Urban Forestry Groundsperson

Salary : $20.24 - $26.21 Hourly

Location : Whitefish, MT

Job Type : Seasonal

Job Number : 2025-0012

Department : Parks & Recreation

Opening Date : 02 / 06 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 6 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Mountain

General Purpose

The City of Whitefish, Montana is actively recruiting for the Urban Forestry Groundsperson position for our Parks & Recreation Department. We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply!

One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain - home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park.

This position will remain open until filled.

This position will be filled on a "seasonal" "temporary" or "short-term" basis dependent upon the applicant's availability and timeframe worked, past and present. This position will be filled to work for the approximate time period of May 2025 - September 2025.

For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 406-863-2464 or email HR@cityofwhitefish.gov.

EOE-AA-M / F-VET-DISABILITY

GENERAL PURPOSE :

Performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance and operations of all urban forestry within the jurisdiction of the City's parks, greenways, open spaces and grounds.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED :

Works under the supervision of the Urban Forester / Landscape Foreman and Arborist.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED :

May supervise community service workers.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

The following duties are typical for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

It is expected that every employee should be on time, fully prepared, every day that the employee is scheduled to work.

As directed, orient, train and supervise the work activities of community service workers. Assure work is performed in accordance with sound safety practices set forth by the Urban Forester & Arborist.

Perform all functions of forestry maintenance at a high level of proficiency.

Proficiently operate all assigned equipment and vehicles to perform any operation within the capacity of the machine as necessary to accomplish required work.

Operates numerous types of equipment such as chain saws, chipper, skid steer, stump grinder, and numerous forestry and landscape hand tools.

Performs skilled forestry maintenance, such as pruning, planting, and removing of trees.

Assists in felling and rigging of trees.

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES :

Maintenance techniques in the care, construction and operation of City parks system, open spaces and green belts.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience :

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and
• Two years of experience in forestry work, or
• Any equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

Valid Montana State Driver's License

Knowledge of Landscape Maintenance

Supplemental Information

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USE :

Pickup truck; chain saws, chipper, stump grinder, skid steer, dump trailer, and numerous hand tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.

The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move more than 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and / or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES :

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Whitefish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the city will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The City of Whitefish does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, creed, political idea, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and / or expression in its hiring or employment practices.

A "Seasonal" employee means a permanent employee who is designated as seasonal, who performs duties interrupted by the seasons, and who may be recalled without the loss of rights or benefits accrued during the preceding season.

A "Temporary" employee is designated as temporary for a definite period of time not to exceed 12 months, performs duties on a temporary basis, is not eligible for permanent status, is terminated at the end of employment period, and is not eligible to become a permanent employee without a competitive selection process.

A "Short-Term Worker" is a person who may be hired without using a competitive hiring process for an hourly wage , may not work for more than 90 days in a continuous 12-month period, is not eligible for permanent status, may not be hired into a permanent position without a competitive selection process, may be discharged without cause, and is not eligible to earn leave and holiday benefits.

Employees classified as "seasonal" or "temporary" may receive and use the following benefits as outlined in the City of Whitefish Personnel Policy :

Benefits of working for the City of Whitefish include :

Salary : $20 - $26