The City of Littleton has an exciting opportunity to help build our forestry initiatives! Be on the ground floor of the forest as we build up ours. The Arborist performs skilled tree work primarily with rope and saddle on city-owned trees under the guidance of the City Forester. The ideal candidate will have a love of trees and a deep knowledge of tree biology. Self-described tree nerds will do well in this role. Excellent candidates will be passionate about tree equity and excited by the idea of growing and developing the city’s forestry program. Ideal candidates will carry a safety-first mentality in all that they do. If you have a strong adherence to the ISA’s Best Management practices for tree care and love to talk trees, this might be the position for you! The City of Littleton is a vibrant community south of Denver and is consistently voted as one of America’s Best Small Cities (https://www.littletonco.gov/Government/Departments/Communications-Marketing-Events/Honors-Awards-and-Recognition) , and a top place to raise a family. Learn more about everything Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org . Home to a vibrant and historic downtown, and a variety of shopping venues, restaurants, parks and trails, there is a lot to offer to the wonderful people who live and work here. The City of Littleton offers outstanding benefits and perks to our employees. For more information, please see the 2024 Benefit Guide (https://www.littletonco.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/human-resources/documents-hr/2024-city-of-littleton-benefit-guide.pdf) . The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent and our strategies include **hiring in at market pay** and creating career development opportunities. In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton. **Hiring pay range $27.43 - $30.31 per hour** This full-time position is non-exempt per FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation. **Work Schedule** : This full-time position traditionally works on a “9/80 work week” schedule. For one week, employees work longer workdays with four nine-hour days (6:00 AM – 3:30 PM), Monday through Thursday. Every other Friday they work an eight-hour day (6:00 AM – 2:30 PM) with the alternating Friday being an off day. Individuals in this position must be available to work nights and weekends as needed for snow removal. Overtime opportunities are available throughout the year for special events and projects. **Application Deadline** : Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but **preference will be given to complete applications received by September 16, 2024** . Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered. **ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:** + Follows directives of City Forester on daily assignments. + Trim and remove trees, remove unwanted, diseased or dying limbs on trees. + Conduct tree risk assessments observing for condition, defects, maintenance needs and pests. + Maintain accurate tree inventory data, maintenance and removal records. + Assists in Arbor Day planning and celebration. + Prunes, thin, removes, grinds stumps, plants, waters, fertilizes, and inventories trees. + Performs and potentially oversees proper tree planting techniques. + Willingness to climb trees to perform maintenance with using industry accepted rope and saddle techniques. + Assist the forestry staff with tree risk assessments and inventory updates, staff safety trainings and establishment of safe work zones. + Familiarity with ANSI standards. + Trained in proper pruning techniques following guidelines within Arboriculture Best Management Practices. + Educates and explains forestry standards of street tree maintenance to citizens. + General knowledge of maintenance of gear and equipment for daily use. + Operates machinery needed in the maintenance of trees including aerial lift operation, may also be required to operate heavy equipment. + Performs 24-hour emergency storm response and snow removal duties in coordination with other departments. + Maintains a safe working environment. + Assist with special events and holiday programs (may occur on weekends and holidays). + May act as an Emergency Worker. + Performs additional duties as assigned. **MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:** + High school diploma or equivalent; and + One (1) year of experience in a documented tree climbing environment including experience with tree care, diagnosis, and pest identification; or + An equivalent combination of education, training and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position may be considered. + International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist or Certified Tree Worker required within first year of employment. + Must have a valid driver’s license. + Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check, motor vehicle records check, drug screen and physical. **Preferred Qualifications:** + Trained in Aerial Rescue + Continued Education in Forestry, Urban Forestry, or similar + Has a Pesticide Applicator’s License, or willing to obtain one + Skilled in proper pruning techniques, safe tree removal, a variety of climbing techniques and procedures, chainsaw safety, and general best management practices within arboriculture + Tree climbing skills with rope and saddle and essential PPE. **KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:** + Knowledge of basic tree biology, Colorado tree and shrub identification. + Knowledge of tree care best practices. + Ability to identify common insects and tree diseases of the Front Range. + Proper handling, and storage techniques for temporary holding of nursery stock. + Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of tree establishment and structural pruning. + Principles and techniques of job site safety and maintaining a safe workspace using industry standard methods. + Knowledge of industry standard practices and safety standards are required. + Knowledge of safe operation of industry specific equipment; chippers, chainsaws, stump grinder, aerial lift, etc. is required. + Properly maintain, prepare and operate all tools and equipment including chainsaws, chippers, aerial lifts, and more. + Knowledge of modern arboricultural principles, standards, and best management practices. + Use of Asset Management system to inventory trees. + Ability to read, listen and follow directions/instructions from supervisory staff. + Ability to provide outstanding customer service and get along with coworkers, patrons, and supervisors and interact with employees and vendors in a professional manner. **WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:** + This position will work outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to various chemicals related to fertilization and pest control. + This position requires strenuous outdoor work such as climbing trees with rope and saddle and working off the ground (up to one hundred (100) feet above ground) in trees or using aerial lift devices. + This position must be able to perform strenuous physical work which involves lifting and handling objects frequently which weigh up to 80 pounds from ground to waist height; ability to walk for 3-8 hours per day. + Ability to frequently handle miscellaneous maintenance equipment. + Requires ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, handle, feel, talk, hear voices, equipment engines, approaching traffic, near and/far visual acuity, depth perception, and color vision to perform essential functions of the position. + Must be able to understand verbal information and instruction. **Equal Employment Opportunity** The City of Littleton is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and intends to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other non-job related characteristic, and to hire and retain the best-qualified individuals without regard to any of these factors. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on a protected class. The City of Littleton will consider reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment. Applicants and employees can request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 303-795-3857 or emailing hr@littletongov.org . **Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace** The City of Littleton is committed to the health and safety of all its employees. To ensure a safe and productive work environment the city prohibits the use, sale, dispensation, manufacture, distribution or possession of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on any city premises or worksites. No employee shall report to work or be at work with alcohol or with any detectable amount of prohibited drugs in the employee's system. A detectable amount refers to the standards generally used in workplace drug & alcohol testing. This prohibition specifically includes marijuana, and decriminalized psychedelics whether used for medical purposes or obtained legally under state law. Check out the latest State of the City video to see why the City of Littleton is consistently voted as one of America’s Best Small Cities! **Set Up Job Alerts!** You can set up job alerts by creating an account. Once your account is set up, click the Job Alert link on your Candidate Home account page. Don't see the dream job you are looking for? Drop off your contact information and resume and we will reach out to you if we find the perfect fit!