Urban Forestry Technician - Phoenix Arizona

The Parks and Recreation Department provides residents and visitors more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves. The parks feature 41 trailheads and more than 200 miles of trails, 182 city parks. Additionally, there are 32 community and recreation centers, classes and sports programs for all ages, 29 pools, eight golf courses, and a variety of specialty and cultural venues and facilities.

Urban Forestry Technicians work in the Parks and Recreation Department to perform routine care and maintenance of hardwood trees and palms located throughout the urban forest of the city of Phoenix. This work involves the planting, pruning, removal, and general maintenance of trees. Other duties may include assisting foremen and crew with inspecting and determining the extent of pruning, removal, elevating, or other corrective action required for trees located on public property.

Duties Include:

• Operate aerial bucket truck to perform tree maintenance activities,
• Climb trees and work in precarious positions at considerable heights generally ranging from 30 to 70 feet,
• Use safety equipment and tools, prune trees to reduce risks and preserve tree health,
• Conduct visual inspections of trees along right of way, parks, and other public properties to determine corrective action necessary to help alleviate problems and concerns,
• Operate and help maintain a variety of equipment including aerial lifts, brush chippers, stump grinders, and chainsaws.

• Knowledge of pruning techniques to eliminate hazards and preserve tree health.
• The ability to fell dead or dangerous trees using chain saws, ropes, and aerial bucket truck.

$18.18 (minimum) - $24.96 (maximum) hourly / $37,814.40 - $51,916.80 annually.  

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes traditional pension with employer and employee contributions; choice of medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plan; wellness incentive of up to $720 annually; dental; vision; life insurance; long-term disability; 401(a) and 457 plans; medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan; bus/light rail pass; tuition reimbursement program; paid time off includes 12.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days. 

For more details, visit: Unit 001 Benefits

Pension Information

• Successful completion of the City of Phoenix Urban Forestry Trainee Program.
• The ability to perform a wide variety of tree pruning and removal work.
• Certification as a Tree Worker/Climber from the International Society of Arboriculture is desirable.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• The City job description can be found here.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• This classification requires the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. In addition, individuals are required to pass an Arizona Department of Transportation physical exam and possess the appropriate commercial driver's license.
• Pre-employment drug testing is required, and employees will be subject to unannounced alcohol and drug testing as a condition of continued employment. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work assignment, location, or shift.

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Obtain an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist of Certified Tree Worker.

Recruitment closes October 17, 2022. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This recruitment and any interview process as a result of this recruitment may be used by multiple hiring managers and multiple departments throughout the City to fill any related current or future vacancies; other recruitments and appropriate eligible lists may also be considered.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700.

Urban Forestry Technician, JC:40030, ID# 47188, 09/29/2022, 3 mos, MR, Benefits:001, Q

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.