Job Description

Park Arborist

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Park Arborist

Salary

$32.20 Hourly

Location

City of Bellingham, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

24-PARK ARBORIST

Department

Parks and Recreation

Division

Park Operations

Opening Date

10/25/2024

Closing Date

11/18/2024 8:30 AM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Local 1937

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Nature of Work

The City of Bellingham's Parks and Recreation Department is looking for an ISA-certified arborist with experience in managing and leading all aspects of arboriculture in substantial rural or urban settings. If you meet these qualifications, we encourage you to apply today!

The Park Arborist plans, schedules, implements, monitors, and evaluates work for trees and forest stands in City parks, public spaces, open space areas and right-of-way areas. Provides tree hazard assessments, makes recommendations for forest stand management, removals and plantings. Includes a variety of specialized techniques and equipment for climbing and rigging. Other duties include performing routine maintenance on equipment; training and leading subordinates to assist with tree care. Coordinates activities with other sections of the Parks Department, other City departments as well as developers and contractors. Represents the City as a consulting Arborist for City departments, providing a professional opinion and written reports on City tree issues.

This position will start at Step 1 ($32.20/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement ( and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $32.20 - $39.62. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems ( pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the Citys 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

+ Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org) (

+ Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Tues. 11/18/24 8:30 AM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Plans, schedules, implements, monitors, and evaluates work activities involved in managing the Citys urban forest. Trains and leads the work of others in tree care practices including lifting and lowering devices, chainsaw operation, aerial lift operation, felling, pruning, and chipping. Completes necessary written and computerized reports for area of assignment. Works with Park Grounds Maintenance Manager to plan and prioritize tree work activities.

2. Represents the City as the consulting Arborist for Parks, Planning, and Public Works, as well as developers and contractors. Reviews plans, provides plans, makes recommendations and monitors implementation in the field. Provides job time and cost estimates. Uses GIS and other mapping/information systems to identity and track urban forestry assets in City controlled areas.

3. Performs technical tree work such as pruning, tree felling, bucking, brush clipping, and tree removals using a variety of ground and aerial techniques and equipment. This includes using rope and saddle and spur and flip line climbing techniques, aerial man lifts, cranes, chainsaws, and rigging systems.

4. Assesses hazard tree concerns, considers the Citys potential risk and liability and provides recommendations, including written reports.

5. Assesses tree situations and provides recommendations for actions including plantings, removals and other management practices.

6. Directs the daily activities of the Park Technician Urban Forestry and other assigned resources.

7. Operates a wide variety of equipment such as trucks, brush clippers, tractors, loaders, chainsaws, blowers, trimmers, as well as other power equipment and hand tools. Operates large dump trucks with large brush chippers in tow. Performs routine maintenance on tree care gear, tools and equipment.

8. Answers questions and concerns from the public and from staff in other program areas.

9. Trains others in tree and shrub care and the care and use of the related equipment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Majority of work is performed out-of-doors, in all weather conditions, performing technical tree work and assessing tree hazards and other situations in the Citys areas of responsibility. Environment creates potential of hazardous conditions, including working at considerable heights with chain saws and rigging. Must work in natural areas, developed park sites, as well as in the urban streetscape. Some work will be performed in an indoor setting while performing documentation of work and some equipment maintenance. Responds to emergency call-out at all hours.

Experience and Training

+ Four or more years of recent experience in technical arboriculture including technical tree removals and pruning, rope and saddle, spurs and flip line, aerial lifts, rigging and related tools and equipment.

+ Successful completion of one year of coursework relative to arboriculture may be substituted for one year of required experience.

+ Four or more years of recent (within the last 10 years) experience as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist participating in the planning and execution of arboriculture in significant rural or urban environments including hazard tree assessment and written reports.

+ Must have and maintain International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist certification.

Necessary Special Requirements

+ Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check.

+ Valid Washington State drivers license by time of hire and good driving record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.

+ Ability to secure a Commercial Drivers License within six months of hire and to maintain a valid CDL during length of employment. Must pass CDL-related drug and alcohol testing throughout term of employment.

+ Ability to secure a Washington State Pesticide License within 12 months of hire.

+ Ability to secure a valid flagging certification within 6 months of hire.

+ Ability to secure a valid First Aid and CPR certification within 6 months of hire.

+ Ability to secure Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Certification within 12 months of hire.

Selection Process

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.

Application Review Process:

+ Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around November 20, 2024.

+ All applications that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of December 2, 2024.

+ Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Oral Board Interview (100%) - applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher from the Oral Board Interview to be placed on the eligibility list.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Parks - Operations. This position is represented by a union.

If you wish to claim Veterans Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form ( and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

+ The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.

+ The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.

+ The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.

+ The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section ( for additional information.

This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Local 1937 labor agreement ( .

This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website ( for more information on PERS.

Civil Service Information

This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.

Veteran's Scoring Criteria

Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form ( and upload it to your application with your DD214.

01

This position requires a Class A CDL with air brakes endoremsement within 6 months of hire and ability to pass CDL-related drug and alcohol testing throughout term of employment., please select your status:

+ I currently possess a valid CDL license

+ I am willing to obtain a CDL within the required 6 months

+ I do not have a CDL and will not obtain one (checking this box will disqualify you)

02

Do you have or are you willing to obtain a Washington State drivers license and provide a 3-year driving history prior to hire?

+ Yes

+ No

03

Do you possess or are you willing and able to obtain the following certifications within the required timeframes?

+ Washington State Pesticide License within 12 months of hire.

+ Valid flagging certification within 6 months of hire.

+ Valid First Aid and CPR certification within 6 months of hire.

+ Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Certification within 12 months of hire.

+ Yes

+ No

04

Do you have and are willing to maintain an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist certification.

+ Yes

+ No

05

Do you have four or more years of recent experience in technical arboriculture including technical tree removals and pruning, rope and saddle, spurs and flip line, aerial lifts, rigging and related tools and equipment. (Experience must be reflected in Work History within Application)

+ Yes

+ No

06

If you answered no to the question above: Successful completion of one year of coursework relative to arboriculture may be substituted for one year of required experience. Please describe coursework below.

07

Do you have four or more years of recent (within the last 10 years) experience as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist participating in the planning and execution of arboriculture in significant rural or urban environments including hazard tree assessment and written reports (Experience must be reflected in Work History within Application).

+ Yes

+ No

08

Please describe your experience in technical arboriculture in each of the following areas:

+ Technical tree removals and pruning

+ Rope and saddle

+ Spurs and flip line

+ Aerial lifts

09

Please describe your experience operating related arboriculture tools and equipment.

Required Question

Agency

City of Bellingham

Address

104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225

Phone

360-778-8228

Website

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City of Bellingham

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, Part time, For contractors, Work experience placement, Local area, Flexible hours,

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