Urban Forestry Specialist

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

October 13, 2026

Compensation Details:

Hiring Range

28.52 - 41.36

This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

BMEA (20+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

Under limited supervision, maintains the health, safety, and aesthetics of public trees in city parks and public street rights-of-way. The primary focus of this position is to safely perform specialized technical urban forestry/arboriculture field operations involving public trees to ensure a safe and healthy urban tree canopy. There is a strong focus on pruning trees of all sizes using rope and saddle techniques and an aerial lift, structure pruning of small trees, and tree removal following industry standards. Collaborates with contractors and internal staff on Forestry operations, programs, and projects. Operates a variety of power tools and specialized equipment in the performance of these duties.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs technical urban forestry and arboricultural field operations involving public trees to ensure a safe and healthy urban tree canopy.  

• Prunes and removes trees of all sizes to industry standards, safely and efficiently, utilizing both rope and saddle techniques and aerial lifts.

• Prunes smaller diameter trees for structure and clearance to industry standards.

• Grinds stumps and performs maintenance tasks such as pesticide applications, tank watering, and mulching.

• Surveys public trees to determine pruning or removal needs based on tree health, structure, and safety.

• Operates and maintains equipment including brush chippers, stump grinders, backhoe, loader, skid-steer, trucks with trailers, tractors, chain saws of various sizes, and aerial lifts.

• Coordinates daily and directly with the public, other city departments, contractors, business owners, and other agencies on project timelines, scope and notification processes.

• Disposes of wood debris properly; distributes logs to firewood lot and chips to city free mulch pile.

• Coordinates traffic control plans and implementation with Public Works and Traffic Control contractors to ensure safe Forestry Operations.

• Trains and assists in coordinating the daily tasks seasonal and temporary staff and volunteers in tree maintenance activities including but not limited to tree planting, pruning, removal, stump grinding, pesticide applications, and tank watering.

• Provides recommendations to the public on matters related to general tree care, maintenance and protection.

• Responds to service requests generated by multiple sources regarding tree maintenance needs.

• Uses asset management and GIS software to collect, update, and maintain information on species type, tree size, health, location and maintenance records for public trees.

• Evaluates equipment from suppliers for efficient purchasing and sourcing, maintains equipment inventory, PPE, and other items.

• Assists with the implementation of Forestry programs.

• Assists with community related special events, educational events, and volunteer events such as Arbor Day Tree Planting.

• Unloads tree deliveries from nursery, care for tree stock in forestry yard.

• Assists with inspections of tree deliveries based on the condition and health of tree stock.

• Plants trees in City parks and Rights of Way to industry standards; trains and coordinates Forestry field staff to plant trees to industry standards.

• Monitors and samples for insect and disease problems in city parks, street rights-of-way and private property.

• Inspect public trees for safety from either a rope and saddle or an aerial lift using the ISA Tree Risk Assessment process.

• Performs and assists with research, monitoring, surveys, and data collection associated with forestry programs.

• Posts for no parking and pesticide notification to ensure compliance with City ordinances.

• Monitors, maintains, and repairs tree grates and guards in commercial areas. 

• Assists with emergency response activities related to tree hazards due to weather events, construction impacts and vehicular accidents.

• Responds to tree related emergencies called in by internal or external customers; climbs trees or utilizes aerial lift truck to remove hangers and eliminate hazards or dispatches contractors as needed.

• Assesses priority, corrective action, appropriate equipment and agencies needed to resolve safety issues quickly.

• Coordinates response with Public Works Maintenance staff, contractors, and adjacent property owners to resolve tree hazards.

• Ensures all city and department safety policies and procedures, are followed to promote a safe work environment. 

• Adheres to ANSI Z133 and A300 standards, and all applicable organizational policies, rules and safety regulations. 

• Follows all applicable Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), state and local regulations during forestry operations to create safe detours and work zones.

• Ensures safe public spaces while completing work tasks and raises safety concerns to appropriate supervisors or contacts. 

• Ensures seasonal staff operate all equipment and vehicles safely.

• Identifies, addresses, or elevates any health and safety risks within the park facilities. 

• Adheres to all label and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) requirements when using chemicals and uses all required personal protective equipment (PPE). 

• Reports all injuries, accidents, and damage to City property promptly. 

