URBAN FORESTRY CREW LEADER

** THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CURRENT CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION-FORESTRY SERVICES EMPLOYEES ONLY. This selection process will yield a civil service promotional eligible list. **

The Urban Forestry Crew Leader (UFCL) leads urban forestry staff engaged in the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, landscape plants, and turf growing on City of Milwaukee green spaces.

The UFCL participates in snow and ice control operations and the emergency response for trees damaged by weather events, vehicle accidents, or other causes on a scheduled rotation or as-needed basis.

UFCL Responsibilities and Field Work

• Plan, coordinate, supervise, train, and inspect the field activities of a team of urban forestry specialists and apprentices, regular and seasonal laborers, workforce development participants, and municipal equipment operators.
• Coordinate and perform ongoing training for Forestry Division employees at work sites to ensure safe, knowledgeable, and efficient job performance. 
• Perform or assist in the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf on City of Milwaukee green spaces.
• Enforce the Department of Public Works (DPW)-Operations Division-Forestry Services’ work rules and safe work rules and procedures.
• Operate and drive large vehicles such as dump trucks, hi-lifts, skid-loaders, log loaders, crane-assisted grapple saws, and trailers.
• Operate specialized power and hand equipment, including mowers, stump grinders, chain saws, chippers, trencher/backhoes, leaf blowers, string trimmers, pipe pullers, various sprayers, and other industry-specific manually-operated and motorized equipment.
• Construct, repair, and maintain concealed irrigation systems.

Administrative Functions

• Plan, monitor, and assist in performing surveys and placing notices pertaining to service requests and code enforcement on private property.
• Conduct periodic surveys designed to assess pest control, planting, removal, and maintenance needs.
• Record work progress and updates the City’s street tree inventory using field computers.
• Compile accurate training records for Urban Forestry Specialists, Registered Arborist Apprentices and Urban Forestry Workers.
• Update and maintain street tree and other computerized resource field inventory records.
• Resolve resident and aldermanic requests and complaints.
• Perform code enforcement activities, and schedule, coordinate and record work activities completed.

Emergency Response Duties

• Perform duties to respond to emergencies such as wind, snow, and ice storms, irrigation leaks, and damage to trees sustained during construction.
• Participate in general snow and ice control (GIC) operations, by manually and mechanically plowing and salting snow on streets, sidewalks, and intersections, monitoring GIC route progress, and providing GIC yard support.

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 UFCL is subject to emergency call-out 365/24/7 and must respond to emergency call-outs and report within 60 minutes or fewer at any time during the day or night, any day of the week, for snow and ice control operations and other emergencies.
• Must work during adverse weather and environmental conditions and for extended periods, including weekends and holidays during Snow and Ice Control Operations and/or other emergency operations.
• The UFCL must be able to withstand a wide range of weather conditions and be physically able to perform moderate to heavy labor, including lifting and moving equipment and materials weighing up to 50 lbs. unassisted and 100 lbs. with assistance.
• Perform physical activities in the work environment for extended periods of time that require walking long distances, climbing in and out of equipment, reaching, pushing, and pulling.

The Preplacement testing required for this position includes: 

• Physical/ lift test 
• Audiogram 
• Vision 
• non- DOT drug test 

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. One year of experience as an Urban Forestry Specialist.
3. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) Pesticide Applicator Certification Commercial Category 3.0-Turf & Landscape certification within six months of employment.
4. Valid Wisconsin commercial driver’s license (CDL) (Class B) at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
5. A good driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment.

• Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, biology, environmental science, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP).

Technical

• Knowledge of arboriculture, landscape management, tree anatomy and physiology, tree and plant identification, insect and disease identification, and pesticides.
• Knowledge of governmental regulations and industry standards for arboricultural and landscape work.
• Knowledge of safety principles and practices and ability to ensure that safety regulations are followed.
• Knowledge of the equipment, tools, and methods used in arboriculture, including tree climbing and rigging systems, tree planting, pruning, structural support systems, and tree and stump removal.
• Knowledge of the equipment, tools, and methods used in horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and irrigation systems.
• Ability to operate vehicles and equipment (dump trucks, hi-lifts, skid-loaders, chippers, stump grinders, commercial mowers, trailers, chain saws, leaf blowers, string trimmers) used to maintain an urban forest.
• Knowledge of mathematics and ability to perform accurate calculations.
• Ability to use field computers equipped with street tree inventory and management software.

Interpersonal and Communication

• Verbal communication skills to communicate clearly with staff and residents.
• Written communication skills to write error free communications and conduct code enforcement activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, elected officials, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and fairly with coworkers and residents whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Customer service skills; ability to respond appropriately to requests and inquiries.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to handles stress, especially during emergency operations.
• Ability to safeguard City equipment.

Leadership

• Ability to effectively coordinate and train field crews performing urban forestry activities.
• Ability to set clear expectations and ensure projects meet expectations and deadlines.
• Ability to build strong, effective teams.
• Ability to foster an environment of diversity and inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

The current salary range (Pay Range 7FN) is $66,323 -$80,624 annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $68,312 -$83,043 annually. Appointment will be made in accordance with the Salary Ordinance.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. 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 selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. 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.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• 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.

EEO 701

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