Arborist

Position: Arborist

Department: Urban Landscape

Employment Status: Permanent - Full Time - Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Compensation: Grade 6; Salary Range starting at $19.58/hour

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Urban Landscape Director, the Arborist performs work involving the inventory and care of city trees. The Arborist may train and lead the work of seasonal interns. Regular schedule is Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. During peak seasons varied hours may be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - KNOWLEDGE – SKILLS - ABILITIES

• Updates and enters data on city trees to the current software system.
• Assists grant writer in identifying urban and community forestry grants, assists in creating an Urban Forest management plan.
• Responds to citizen inquiries.
• Assists in planning and implementation of Arbor Day celebration, works with volunteers, provides technical expertise to city departments, reports to Public Works priority lists of hazard trees.
• Assists in management of contracted tree services, coordinates with Communication Department to provide useful info for the city website, meets with Morgantown Tree Board.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Plants, prunes, mulches and care for city trees, oversees early structural development of newly planted trees.
• Maintains a safe, efficient work environment by cleaning, organizing, and sanitizing arborist work areas including storage, nurseries, and office spaces.
• Knowledge of the organization and programs of the City of Morgantown.
• Knowledge of basic first aid and safety skills.
• Demonstrates an ability to follow arboriculture industry standard safety practices involving ergonomics, equipment, tools, and personal protection equipment.
• Demonstrates a familiarity with the basic federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, manufacturer specifications, education standards, policies, and procedures governing the arboriculture field.
• Demonstrates knowledge and an ability to operate job related equipment, motor vehicles, and tools properly and safely.
• Demonstrates an understanding and an ability to use and learn a range of current and modern job-related equipment, tools, computer hardware, and software applications.
• Demonstrates an ability to follow, guide, orient others in established safety practices, care of equipment, current technology, and best arboriculture work methods.
• Demonstrates an ability to work under general supervision to prioritize work; meet deadlines; define and evaluate project and program results; and plan and implement assignments.
• Demonstrates an ability to effectively listen, speak, write, and interact tactfully in both a work and public setting. Consistently follows oral and written instructions from supervisors.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequent exposure to physically demanding, unpleasant, strenuous, and/or hazardous elements.
• Follows arboriculture industry standard safety practices involving ergonomics, equipment, and personal protection equipment.
• Must have the ability to lift 50 lbs.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

• Position has daily use of computers, the Internet, Smartphones, etc. to create databases, spreadsheets, or reports. Position designs and creates customized reports, presentations, and/or documents using advanced software skills.
• Position uses specialized software such as GIS, SCADA, or telecommunications software.
• Equipment that may be used on a regular basis includes but is not limited to chain saws, weed eaters, pruners, pole pruners, loppers, shovels, spades, pry bars and assorted hand tools.

CONTACT & SUPERVISION

• Position involves frequent internal and external contact, but generally on routine matters such as furnishing or obtaining information.
• Occasionally responsible for limited supervision of seasonal interns.
• Reports to the Urban Landscape Director.

The City of Morgantown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• High School, plus elementary technical training, acquired on the job or through 1 year or less of technical and business school.

Certification/License:

• ISA, Pesticide License Category 4 (must be obtained within first year of employment)

Experience:

• 1-3 years of relevant experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Urban Forestry, Arboriculture, Urban Forestry or Natural Resources.
• Experience in forestry or arboriculture work.