• Performs safety and equipment maintenance and inspections, and ensures the appropriate records are maintained.

• Performs related duties as required to meet City needs.

• Maintains flexibility to work additional hours, evenings, weekends or holidays as needed.

• Participates in professional training to stay current with trends and issues in arboriculture and urban forest management, and to maintain required certifications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to identify urban tree species common to the Front Range of Colorado. 

• Ability to perform advanced arboricultural practices and proper urban tree management.

• Ability, skill and knowledge to safely and efficiently prune and remove urban trees using rope and saddle equipment and an aerial lift.

• Ability to operate aerial lift trucks, front end loaders, backhoes, tractors, skid-steer, pickup trucks, trucks with trailers, tree spade, brush chippers, and stump grinders.

• Ability and skill to evaluate, maintain and perform basic repairs of large and small equipment common to the arboriculture industry.

• Ability to train and coordinate daily tasks of seasonal employees and impart knowledge effectively.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Ability to successfully integrate into Forestry field crews as one of the team members and be a dependable team player (can-do, will-do attitude).

• Ability to communicate professionally, tactfully, and effectively to supervisors, coworkers, volunteers and the public.  

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all levels of management, city officials, vendors, other governmental agencies, other employees, and the general public.

• Ability to make decisions pertaining to tree maintenance in the field without direct supervision.

• Ability to communicate technical information to the public effectively and professionally. 

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, professional, effective working relationships with other employees, departments, agencies, and the public.

• Ability to proficiently use the Microsoft Office Suite and an asset management software program.

• Ability to perform record keeping functions, data entry, and data management.

• Ability to work with volunteers, multiple departments, and local agencies.

• Ability and willingness to work irregular hours, weekends, evenings, holidays, or emergencies as required to respond to Forestry maintenance needs, including events or tree related emergencies.

• Knowledge of and adherence to the American National Standard Institute Z133.1-Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations and the A300 Tree, Shrub, and other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practices.

• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to use GIS and asset management software including development of events, work orders and reports.

• Knowledge of the diagnostic process and management of tree insect and disease issues common to the Colorado Front Range.

• Bachelor’s degree in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, Forestry or Natural Resources.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s degree, or equivalent certificate in Urban Forestry, Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources or a closely related field. Four (4) years of related experience may substitute for the education requirement.

• A minimum of three (3) years progressive field experience in arboriculture, or forestry with a focus on tree climbing, rope use, knots, rigging, felling, and tree pruning, chainsaw use and maintenance. 

• Ability to obtain required relevant certifications within 9 months of hire:

  • International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certification or ability to achieve certification within 9 months of hire. 

  • ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification

  • Traffic control technician certification

  • Colorado Pesticide Applicators Certified Operator license with Ornamental Category through state of Colorado

  • CPR, AED and First Aid

• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Forestry Operations Supervisor

Supervision Exercised: None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Physical and Mental Effort: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks outdoors across a variety of weather conditions and subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Ability to lift 50 lbs and at times up to 75 lbs. Requires standing, walking, bending, climbing, lifting, dragging, and pushing on uneven or slippery surfaces. Ability to work in trees utilizing rope and saddle equipment and an aerial lift truck and to utilize all equipment common to the arboricultural industry. Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment; Vision for reading, recording and interpreting information; Ability to communicate with employees, contractors and the public via verbal and written communication. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.

• Work Environment: Time primarily spent in an outdoor, urban environment year-round. Engage in physically demanding tasks outdoors across a variety of weather conditions and subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Potential exposure to dangerous wildlife (e.g., rattlesnakes, stinging insects), toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides), and dangerous weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, lightning). Often working with or near large, loud equipment common to the arboriculture industry (e.g., bucket trucks, grapple trucks, woodchippers, stump grinders, tub grinders, etc). Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard.  Work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed for events or emergency response.

• Machines and Equipment used include: Standard office equipment including personal computers, cell phone, calculators, copy/fax machines, GPS, Forestry equipment common to the arboricultural industry (a variety of long-handle, manual, and power tools and equipment including chainsaws, to utilize all required safety equipment, brush chipper, front end loaders, backhoes, tractors, skid-steer, pickup trucks, trucks with trailers, tree spade, and stump grinders etc.).

As part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.