Urban Forester

The City of Troy is hiring an Urban Forester for its Public Works Department. This full-time role involves tree management tasks like trimming, planting, and pruning, along with community engagement and equipment operation. Candidates must be current City of Troy AFSCME employees with a high school diploma/GED and three years of experience as a tree pruner-climber. A valid Michigan driver license and various certifications are required.
About the position

The Urban Forester position within the Public Works Department's Parks Division of the City of Troy, Michigan, is a full-time role that emphasizes the importance of urban forestry in enhancing community amenities and promoting economic growth. The Urban Forester will function as a tree artisan, engaging in a variety of tasks that include trimming, pruning, planting, identifying, cutting, climbing, grafting, and coordinating transplanting operations. This role is crucial for the long-term care and management of city trees, which involves consulting with residents on private tree matters and applying a comprehensive tree management plan that includes planting, pruning, and removal programs. The Urban Forester will also interact with residents and other agencies to ensure effective communication and collaboration regarding tree management. In addition to tree management, the Urban Forester will operate various equipment, including hand tools, power tools, trucks, chippers, tractors, and loaders. The position requires performing general labor and maintenance work, preparing for job tasks by reading electronic tickets, and documenting actions taken after each job repair through clear and detailed electronic summaries. The Urban Forester will be responsible for retrieving and logging all job summaries into required software programs, such as CityWorks, and performing related duties as assigned. This role is essential for maintaining the health and aesthetics of the urban forest, which contributes significantly to the quality of life in Troy. Candidates for this position must be current City of Troy AFSCME employees and possess a high school diploma or GED, along with three years of full-time paid experience as a tree pruner-climber. The role requires a valid Michigan driver license, a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake and tanker endorsements, and various certifications, including Certified Arborist status. The Urban Forester must also be able to perform physically demanding tasks in various weather conditions, demonstrating the ability to lift heavy objects and work at heights. This position is not only about managing trees but also about fostering community engagement and ensuring the sustainable management of Troy's urban forest.

Responsibilities
• Function as a tree artisan, including tasks such as trimming, pruning, planting, identifying, cutting, climbing, grafting, and coordinating transplanting operations.
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• Responsible for the long-term care and management of City trees; consult with residents on private tree matters.
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• Apply a tree management plan including planting, pruning, and removal programs; mitigation; interaction with residents and other agencies.
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• Operate equipment including hand tools, power tools, trucks, chippers, tractors, and loaders.
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• Perform general labor and maintenance work.
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• Receive and prepare for job tasks by reading electronic tickets before performing job duties.
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• Write clear and detailed electronic summaries of actions taken after each job repair.
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• Retrieve and log all job summaries into required software programs, such as CityWorks.
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• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements
• High school graduate (or GED equivalent).
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• Three (3) years current full-time paid experience as a tree pruner-climber.
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• Ability to lead other staff members in a safe manner under normal and adverse working conditions.
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• Basic knowledge of lawn irrigation systems including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting; saw maintenance and repair.
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• Must possess and maintain a Certified Arborist certification with the International Society of Arboriculture, or ability to acquire within one (1) year of hire.
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• Obtain and maintain a valid Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Certification and License in category #3A, 3B, and 6 or acquire this certification within six (6) months of hire date.
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• Maintain other certifications, such as First Aid, CPR, and Electrical Hazard Awareness, as provided by the City.
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• Must have a valid Michigan driver license with a good driving record (based on City of Troy standards).
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• Must have a CDL (Commercial Driver's License), including air brakes (A) and tanker (N) endorsement, and Medical Card as required by the State of Michigan before probation period is complete.
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• Ability to lift on occasion 100 pounds, with frequent lifting/carrying/pulling of 50 pounds, and/or constant lifting of up to 20 pounds.
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• Ability to perform all job duties in extreme weather conditions such as exposure to heat, cold, wet, and slippery conditions.

Nice-to-haves
• Current ISA Certified Arborist

Benefits
• Full-time position with a competitive hourly wage ranging from $29.55 to $31.37 per hour.
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• Participation in the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement.