Arborist Assistant (VHE)

Schedule: The individual(s) selected for this role will work 40 hours per week.
Work week: Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Blue Lake Regional Park, but you will be performing work across the region at our various parks and cemeteries
 
Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
 
The Parks and Nature department is looking for an Arborist Assistant to work closely with our Metro certified Arborist to execute tree care plans and maintenance tasks, primarily focusing on pruning and trimming to enhance tree health, appearance, and safety. Additionally, the Arborist Assistant will help with hazard tree removals, plantings, and ensuring newly planted trees survive.
 
As the Arborist Assistant you will

• Receive comprehensive training and supervision for safe and efficient work completion.
• Assist park staff and Arborist with storm cleanup and hazard mitigation in parks and cemeteries. 
• Perform monitoring activities, trails closures and other safety related activities to ensure the work sites are safe and clear of the public and staff.
• Prune and trim trees using precision hand tools and power equipment.
• Tend to newly planted trees ensuring proper watering during the heat of the summer.
• Assist in the removal of dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, employing chainsaw skills and rigging techniques.
• Operate and maintain various tools and equipment essential for tree care and landscaping including chainsaws, pruners, dump trucks, and woodchippers.
• Clean up debris and waste generated during tree care activities.
• Ensure the work site is left clean and safe for park guests.
• Adhere to safety protocols and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Attributes for success

• Skilled in various pruning techniques and tree care operations.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with team members.
• Strong customer service skills to assist and address questions from park guests.
• Demonstrated adaptability to work efficiently in varying weather conditions and terrain.
• Emphasis on safety as a top priority, ensuring the well-being of team members and the public.
• Ability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities including heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under inclement weather conditions, and lifting up to 50 pounds. 
• Ability to safely operate vehicles and equipment.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION                                              
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.  
 
Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan
 
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• High School or GED, AND
• One year of experience in performing broad building and mechanical maintenance tasks to demonstrate an ability to solve problems, work as part of a team or independently, and read instructions and specifications related to the actual work performed; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Special requirements

• Upon hire:
  • Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Within 6 months of hire:
  • First Aid/CPR Certification, and such other certifications and licenses as may be required
  • Possess all certifications necessary for safe operation of equipment

Driving record check

• The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired.
• Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Working conditions
Duties may require prolonged strenuous efforts in hazardous locations, contaminated areas, enclosed spaces, at heights, under inclement weather and other adverse conditions.
 
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
 
Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience surveying and mapping trees
• Experience operating dump trucks and other large vehicles including pulling trailers safely on public roadways
• Experience in the safe operation and maintenance of chainsaws and other power tools
• Basic Pacific Northwest tree species identification

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online
• Responses to supplemental questions 

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check 
• Driving records check for finalist candidates

REPRESENTATON
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LIUNA 483. It is classified as a Maintenance Worker I. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
 
Questions?
Recruiter: Jasmine Cárdenas
Email: Jasmine.Cardenas@oregonmetro.govEqual employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
 
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
 
Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
 
Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
 
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.
 
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Salary : $28