General Statement of Duties

Under direct oversight, the Arborist I perform general tree care operations, often amongst a team of experienced arborists conducting skilled arboricultural work within City of Cincinnati rights-of-way, parks, and other public properties. The Arborist works under the daily guidance of the Lead Arborist, often as a ground person supporting those working in the maintenance of street and public trees. This work includes tree pruning, removal, planting, pest/disease management, and stump grinding. Other job-related duties are assigned as required.

Additional Details

Cincinnati Parks is seeking a driven and dynamic individual that is interested in getting into the tree care industry to apply to our entry-level Arborist I position. The Arborist I will work as part of a team of experienced arborists, gaining on-the-job experience performing general tree care operations within the City of Cincinnati along rights-of-way, parks, and other public properties. The Arborist I will work under the daily guidance of the Lead Arborist, often as a ground person supporting those working aloft in the maintenance of street and public trees. In this position, you will have opportunities to learn and practice tree pruning, removal, planting, pest/disease management, rigging operations, climbing, and stump grinding. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge Of

Tree identification techniques and general knowledge of both native species to the Cincinnati region and common species/cultivars in the local nursery industry, including their best use, common issues, and characteristics to inform their placement and use in the urban environment.

Basic tree maintenance techniques including the physics and dynamics of tree felling, proper pruning practices to maintain a healthy structure, shape, and clearance needed to promote their long-term development.

Equipment used in general tree maintenance (i.e., chainsaws, hand tools, chippers, stump grinders, etc.), as well as their proper usage/maintenance, safety procedures, and corresponding personal protective equipment (i.e., helmets, earmuffs, goggles, gloves, etc.) as defined within the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A300 industry standards.

Plant healthcare-related to trees, including a basic understanding of common diseases, insects and nutrient deficiencies and their corresponding treatments.

Usage/purpose of liquid and granular fertilizers to improve plant healthcare.

Basic mathematics (adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division) is sufficient to mix pesticides, fertilizers, and other materials.

Tree inventory methods and basic data collection.

Skill To

Perform all tree maintenance to industry standards.

Knot-tie for rope and saddle operations, use of ropes and cables for limb and tree removal.

Maintain and plant trees in accordance with International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) best practices and standards.

Safely and proficiently operate power equipment (chipper, aerial lift, chain saw, stump grinder, drill, metal grinder, etc.), hand tools (hand saws, loppers, pickaxe, sledgehammer, shovel, hoe, etc.) and common arboriculture tools (ropes, wedges, rigging equipment, etc.) in accordance with ANSI A300 industry standards.

Perform basic maintenance of all equipment (i.e., power tools, hand tools, PPE, and vehicles) to ensure safe and proper working conditions prior to use.

Drive a truck with trailer and/or chipper attached.

Perform emergency response duties during and after storms to manage down trees and branches impacting the flow of traffic and/or threatening the safety of pedestrians.

Ability To

Maintain a positive attitude and communicate effectively with fellow staff and the public.

Maintain a sharp focus, dedicated situational awareness, and consistent communication with crewmembers to ensure a cooperative and safe working environment, especially when setting up work sites, driving truck with chipper, operating equipment, managing ropes within the work site, working aloft and within densely populated and/or high traffic areas.

Work collaboratively as a team member to ensure safe working conditions for fellow staff, team members working aloft in the practice of tree care, and the public, specifically in relation to communication and management of site conditions (e.g., Vehicular, and pedestrian traffic, etc.).

Make logical and safety focused decisions both in the care of public trees and maintenance of a safe working environment for staff and the public.

Understand oral and written instructions.

Read at a level sufficient to understand instructions to guide daily workload and ensure proper utilization of pesticide, herbicide, and equipment.

Collect tree inventory data (e.g., tree species, current condition, and site details) utilizing a graphic information systems (GIS) cloud-based platform to geospatially locate individual trees managed by the department.

Required Education And Experience

Each applicant must have two years of experience in landscaping, horticulture, or tree care.

Acceptable experience includes the practical use of knowledge regarding pruning, fertilization, installation and establishment, diagnosis and treatment of tree problems, cabling and bracing, climbing, or other services that directly relate to arboriculture. Examples of experience sources include, but are not limited to Tree care companies, Nurseries, Landscape companies, Municipalities, State forestry agencies, Utility companies, Academic arboriculture/horticulture departments (for instructors), Horticulture/extension programs (for advisors), Consultancies, and Pest control providers (for advisors and applicators).

Other Requirements

Must have a valid Driver's License.

Must successfully acquire the following within the twelve (12) month probationary period:

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist
Ohio State Pesticide License Category

Category (6a) - Ornamental Plant Pest Control

Category (4a) - General Forest Pest Control

Failure to obtain and maintain an Ohio State Pesticide License and ISA Certified Arborist credential in the probationary period will result in termination of employment. Must be willing to work irregular hours and/or be on rotation for callouts to respond to emergency tree hazards after hours and on weekends.

Military Education & Experience Evaluation

Military education and experience in the tree care industry or a related field may be substituted for college level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case-by-case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.

Note: This position requires passing a Civil Service examination as part of the selection process. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will receive further instructions on how to complete the exam.

Working and Physical Conditions

Environmental Conditions

Indoor and outdoor environments; exposure to office computers screens; exposure to extremes in weather conditions; work around moving vehicles; operate heavy equipment tools and machinery; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; exposure to pesticides, automobile exhaust, and noise; exposure to poison ivy; work at high elevations regularly.

Physical Conditions

Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for tree climbing, sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time; moderate and heavy lifting and carrying; must be able to do general heavy manual labor; must be able to distinguish colors and make visual assessments; must be able to operate assigned vehicle and equipment.

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.

The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include:

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King Day

President's Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

Day after Thanksgiving

Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible Dependents Include

Legal Spouse or Equal Partner

Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")

Step-child

Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

Flexible Benefits Plans

Healthcare Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.

Dependent Care Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.

01

By completing this supplemental evaluation you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the Human Resources staff and hiring department(s). Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. The Human Resources staff will verify that you meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the job posting, based on the information provided in your application and in these answers. Please indicate you have read and agree with this information.

Yes, I understand and agree.

02

How many years of experience do you have in landscaping, horticulture, or tree care?

No Experience
Less than 1 year
2 years to less than 3 years
3 years to less than 4 years
4 years to less than 5 years
5 years or more

03

Do you understand you must successfully pass the exam to receive an Arborist (ISA) Certification and the Ohio State Pesticide License, Categories 6A and 4A, within the probationary period? Failure to obtain a pesticide license in the probationary period will result in termination of employment. (The Cincinnati Park Board provides training and resources to support employees in obtaining these required certifications.)

Yes, I understand and agree.

04

Please describe your work experience in detail.

05

Are you willing to work irregular hours?

06

Describe your experience (including number of years) in horticulture, tree care, forestry, or another related field.

07

Describe your experience and comfort using and maintaining power and non-powered tools, including chainsaws, brush cutters, and herbicides.

08

Do you have an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification? If not, are you able to attain it within the one-year probationary period?

09

Do you have an Ohio State Commercial Pesticide Applicator License? If not, are you able to attain it within the one-year probationary period?

10

Do you understand that passing a Civil Service examination is required as part of the selection process for this position? Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will receive instructions on how to complete the exam.

Yes, I understand and agree.
Required Question

University of Cincinnati

New Jobs

ARBORIST I (OPEN)