TEMPORARY LANDSCAPE LABORER

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed to be in Milwaukee in 2012 it is an invasive wood boring beetle that can kill ash trees within 2-4 years.

The City of Milwaukee Forestry Division is fighting this deadly pest with regular inoculations of City trees as part of its environmentally sound urban forestry management plan. “Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Specialist (Temporary Landscape Laborer)” is a non-civil service, temporary position for the summer season of 2021.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Under the direction of an Urban Forestry Manager, the Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Specialist (Temporary Landscape Laborer) primarily performs chemical treatment of ash trees at risk to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

• Work on a small crew performing chemical treatment of ash street trees and distributing information to the public.
• Perform horticultural tasks related to the propagation, installation, maintenance, harvesting, and removal of trees, shrubs, flowers, ornamental grasses, and turf on City greenspaces and in the City of Milwaukee nursery.
• Operate and drive specialized outdoor power equipment and power tools to perform tasks, including pickup trucks, tractors, chippers, chainsaws, riding and push mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers.
• Utilize various hand tools to carry out tasks, including shovels, hand pruners, hand tampers, hand saws, and wire cutters.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Specialist must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work outdoors and withstand prolonged exposure to variable weather conditions.
• Perform moderate to heavy physical labor, exerting up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally and transferring objects weighing 50 lbs. frequently.
• Walk distances, climb stairs, and ascend ladders to heights of 10 feet or higher.
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed.

1. Must be at least 18 years old by Friday, March 5, 2021.
2. State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification (Category 3.0-Turf and Landscape) at time of appointment and throughout employment. IMPORTANT NOTE: To read an overview of this certification, visit the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP): https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Licenses_Permits/CommercialApplicator.aspx. Next, click on the link entitled “UW-Extension Pesticide Applicator Training schedules and materials” to learn how to take steps to obtain this required certification. The UW-Extension offers training materials for self-study: registration includes either a printed manual ($47), an interactive PDF electronic version of the manual ($35), or for some categories, an online course that also comes with a PDF manual ($50). There is also a Zoom-Based Training/Review option available for $10 for anyone who has purchased the training.
3. Valid State of Wisconsin Individual Commercial Pesticide Applicator License within 14 days of employment and throughout employment. NOTE: Governmental employees must file an application, but are exempt from the license fee. DPW-Forestry will assist candidates hired with the licensing process.
4. Valid Driver’s License at time of appointment and throughout employment. Must have a good driving record.

• Ability to learn plant biology basics, including how to assess and identify a variety of tree and plant species and common insect pests and diseases.
• Ability to learn to identify and distinguish ash trees from other common street trees in Milwaukee.
• Knowledge of safety principles and the ability to consistently follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations, rules, and work practices and procedures applicable to the landscape and arboricultural industry.
• Ability to make basic calculations, for example, to determine proper amounts of chemicals and fertilizers to use.
• Ability to read and understand information presented in writing, such as instructions, policies and procedures, product labels, manuals, and self-study materials to prepare for job-related certification.
• Ability to understand and carry out verbal directions.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with other employees in a crew environment.
• Ability to be courteous and pleasant when interacting with the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with others whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to learn to safely inject pesticides in City trees.
• Ability to learn to propagate, plant, maintain, and remove small trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf.
• Ability to learn to safely operate vehicles and outdoor equipment such as riding and push mowers, pickup trucks, small tractors, chippers, and ATVs.
• Ability to learn to properly operate power equipment including chainsaws, leaf blowers, and brush trimmers.
• Ability to correctly use tools such as shovels, hand pruners, hand tampers, hand saws, and wire cutters.
• Ability to complete treatment records and daily activity reports accurately.

The current pay rate (PR9LN) is $15.10 per hour, and the resident incentive pay rate for City of Milwaukee residents is $15.55 per hour.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and may consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of related education, experience, and accomplishments; interviews; or other assessment methods. The Department of Public Works reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to an interview. Information from the selection process will be used to make a hiring decision.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after Friday, March 5, 2021 EXTENDED THROUGH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 - FINAL DEADLINE! Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Applications can be accessed by visiting www.jobaps.com/MIL.
• To contact the Department of Employee Relations, call 414.286.3751 or send a message to staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.