City of Rochester logo
Full-time
On-site
Rochester MN 55904, Minnesota, United States
$28.46 - $36.93 USD hourly
Arborist / Tree Surgeon

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Rochester welcomes applications for:

Arborist

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together    


Nature of Work
This is a skilled position in the Parks and Recreation Department which is responsible for the preventative care, formative pruning, and removal of trees and shrubs to improve appearance, maintain usability, improve plant health and minimize storm damage. Work will require comprehensive knowledge of tree removal techniques to ensure safety on the job.

Arborists can see the impact their work has on Rochester’s landscape/environment that will benefit the community for years to come, along with the impact it will have the residents. This position is well suited for those looking to work as a team, primarily outdoors.  

Pay Rate: 2025 starting hourly rate is $28.46 with advancement to $36.93.

This position is part of the International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 49. Individuals in this role, are part of the Local 49 Central Pension Fund, where $2.40 per hour is contributed to the fund; this is in addition to the City's Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) pension.

To have your application considered in the first round of reviews, please apply before July 28, 2025.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.

*Tree & plant installation, maintenance and care activities.

  • Plant, prune, remove, chemically treat, and provide general care of trees and shrubs.
  • Operate hand and power tools, saws, light and medium duty equipment, and various other grounds & tree maintenance equipment including, but not limited to: chippers, various sizes of aerial lift equipment, claw/clam/grapple truck, backhoe, GRCS, etc.
  • Plant trees and other plant material according to current applicable industry standards.
  • Inspect trees and shrubs to determine health, and perform integrated pest management and/or the application of pesticides/herbicides.
  • Properly perform tree pruning, full tree removals, repair of deformed or damaged trees, and other tree maintenance activities.
  • Clear/manage brush and tree debris removal from trails, roads, parks and other City properties.
  • Climb trees using a rope and saddle to prune trees or as part of a tree removal operation.
  • Maintains an accurate inventory and inspection system of all ropes, lowering devices, saddles, and other assigned arborist equipment.
  • Maintain and perform preventive maintenance on forestry equipment
  • Train seasonal employees in the techniques and procedures of pruning, removing, and planting of trees and other vegetation.
  • Respond to storm event and any resulting damage, which may include coordination of work with other divisions, departments, contractors.
*Administrative and safety requirements.
  • Assist the general public with questions regarding the procedures for removing and pruning trees or refer questions to supervisors, if needed.
  • Maintain records of daily tree work including participation and assistance with the Tree Inventory.
  • Comply with current OSHA and ANSI safety regulations and all City safety policies and procedures.
*Park and Forestry Division Assignments.
  • Perform general custodial duties including: sweeping, moping, vacuuming, general cleaning, waste & rubbish removal, and stocking supplies.
  • Perform necessary repair and maintenance of buildings, facilities, infrastructure, furniture and equipment.
  • Perform work utilizing various equipment found at park facilities, not noted above, including: material handling equipment, ice resurfacing equipment, athletic field grooming/painting equipment,
*Assist in non-departmental community events/activities.
  • Event set up/clean up – ie. Rochester Fest, Thursday's on First, Down by the Riverside, 4th of July Celebration, etc.
  • Provide operational support for activities at various City facilities including golf tournaments, hockey tournaments, baseball/softball tournaments, Rugby tournaments, Soccer events, swimming meets, etc.
*Assist in non-departmental community events/activities. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience
Associate's degree or two-year vocational certificate in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or closely related field AND three (3) years of experience performing preventative care, formative pruning, and tree removal OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Licenses and/or Certifications
Valid Minnesota Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake and tanker endorsements within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Non-commercial pesticide applicator license categories A and E; State of Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector certification; completion of the Electric Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP); and International Society of Arboriculture Arborist certification, within one year of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Desirable Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or related field.
Experience in pesticide application and integrated pest management and installation and maintenance of outdoor areas including naturalized landscapes.


If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

*THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)
Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

*THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY
The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

*Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY PARK AND RECREATION AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
In order to provide timely services, P&R has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.

New Hires
Individuals hired for designated positions with P&R covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.

Noncompliance with Residency Requirements
In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee. 

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling
Frequent demands: sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, foot controls
Occasional demands: fine dexterity, crawling

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.) 

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