Technician II - Arborist

Description

Department: Parks

Reports to: Superintendent - Parks

Hourly Wage Rate: $26.74-$32.76

Benefit Summary

FLSA Status: Full-Time Non-Exempt

Position closes: Midnight, August 16, 2026

Please Note: Verification of minimum qualification(s) and, if applicable, starting salary/wage is based on information provided in the official application. Resume content will not be used for these purposes. Please ensure your application is complete and accurate.

The City of Cañon City does not provide visa sponsorships. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.)

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Parks Superintendent, implements the City’s Forestry Services Program which includes the health, safety, and aesthetics of public trees within the city. Under minimal supervision, perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks related to care and maintenance of trees, including the operation and maintenance of various specialized equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are central to the job or are the reason the position exists, and the employee must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. This list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Follows industry standard best safety practices.
• Perform technical urban forestry functions for tree care operations.
• Perform tree risk assessments and inventory updates, staff safety trainings and establishment of safe work zones.
• Develop work plans with guidance from the Parks Superintendent.
• Prune, remove, and maintain City-owned trees and other vegetation.
• Respond to tree maintenance needs, citizen concerns and storm damage situations.
• Plant, water, and mulch trees.
• Perform tree maintenance operations in compliance with industry standards and specifications.
• Coordinate and implement tree pruning rotation and removal programs.
• Determine pruning needs on an individual basis classifies type of pruning work to be performed.
• Respond to issues related to sick, damaged, or hazardous trees.
• Identify tree species and inspect for health and safety including tree risk assessments (formally known as tree safety inspections).
• Operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools.
• Operate and maintain aerial lift, grappler, stump grinder, chipper, loader, dump truck and skid steer.
• Maintain GIS tree inventory program.
• Oversee and direct the work of field crews.
• Respond to public service requests when assigned.
• Compile required reports regarding daily operations, tree risk assessment, and contract work as needed.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of forestry goals and objectives; implement approved policies and procedures.
• Assist other divisions and department staff with forestry problems and situations as well as provide training to forestry staff and other departments.
• Provide excellent customer service to external and internal customers including but not limited to effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow up as needed.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities*:

The following duties, although not essential to the position, are important components to the smooth and efficient operation of the Division, Department, and City.

• Assist Parks and Cemetery staff as needed.
• Assist with educational programs such as Arbor Day.
• Assist in preparing and administering bid specifications for contracted tree services.
• Assist in coordinating Tree Contractor Licensing program and administers field tests for contractors.
• May be required to address City Council when required.
• Provide information to the public, relative to tree care and arboricultural practices.
• Attend training, seminars, and meetings as required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The essential and non-essential duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The below list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all knowledge, skills and abilities that are required.

• Knowledge of tree biology, Colorado tree and shrub identification.
• Knowledge of tree care best practices.
• Ability to identify common insects and tree diseases of the front range.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of tree establishment and structural pruning.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of job site safety and maintaining a safe workspace using industry standard methods.
• Knowledge of industry standard practices and safety standards are required.
• Knowledge of safe operation of industry specific equipment; chippers, chainsaws, stump grinder, aerial lift, etc. is required.
• Ability to properly maintain, prepare and operate all tools and equipment including chainsaws, chippers, aerial lifts, and more.
• Knowledge of modern arboricultural principles, standards, and best management practices.
• Knowledge of the use of Asset Management system to inventory trees.
• Ability to read, listen and follow directions/instructions from supervisory staff.
• Ability to provide outstanding customer service and get along with coworkers, patrons, and supervisors and interact with employees and vendors in a professional manner.
• Advanced general knowledge of tree industry preferred.
• Ability to identify tree species and determine health and safety.
• Familiarity with operation of aerial lift, grappler, stump grinder, chipper, loader, dump truck and skid steer.
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools.
• Skilled in proper pruning techniques, safe tree removal, a variety of climbing techniques and procedures, chainsaw safety, and general best management practices within the arboriculture industry.
• Knowledge of tree climbing skills with rope and saddle and essential PPE.
• Skilled in Aerial Rescue Training.
• Ability to operate aerial equipment and tools at heights up to seventy-five feet.
• Knowledge of tree biology, Colorado tree and shrub identification.
• Ability to identify common insects and tree diseases of the front range.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely with crew members, city staff and the public.
• Ability to competently operate aerial lift, grappler, stump grinder, chipper, loader, dump truck and skid steer.
• Ability to work at heights up to 75 feet.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification(s):

Experience

• A minimum of 36 months of progressive experience working in the tree pruning and tree removal service industry including rigging and roping down procedures.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent

Licenses/Certifications

• Must have a valid Colorado Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within sixty (60) days of hire, with a driving record acceptable to the City of Cañon City.
• Ability to obtain a Colorado Class “B” Driver’s License, with airbrake endorsement, within six (6) months of hire. Requirements: Colorado CDL General Information
• Ability to obtain an ISA Certified Arborist credential within one year of employment.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted.

Preferred Qualification(s):

Experience

• A minimum of 48 months of progressive experience working in the tree pruning and tree removal service industry, including rigging and roping down procedures in a municipal environment.

Education

• Associates degree Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Horticulture, or other related fields
• Completion of a Forestry Certificate from an accredited college or university.

Licenses/Certification(s):

• Valid Colorado Class “B” CDL with air brake endorsement.
• Chainsaw Certification.
• Colorado Certified Pesticide Applicators License.
• Possession of an ISA Certified Arborist credential.

Physical Activities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee will travel within the City of Cañon City and Fremont County

• Performs work outside most of the time, under varying and extreme weather conditions.
• Ability to work in environmental conditions, which may include excessive noise, dust, pollen, gases, oils solvents and chemicals including a variety of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
• Physical demands of job require some lifting; pulling; carrying and pushing of objects –approximately 75 pounds.

Additional Information

• This position will typically work Monday – Friday but will flex to working weekends and evenings based on seasonal, organizational or event needs.
• This position will be required to attend occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events after normal work hours.
• Travel within the City of Cañon City and Fremont County will be required.
• Frequent extension of workday to meet deadlines and emergency situations.

Additional Notification:

This position may be subject to a pre-employment drug test prior to hire, or reasonable suspicion testing after hire. The City of Cañon City, as a recipient of federal grant funds, maintains a strict drug-free workplace policy. The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs while on company property or performing job duties is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Although Marijuana and its derivatives, in some cases, are considered legal in the state of Colorado, they are still considered a Schedule I controlled substance under the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act (FDFWA), which makes there use, possession, or distribution illegal by City of Cañon City employees.

FLSA Status: [ ] Exempt—Salaried [ X ] Non-Exempt—Hourly

Classified as: [ X ] Essential [ ] Non-Essential

CDL Licensed Position: [ X ] Yes [ ] No

Safety Sensitive Position: [ X ] Yes [ ] No

Date of Original: 12/10/2019; prepared by IRM

Date Revised: 07/08/2026, RTB & MDB