigate and be aware of: falling limbs, trees, high winds, storms, ice, snow, rain, stinging insects, poisonous plants, thorns, snakes, and related pests.
This position works: on call 24/7 for tree related emergencies.