About the Department

The City of Madison Streets and Urban Forestry Division is looking for its next Arborists! The successful candidates will perform skilled manual work involving the care and maintenance of City trees within proper safety guidelines. The work includes pruning, insect/disease treatment, technical tree removal; the preparation and planting of new trees; and the maintenance of related equipment. Work is performed under the general leadership of an Arborist 2 with overall supervision received from a Forestry Foreperson.

The current recruitment is to fill four (4) vacant positions

This recruitment will create an eligible list that will be used to fill additional Arborist 1 positions that may become vacant in the next six (6) months

Employees receive base salary step increases after successful completion of 6, 18, 30, and 42 months of employment. Longevity pay provisions take effect at the beginning of the fifth year of continuous employment.

The designation of Arborist Trainee (starting annual salary is $58,405.88) will be given to an employee who does not possess technical tree climbing skills with ropes and harness or who otherwise lacks all minimum qualifications for the Arborist 1 classification.

An employee with technical tree climbing skills using ropes and harness and who possesses all of the minimum qualifications for the Arborist 1 classification will be hired as an Arborist 1 (starting annual salary is $63,871.08); to be determined at the time of hire.

Employees receive base salary step increases after successful completion of 6, 18, 30, and 42 months of employment. Longevity pay provisions take effect at the beginning of the fifth year of continuous employment.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Position Duties

Prune and remove trees in the public right of way and on other City properties and perform other tasks related to the care and treatment of city trees:

Provide information to the public concerning tree pruning and related tree care activities.
Prune small trees from the ground using a pole saw, hand pruner, or pole pruner.
Ascend trees using ladders, rope and harness, or other methods.
Prune or cut branches using chain saws, handsaws, or other equipment.
Perform tree maintenance with an aerial tower or rope and harness.
Operate brush chippers, large log hauling trucks, and pull trailers.

Conduct related inspections and identify and treat diseases, tree injuries, and infestations:

Prune and remove decayed, diseased, and infested tree parts.
Prune and/or repair trees damaged by vehicles and storms.
Apply pesticides for insect or disease issues.

Pickup, prepare, and plant new trees in the public right of way, and other City-owned properties:

Operate auger, bobcat, toolcat, forklift, tractor, dump truck, and other related tree planting equipment.
Use shovels, steel t-posts, and rakes to plant trees.
Mulch and water newly planted trees.

Miscellaneous:

Operate, perform related safety checks, and assist in the maintenance of aerial towers, assigned vehicles, chain saws, and other equipment.
Operate snow removal equipment such as snow plow, snow blower, shovel, bobcat, and toolcat.
Perform related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of responsible experience in tree pruning and related tree care activities which involved significant experience in operating specialized tree trimming/pruning equipment.

-OR-

Two (2) years applying the following:

Tree identification, tree care, and the methods, techniques, and equipment used in pruning, insect and disease management, planting, and removal of trees.
Equipment and techniques necessary to perform the work safely.
Climbing trees and/or working with equipment at varying heights and angles.

Familiarity with the following:

Tree insects and diseases.
Computers and computer software applicable to the duties of the position.

To be considered at the Arborist 1 level, a candidate will need to demonstrate their technical tree climbing abilities with the use of ropes and harness.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities, please view the Arborist 1 classification specification.

Other Qualifications

Possession of a valid Class B Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License with N (tanker) endorsement. The successful candidate must have passed the written portion of the relevant Department of Transportation testing process before starting employment. A condition of continued employment is passage of the skills portion of the test and obtaining the required operator's license by the end of the probationary/trial period.
Certification in CPR and first aid or the ability to obtain certification within the probationary/trial period.
Required to obtain and maintain Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, Consumer and Protection pesticide certification in Category 3.0 by the end of the probationary/trial period.
Complete Incidental Line Clearance Tree Trimmer training by the end of the probationary/trial period.

Employees in the Arborist 1 classification will serve a six (6) month probationary period. An employee designated as Arborist Trainee will serve a 12 month probationary period.

Failure to obtain all certifications within the probationary/trial period will result in the employee not passing probation/trial period, absent extenuating circumstances.

Employees must maintain a Storm/Emergency Response Overtime acceptance rate of at least 50%.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to climb trees for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift 50 pounds individually.
Ability to push, pull, and maneuver up to 250 pounds working with others.
Ability to work in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to work on uneven terrain.
Ability to effectively communicate clearly.
Ability to successfully complete a forty hour work week. Must be able to work nights and weekends as needed for emergency response.

*Payroll title for Arborist Trainee is Public Works Maintenance Worker 1

Benefits

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current salary schedules for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our website for more information.

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.

0-3 years 10 work days of vacation
After 3 years 12-1/2 days
After 7 years 15 days
After 11 years 17-1/2 days
After 15 years 20 days
After 19 years 25 days
After 27 years 27 days

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Pet Insurance
Life Insurance
Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:

•457(b) deferred compensation plans
•Employee Assistance Program
•Bus Pass on Madison Metro
•Flexible Work Schedules
•Employer-paid Training

Supplemental Questions

There will be a performance exam as a part of the Arborist 1 process. Ascending a tree to a designated height using a rope and harness will be required. Do you understand and agree to this requirement?

How much experience do you have applying methods, techniques, and equipment used in tree planting?

None
Some, but less than one (1) year
One (1) to less than two (2) years
Two (2) or more years

How much experience do you have applying methods, techniques, and equipment used in tree pruning?

None
Some, but less than one (1) year
One (1) to less than two (2) years
Two (2) or more years

How much experience do you have applying methods, techniques, and equipment used in tree removal?

None
Some, but less than one (1) year
One (1) to less than two (2) years
Two (2) or more years

How much experience do you have applying methods, techniques, and equipment used in tree disease management?

None
Some, but less than one (1) year
One (1) to less than two (2) years
Two (2) or more years

How much experience do you have applying methods, techniques, and equipment used in insect management?

None
Some, but less than one (1) year
One (1) to less than two (2) years
Two (2) or more years

Have you completed an Urban Forestry internship?

Do you have an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification?

Do you have the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, Consumer and Protection pesticide certification in Category 3.0?

Are you CPR/first aid certified?

Please describe your experience in arboriculture including formal education, job training programs, work experience, equipment used, and crew role(s).

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: Madison, City of (WI)
Address: 215 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

MMB Rm 261

MADISON, Wisconsin, 53703
Phone: (608) 266-4615
Website: http://www.cityofmadison.com/jobs

Arborist 1 (Trainee Eligible)*