Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice

County•Milwaukee, WI

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Urban Forestry Arborist Apprenticeship is a three-and-a-half-year program that includes 5,400 hours of on-the-job learning and 440 hours of paid instruction encompassing all aspects of tree care, from planting and pruning to managing diseases and insects. This comprehensive program prepares Arborist Apprentices for promotion to Urban Forestry Specialist (Journey Worker Arborists). More information about the Arborist Apprentice opportunity, selection process, and upcoming information sessions can be found at the following link: milwaukee.gov/ufaa. The City of Milwaukee’s Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice Program is regulated by the State of Wisconsin Workforce Development-Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards. To learn more, visit their website: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/occupations/arborist.htm . Testing dates are scheduled as follows (subject to change): Application Period December 1, 2025—January 23, 2026 Written and Performance Examination: February 2026 Purpose Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices (UFAAs) participate in a prescribed curriculum in which they learn to plant, maintain, and remove trees, landscape, and turf growing on the City of Milwaukee’s boulevards and green spaces, with an emphasis on arborist duties.

Requirements

Valid driver's license at time of application closing; valid Wisconsin driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
Good driving record at the time of application closing and throughout employment.
At least 18 years of age at the time of application close.
Graduation from an accredited high school or one of the following at the time of appointment: A) completion of a Wisconsin General Educational Development (GED) (or GED from another state that meets Wisconsin GED standards), B) High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), or C) completion of a home-based private educational program, provided the applicant can provide copies of the State of Wisconsin Form PI-1206.
Respond to emergency call-outs and report within 60 minutes or fewer at any time during the day or night, any day of the week, for tree damage operations, snow and ice control operations and other emergencies
Possess a Class B or higher Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) without Air Brakes Restriction within six months of appointment and throughout employment.
Obtain the State of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator 3.0 Turf and Landscape Certification within one year of appointment and maintain throughout apprenticeship.
Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices must meet all other prescribed certification and licensing requirements during the apprenticeship.
perform physically demanding work
properly lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance
be trained to use hazardous equipment properly and safely, such as chainsaws and woodchippers
work outdoors in variable weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, and wind)
tolerate conditions such as noise, dirt, and pollen
climb ladders and ropes and work at heights of 60 feet or more
wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and use fall protection gear
work beyond assigned shifts to respond to various emergencies
pass pre-employment drug tests and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment.
sign a release authorizing the City to receive the results of any drug and alcohol tests conducted by previous employers during the past two years if those tests were required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
enter an apprentice contract with the State of Wisconsin and with the sponsoring organization, which is the City of Milwaukee.
The preplacement testing required for this title includes: physical with lift test audio gram vision test DOT drug test

Nice To Haves

Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Permit without Air Brakes Restriction at time of appointment.

Responsibilities

Prune trees by means of safely climbing and using a rope and saddle while working at heights of 60 feet and higher in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Pruning Standards and ANSI Z133 Safety Standards.
Prune shrubs from the ground according to accepted horticultural practices.
Perform tree rigging on the ground and aloft.
Plant, maintain, and remove trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants on City boulevards and green spaces.
Perform plant health care activities, such as treating trees and shrubs to prevent common pests and diseases.
Operate large vehicles, such as aerial lifts and 2½-ton dump trucks.
Operate specialized power equipment and hand equipment on the ground and aloft, such as mowers, skid steers, small tractors with buckets or forks, stumpers, chainsaws, chippers, trenchers, backhoes, pipe pullers, sprayers, tree injection equipment, and other hand and motorized equipment.
Perform field maintenance on some power equipment.
Construct, repair, and maintain concealed irrigation systems.
Adhere to ANSI, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and departmental safety standards at all times.
Participate in the removal of downed trees and limbs and in the abatement of hazardous conditions caused by wind, snow, and ice storms.
Participate in snow and ice control operations, including plowing snow and salting City streets.
Maintain records and daily activity reports.
Attend approved related training, and satisfactorily complete the prescribed course material.