Technician II, Forestry

POSITION TITLE: Technician II, Forestry (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)

REQUISITION #: req8027

DEPARTMENT: Parks

LOCATION: PARKS MAINTENANCE SHOP

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $48,918.00 - 73,376.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $55,000.00 - 68,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/9/2025.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check, motor vehicle report, and Post Offer Employment Testing (P.O.E.T) required. Drug test also required within 48 hours of offer for CDL license holders. Non-CDL candidates required to drug test within 96 hours of offer.

CDL Drivers are required to register with the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse at: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment
  
  

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins values urban trees that contribute to the community in many ways. As a result of this, the Forestry Department takes care of trees in urban spaces in different capacities. One of the key jobs to help take care of trees is the Technician II position. This is a dynamic position where a multitude of different skills and relevant knowledge are put to use on a daily basis.

If you are passionate about trees, have good communication skills, enjoy being active and outdoors, and have an interest in running equipment - this is a great job for you. A typical day of work includes a variety of the tasks such as tree pruning utilizing modern climbing techniques, pruning trees from an Aerial Lift, tree planting, and stump grinding. Administrative work, documentation, and other tree maintenance related activities are part of helping us managing the urban trees in Fort Collins.

The ideal candidate is highly experienced in pruning a wide variety of tree sizes, is an International Society Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, and has some advanced education in the field of Arboriculture, Forestry, or Natural Resource Management.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Works under the supervision of the Forestry Crew Chiefs.
• Performs technical urban forestry functions such as large tree pruning, structure pruning of small trees, tree removal with traditional rigging and/or cranes, and tree planting.
• Operates, maintains, and does basic repairs including light and heavy equipment necessary for all operations.
• Identifies, evaluates, and recommends mitigation options of defective trees.
• Operates equipment such as brush chipper, log loader, stump grinder, backhoe, loader, skid-steer, chain saws, traffic attenuator and aerial lift.
• Plants trees according to division and industry standard specifications.
• Provides information to both internal and external customers relative to arboricultural practices.
• Successfully integrates into Forestry Operations crew as one of the team members.
• Enters information and tracks data in the TreeKeeper inventory database.
• Occasionally oversees other Forestry staff members.
  
  

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
  
  

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Ability to be flexible to work additional hours in situations when resources are needed.
• Ability to meet divisional goals, establish a cooperative working relationship with other employees, department/divisions, and the general public.
• Ability and skills to evaluate and do general maintenance and repair on large equipment, small machines, and chain saws.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong interpersonal and public relations skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to resolve conflicts, utilizing various problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to incorporate knots, hitches, and mechanical rope devices into technical climbing and rigging situations, including cranes.
• Ability, skill, and knowledge to climb and prune trees of all sizes for health and structure.
• Proficient operation of chain saw, aerial lift truck, log loader, front end loader, tractor, skid-steer, pickup truck, trucks with trailer, tree spade, brush chipper, and stump grinder.
• Comprehensive knowledge of arboricultural practices and proper tree maintenance and management including the American National Standard Institute Z133.1 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations and the A-300 Tree, Shrub, and other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practices.
  
  

MinimumPreferred

Required Qualifications

College degree of equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certifications or advanced degrees. Associates/Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Experience Requirements

• Three years of progressive experience in urban tree care with focus on current arboricultural practices; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proficient in all aspects of relevant specialized equipment.
  
  

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist certification required. International Society of Arboriculture Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist certification or ability to obtain within 12 months. Class B Commercial Drivers License or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
  
  

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Technician II, Forestry

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

BACKGROUND CHECK, MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT, POET, AND DRUG TEST REQUIRED WITHIN 48/96 HOURS OF OFFER.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.