URBAN FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

** THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CURRENT CITY OF MILWAUKEE DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION-FORESTRY SERVICES EMPLOYEES ONLY **

• Monitor and participate in the administration and enforcement of various City ordinances related to hazard trees, sidewalk snow and ice, tall weeds and grass, vegetation encroachments into rights of way, and other Environmental Services ordinances.
• Assess public and private hazardous tree conditions and administer contracts and handle billing for removal and pruning of hazard trees.
• Monitor and participate in pest management operations threatening City-owned trees and landscaping.
• Monitor and participate in the administration of City-owned property maintenance and other service contracts.
• Monitor and inspect paving, sidewalk, sewer, and water utility replacement contracts; review each replacement proposal for forestry provisions; and communicate and collaborate with project engineers to implement such provisions.
• Provide direct supervision for contract employees, forestry inspectors, and other forestry personnel.
• Maintain current file of contractor activities.
• Conduct inspection of contract work for verification and approval.
• Monitor utility work and private construction in or near rights of way.
• Review and coordinate DPW right of way permits.
• Assist in collecting and maintaining street tree and boulevard irrigation and plant inventories.
• Establish tree valuations and loss, following standard industry protocols.
• Prepare pre-construction pruning and post-construction planting list.
• Represent the Forestry Unit at Department of Transportation design engineering and construction meetings.
• Assist forestry managers with service requests and other forestry operations.
• Maintain technical records, reports, and other information, including the tree appraisal report for impacted trees.
• Participate in the development and delivery of safety and technical training in forestry districts.
• Participate in snow and ice control operations.
• Operate City-owned vehicles for the purpose of conducting various site inspections, investigating aldermanic and citizen service requests, performing snow and ice control route monitoring, and assisting with technical training.

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Urban Forestry Technicians must be willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wind, rain, and snow); tolerate conditions such as noise, dirt, and pollen; and work beyond assigned shifts such as evenings, holidays, and occasional weekends.
• Must have ability and strength to properly lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must have physical ability to climb steps and ladders and negotiate uneven terrain at work sites.

1. Regular status as a City of Milwaukee DPW-Operations Division-Forestry Services employee, having successfully completed a probationary period for a civil service position.
2. Four years of experience in arboriculture, horticulture, or general landscaping.
3. State of Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in Turf and Landscape (Category 3.0) within six months of appointment and throughout employment.
4. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist® certification within six months of appointment and throughout employment.
5. Valid driver's license at time of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

• Two- or four-year degree in arboriculture, horticulture, or related field from an accredited college or university.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college, transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. College transcripts should be attached to your online application.

• Knowledge of basic plant science, horticulture, and arboriculture.
• Knowledge of and ability to accurately identify trees, turf, weeds, and ornamental plants common to Southeastern Wisconsin.
• Knowledge of signs of tree and plant insects and diseases and the ability to assess trees for hazardous conditions.
• Knowledge of how construction impacts trees and best practices for protecting the urban forest during development and construction projects.
• Knowledge of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, safety policies, and safety compliance.
• Knowledge of practical mathematics and the ability to perform accurate calculations.
• Ability to safely apply pesticides to trees, turf, and landscape plants.
• Ability to read construction drawings.
• Ability to read and interpret work-related documents.
• Oral communication and training skills.
• Written communication skills.
• Ability to draft and enforce special provisions to protect trees and landscaping.
• Ability to capably use computer applications and field technology.
• Ability to collect information and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to the public.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, and public officials.
• Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and fairly with coworkers and citizens whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to provide direction to contract employees and subordinates.
• Ability to remain calm during emergency situations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and accomplish work with limited supervision.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks accurately.
• Ability to assist with general snow and ice control operations, including coordinating routes, monitoring and updating plowing/salting progress reports, performing quality control and plow chasing tasks, and executing other related support or supervisory assignments.

The current salary range (PG 7LN) for City of Milwaukee residents is $52,750-$60,663 annually, and the non-resident salary range is $51,455-$59,175. Appointment will be made in accordance with the provisions of the salary ordinance. This is a Career Ladder Position: Employees in the Forestry Section will advance through the pay range in accordance with the City of Milwaukee Salary Ordinance upon certification by the Commissioner of Public Works of having attained the required job performance and demonstrated competencies.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of related education, experience and accomplishments, written tests, interview, or other assessment methods. DPW-Operations Division-Forestry Services reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral exams, performance tests, or personal interviews. Information from the selection process will be used to make a hiring decision. Selected candidates will be transferred and/or promoted to the position.

INITIAL FILING DATE – The selection process will be held as soon as practical after Thursday, August 30, 2018. 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. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the Department of Employee Relations and/or the hiring authority.

Note: Transfer/Promotional Opportunities and Promotional Examinations are not open to Milwaukee Public Schools employees or to the public. Only current City of Milwaukee DPW-Operations Division-Forestry Services employees hired through a City Service Commission process who have successfully passed a probationary period for a Civil Service position will be considered. Individuals with exempt, provisional, temporary, or emergency appointments are not eligible for transfer.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting, http://city.milwaukee.gov/jobs.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at 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.