Job Detail

Arboriculturist

Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: $36.47 - $42.57 Hourly

Position Description

About Seattle Parks and Recreation:
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens, and swimming pools. Our mission is to provide welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate and build community, as well as to promote responsible stewardship of the land. We support healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities. We strive to deliver excellent customer service to each visitor and participant. SPR is also deeply committed to advancing the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) by working to end institutional and structural racism.
 
SPR manages a 6,414-acre park system of over 485 parks and extensive natural areas. SPR provides athletic fields, tennis courts, play areas, specialty gardens, and more than 25 miles of boulevards and 120 miles of trails. The system comprises about 12% of the city's land area.

About the Position: 
SPR Urban Forestry is seeking well-qualified candidates to fill two Parks Arboriculturist positions. These positions plan and may supervise the planting and maintenance of trees and plant material used in landscaping City-owned and controlled property. As technical experts, Arboriculturists use their specialized knowledge and unique skills in planting, care, and maintenance of trees and plant materials used in landscaping.

The Arboriculturist position requires comprehensive knowledge of the care and maintenance of trees including technical knowledge of soil conditions and pesticides. The work requires the ability to identify tree, abiotic and biotic plant disorders and recommend corrective treatments. Specific guidelines and procedures exist, however, the Arboriculturist will exercise judgment in monitoring maintenance and planting budgets and responding to citizen concerns and inquiries. The Arboriculturist develops work plans and priorities and maintenance schedules. The Arboriculturist will oversee Tree Planting and Watering, Dutch-Elm Disease Prevention, Stump Grinding, and Preventative Tree Maintenance programs and may supervise up to 4 Tree Trimmers.

Job Responsibilities

 

• Supervise and direct the work of tree crews involved in the maintenance of vegetation on Parks-owned and controlled property.
• Serve as the technical expert with unique skills and abilities pertaining to planting, care of trees, and plant materials.
• Implement comprehensive maintenance, replacement, chemical control, and care program for park trees.
• Inspect park trees and plantings for disease and pruning needs. Develop a treatment plan and/or pruning schedule. Monitor the work of crews to ensure completion.
• Investigate and respond to complaints from the public.
• Coordinate with other departments to provide services necessary for planting and/or removing trees.
• Appraise the value of trees.
• Develop and manage project budget for acquisition and maintenance of trees and plantings.
• Order and inspect tree materials.
• Maintain inventory of all trees and plants.
• Plan and conduct training sessions for staff and/or the public in the care, installation, and maintenance of trees and plantings.
• Perform other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

 

Qualifications

 

Minimum Requirements:

• Requires a minimum of three years of experience in the care, planting, and maintenance of trees and plant materials, and a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Botany, or related field and demonstrated experience in supervision or lead work is required (or a combination of education, training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

License, Certification, and Other Requirements:

• A valid Washington State driver's license 

The Successful Candidate Will Have:

• ISA Certified Arborist.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified.
• Experience in appraising plants using standard industry methods.
• Experience in writing arborist reports including plant appraisals, and tree risk evaluations. and performing tree inventories.
• Experience in assessing and evaluating industry-standard tree work procedures.
• Knowledge of Best Management practices for Arboriculture and current industry standards.
• Knowledge of industry-standard tree protection during construction projects.
• Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to effectively utilize ARCGIS.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public via email, written reports, and at public events.

 

 

Additional Information

 

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Required to work in all weather conditions and stand, bend and walk for extended periods. 

• Occasional exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides is required.

Why work at the City?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services. 
 
Applications will be accepted for this position until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• Cover Letter

This hiring process includes a pre-employment physical.
 
This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17.  Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
 
Questions? Contact [email protected]

SPR's Core Competencies are:

• Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high-quality standards. 
• Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity. 
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information. 
• Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City. 
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

 

 

Agency

City of Seattle

Address

Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website

http://www.seattle.gov/jobs

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