Senior Arborist Specialist (Equipment Operator, Senior)

City of Colorado Springs • Colorado Springs, CO

11d • Onsite

About The Position

In this position, you will perform technical duties in the field, including all aspects of arboriculture and general forestry to enhance safety and aesthetics of the City's urban forestry program. This role involves leading field crews in all aspects of arboriculture and general forestry, including tree hazard removal, pruning, and emergency response. The ideal candidate will have expertise in operating forestry equipment, supervising teams, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations to enhance the health and aesthetics of the city’s green spaces. We're an accredited pay equity employer! Your starting pay will be within the posted hiring range based on your years of experience and education. This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Five years of full-time tree maintenance experience or related field
• Possess upon hire a Colorado Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges is required for this position
• Possess or willing to obtain a Colorado Class A CDL within (12) months of hire, not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges is required for this position
• Possess Certified Arborist designation from the International Society of Arboriculture upon hire
• TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR CDL (COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE) WITH THE FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

Nice To Haves

• Possess a valid, current Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator certification from the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture
• Possess a valid, current Tree Risk Assessment Qualification from the International Society of Arboriculture

Responsibilities

• Review, assign, lead and participate in tree related hazard removals, tree removals, identify worksite hazards and potential wildlife conflicts
• Utilize aerial lifts, chippers, dump trucks, grapple loader, chainsaws, hand saws, climbing saddles, ropes, and lowering devices in accordance with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and City Forestry rules and regulations
• Drive and operate class B CDL vehicles and use working knowledge of City codes and forestry rules and regulations to perform technical duties in the field; including all aspects of arboriculture and general forestry work to support the City's urban forestry program
• Supervise and oversee a crew of two or more and attend safety and other educational training to maintain International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification
• Respond to and mitigate tree related hazards, emergencies, and storms that may require after-hour call-outs and extensive overtime in extreme and inclement weather and operations during dark hours; this includes remove diseased, hazardous, over mature, declining, and dead trees
• Create, plan, and execute tasks using the Cartegraph program
• Prune trees to promote their health, correct visibility problems (i.e., obstructed traffic signs), and ensure traffic and pedestrian clearance
• Utilize worksite traffic control systems (barricading) in accordance with UTC (Uniform Traffic Control) safety standards to keep the public and employees safe
• Perform stump removal and grinding duties; call 811 for underground locates to ensure a safe dig and complete other miscellaneous duties, including mulching, recycling, and utilizing biomass
• Oversee snow plowing operations as needed, including operating trucks, loaders, or tractors to remove snow and ice from roadways, parking lots, and walkways and applying salt or sand for traction
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED