ARBORIST

The City of Helena is an equal opportunity employer. The City shall, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities.

**This is a regular part-time position. The employee will work nine months out of the year and receive full benefits from the City of Helena.**

Job Purpose:
Under general supervision, performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks to develop, maintain and protect the city owned trees and urban forest. Tasks may include pruning of young and mature trees; hazardous tree removal; safe transportation and planting of baby trees; general evaluation of tree and forest condition; disease prevention; tree preservation and promotion of urban forestry information and ideas in city parks and public rights-of-way.
Essential Duties: These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned.

Duty I: Urban Forestry Operations

75% Time
Essential
Tasks :

• Mature tree pruning and care in parks and city right of way in the presence of moving vehicles and often working over cars, fences, houses or other valuable targets.
• Formative pruning of young trees according to prescribed standards
• Removal of trees that have been determined to be dead, dying, infested with pests or has an unacceptable level of risk
• Grind stumps resulting from the removal of trees and make repairs to irrigation systems that may be damaged.
• Plant trees in parks and city right-of-way
• Receive, package, and care for nursery stock including bare root, container, and ball and burlap.
• Water nursery stock and planted trees
• Constant monitoring of trees for defects and failures to ensure public safety
• Set up temporary traffic control devices on local roads, collectors and arterial roadways according to approved temporary traffic control plan when working in the right-of-way
  

Duty 2: Storm Damage Response and Clean Up

10% Time
Essential
Tasks :

• Respond to damaged trees during extreme weather events and/or in the dark. Mitigate active hazards (blow-over, stem failure, crown or stem twist, root failure, branch failure etc) to ensure public safety.
• Clear roadways for public and emergency vehicle traffic, clean up debris from city owned trees after storm events and record damage for inventory.
• Work with other departments that may have responded or be on scene such as Police, Fire, Streets etc.
• Occasional call-out outside of normal scheduled work time such as nights, weekends, holidays and storms as needed.

Duty 3: Other work as assigned

15% Time
Secondary Duties
Tasks :

• Monitor and diagnose trees for disease, insect, or other biological agents - According to direction, collect, label and evaluate samples for various pests and disease including emerald ash borer. Conduct destructive branch sampling according to DNRC standards and record results. Properly package and label biological samples to be sent to diagnostic lab. Place and monitor insect traps.
• GIS Inventory - Accurately track work and maintenance activities and collect tree inventory data with GIS Online based inventory system using tablets.
• Assist Parks Maintenance with snow removal and general parks maintenance
• Regular monitoring, preventative maintenance and minor repairs to all equipment used including but not limited to sharpening, lubricating, cleaning, pre-trip inspections etc.
• Gear inspections - regularly inspect all life support systems and PPE for excessive wear or expiration.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this Position:
Knowledge of:

• Montana Code Annotated and Helena Municipal Code relating to trees and vegetation in the parks and rights-of-way
• ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations
• ANSI A300 Best Management Practices
• Utility locate markings and digging procedures within the vicinity of underground utilities
• Tree biology and the ability to assess general condition and health
• Proper, industry accepted methods for tree care.
• Working in a safe, efficient and effective manner and proper use of personal protective equipment for all activities.

Skill or ability to:

• Operate aerial lift vehicle, chain saws, woodchippers, stump grinders, pole pruners, hand saws, bobcat skid steer/tractor loader, truck and trailer combination in a safe, efficient and effective manner
• Advanced tree climbing
• Advanced technical rigging and rope work, with understanding of loads and forces
• Interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner and be able to clearly communicate department goals and objectives.
• Identify tree species
• Accurately read and follow maps, traffic control plans, and use GPS/GIS database systems on portable tablets.
• Recognize and plan for the needs of Helena’s urban forest, work closely with city staff, other departments, contractors and volunteer organizations to see projects to completion.

Physical Demands:
Duties require frequent periods of standing, walking, talking or hearing, climbing or lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing, reaching with hands and arms, and using hands to finger, handle or feel. Weights up to 80 pounds are frequently encountered with some exposure to items weighing up to and in excess of 400 pounds with assistance. Duties require upper body (back, shoulders and neck) strength. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hazards include frequent exposure to high-speed chain saws; moving, mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outdoor weather conditions (sun, heat and cold); risk of electrical shock; cramped quarters; vibration; stinging insects; and human error. Hazards can also include occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, vehicle traffic, and angry/hostile humans. Must be able to add, subtract, divide and multiply. Reading materials require complex interpretation; verbal instructions require moderate interpretation.
Safety
Performs all functions in the safest possible manner and according to policies and procedures. Participates fully with safety trainings. Reports unsafe work conditions and practices, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near-misses as soon as possible to assigned supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training):
This position requires a minimum of High school diploma or equivalent, plus some (1-3 years) experience in arboriculture or related tree work such as logging/thinning, wildland fire, trail crew etc. Grounds maintenance, landscaping, and horticulture experience may also qualify depending on the situation. The operation, maintenance and minor repair of a variety of light and heavy duty equipment, including chain saws, tree trimming tools, aerial lift trucks and general shop equipment is desirable. Other relevant combinations of education and work experience may be evaluated on an individual basis.

License or Certificate:
Must possess a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record at the time of hire and ability to obtain a valid MT CDL – Class B within 6 months of hire.
Must have or obtain Arborists Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture within 12 months of hire.
Must have current CPR/First Aid or obtain within 6 months of hire.

Supervision Received:
Supervised by the Urban Forest Supervisor

Supervision Exercised:
May act as a lead worker of a seasonal or regular work crew.