URBAN FORESTRY ARBORIST APPRENTICE

If you think you would enjoy performing physical work outdoors, learning about proper tree care, working in a supportive team environment, and serving the public, this may be the opportunity for you!

The City of Milwaukee’s Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice Program consists of 6,440 hours (approximately 3.5 years) and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job learning and 440 hours of paid related instruction encompassing all aspects of tree care, from planting and pruning to managing diseases and insects. This comprehensive program prepares Arborist Apprentices to become Urban Forestry Specialists (Journey Worker Arborists) working for the City of Milwaukee.

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/trades/arborist.htm.

Click on this link for additional information: Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice Fact Sheet

Click on this link to see a PowerPoint presentation describing the selection process: Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice Hiring Process

Under the direction of the Forestry Services Manager, Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices participate in a prescribed curriculum wherein they become highly-skilled urban forestry professionals, learning 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.

Apprentices will be trained to perform the following duties:

Tree, Plant, and Boulevard Maintenance:

• 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, 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.

Additional Essential Functions:

Emergency Response:

• 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.

Recordkeeping and Training Participation:

• Maintain records and daily activity reports.
• Attend approved related training, and satisfactorily complete the prescribed course material.

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.

Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices are considered essential staff during the current public health emergency.

• Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices serve in an emergency capacity, removing broken branches and fallen trees and participating in the City’s snow and ice control operations.
• Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices must be willing and able to do the following:
  • 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 properly and safely use dangerous equipment 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
• By law, persons in these positions are required to pass pre-employment drug tests and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing during the course of employment. Candidates must 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.
• In addition, Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices will be required to enter into an apprentice contract with the State of Wisconsin and with the sponsoring organization (City of Milwaukee).

1. Valid driver's license at time of application and throughout employment. NOTE: Driver’s license number must be listed on application.
2. Good driving record at time of application and throughout employment. NOTE: Driving records will be checked during the selection process and prior to job offer.
3. At least 18 years of age by July 12, 2021.
4. Graduation from an accredited high school or one of the following at 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 State of Wisconsin Form PI-1206.
5. Residency within 15 miles of the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Milwaukee within six months of appointment pursuant to Rule III, Section 4(g) of the Rules of the City Service Commission. A map defining the jurisdictional boundary is located on the Fire and Police Commission website at: http://city.milwaukee.gov/fpc#.WG7LHE0zWpo.
6. Possess a Class B or higher Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) without Air Brakes Restriction within six months of appointment and throughout employment.
7. Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices must meet all the prescribed certification and licensing requirements during the course of the apprenticeship.

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

Ability to learn the following:

• ANSI and OSHA safety regulations applicable to the arboricultural and landscape industry.
• Common tree and landscape plant species.
• Tree biology concepts.
• Tree risk assessments.
• Signs and symptoms of insects and diseases.

Ability to learn how to do the following:

• Climb trees using rope, saddle, and other tree-climbing equipment.
• Assess and perform pruning on young, juvenile, mature, and over-mature trees.
• Perform a climbing aerial rescue.
• Plan and set up tree rigging for topping, felling, and removing urban trees.
• Use a chainsaw safely, and perform field maintenance.
• Correctly tie various tree climbing and rigging knots.
• Plant, maintain, and remove trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants.
• Operate and drive vehicles such as an aerial lift and 2½-ton dump truck.
• Operate job-related power equipment and hand-held equipment.
• Perform field maintenance on some power equipment.
• Construct, repair, and maintain irrigation systems.
• Safely drive and operate snowplows and salt trucks on city streets.
• Accurately complete activity reports.

Demonstrated ability to do the following:

• Read and understand documents such as work rules, policies, and operating manuals.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment with others whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own, including supervisors and coworkers.
• Interact with the public in a courteous and cooperative manner.
• Exercise care and good judgment regarding safety at all times.
• Use City resources in a responsible manner.

The current starting salary (Pay Range 7CN) is $33,401 annually, and the resident incentive starting salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $34,403. Upon successfully passing the six-month probationary period, employees will earn $42,188 ($43,454 resident incentive salary).

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes:

·       Defined Benefit Pension Plan

·       457 Deferred Compensation Plan

·       Health and Dental Insurance

·       Comprehensive Wellness Program

·       Onsite Clinic Services

·       Onsite Employee Assistance Program

·       Long Term Disability Insurance

·       Group Life Insurance

·       Tuition Benefits

·       Paid Vacation

·       11 Paid Holidays

·       Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves

·       Flexible Spending Arrangement

·       Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of written and performance examinations. The performance exam may include the following major components:

• Climbing up a ladder to a height of 35 feet into a tree and climbing 10 or more feet wearing safety equipment.
• Climbing up a rope to a height of 12 feet or more wearing safety equipment.

The Department of Employee Relations and the Department of Public Works-Forestry reserve the right to call only the most qualified candidates to the performance examination. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

Testing dates are scheduled as follows (subject to change):

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after Friday, April 30, 2021. 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 and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobaps.com/MIL.
• 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 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.