Arborist II - Climbing Arborist and Field Trainer/Mentor at City of Edmonton

Protecting and maintaining the magnificent canopy of Edmonton's river valley, extensive urban parks, and boulevards is a core mission of the City. With over 4000,000 city owned open space and boulevard trees requiring tree maintenance, it is important that Urban Forestry has a strong team of Arborists to ensure the health and vitality of the Urban Forest. We are looking for an experienced, ISA-Certified Climbing Arborist to join our team as a Field Trainer and Production Arborist to help ensure that our team is trained and competent in arboriculture tasks - ensuring quality, safety and productivity of the team. This role will provide hands-on training and mentorship to ISA Certified Arborists, Developmental Arborists, and labourers. If you are a passionate and skilled Arborist with advanced climbing skills, a passion for mentoring and sharing knowledge, this is your chance to directly cultivate a skilled and competent workforce, ensuring the urban forest remains resilient and safe for all Edmontonians.

This position blends production and climbing work with a formal training and mentorship program. You will be working alongside team members to observe, provide practical, in-field training and coaching on techniques like pruning, structural pruning, ground work, tree removals and rigging. With a focus on safe work practices, promoting continual improvement and maintaining high standards of quality and production, you will formally observe, evaluate, and track the skills and competencies of team members and provide constructive feedback and progress updates with leaders.

What will you do?

• Lead by example as an ambassador for quality of work, production and safety, and be an advocate for continual improvement
• Provide hands-on, practical training and mentorship in all aspects of arboriculture, building confidence and technical skills in the team
• Work closely with Crew Leader to prioritize training and mentoring assignments
• While working with team members contribute to production when possible
• Conduct evaluations and competency testing as needed, ensuring proper record-keeping and sharing tracking and feedback with the Crew Leader
• Provide constructive feedback, both verbally and written, to team members. Demonstrate and train on proper techniques for safe equipment operation, climbing, tool care, and Best Management Practices for arboriculture
• Perform complex tree removals, specialized rigging, pruning, and structural pruning as a climber, on an aerial unit or from the ground, as needed
• Perform storm-related work or hazard mitigation assignments
• Work as a production arborist performing climbing or special assignments like girdling trees, cabling, and bracing, as needed
• Help coordinate challenging sites, including checking for set-up requirements and equipment needs as needed
• Assist with setting up no parking signs, coordinating challenging sites like bike lanes and LRT, and helping to coordinate OSCAMS as needed
• Assist with and provide Orientation to team annually and for new staff as hired
• Review and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Hazard Assessments (HAs) annually and deliver to team as needed
• Assist with coordinating external competency testing and training as directed by the supervisor
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Grade 12 required, Certificates or Diplomas in Arboriculture would be considered an asset
• A minimum of 4 years as an ISA Certified Arborist and deemed competent as a climbing arborist
• ISA Certified Tree Climber will be considered an asset
• Experience with GIS tree inventory or Davey Tree Keeper
• Fall Protection
• Chainsaw Training and competency
• Experience mentoring or training
  
  
  

Certifications:

Note - If missing certifications candidates will be required to get missing certifications within agreed upon timelines

• Tree Risk Assessment Qualifier (TRAQ)
• Chainsaw Train the Trainer
• D permit and Q endorsement
• Aerial Lift Operations competency
• Aerial Excavation competency
• Rigging Fundamentals competency
• Advanced Technical Rigging
  
  
  

Skills required for success:

• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, for mentoring, training, and providing leadership
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Ability to assess and address tree-related issues in real-time, making quick decisions to solve complex challenges in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to evaluate the skill set of team members without bias, develop training strategies for improvement, and decide on necessary training for each individual
• Excellent time management skills to effectively balance the mentorship role with the demands of production tree maintenance
• Working closely with the Crew Leader to communicate where there are gaps with training and competencies and potential performance concerns
• Strong customer skills when interacting with engagement participants and interested and/or affected parties
• Experience with Google Suite, including Google Sheets
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies ( https://bit.ly/4brRrXm )
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation, and inclusion
• Applicants may be tested
  
  
  

Conditions of Employment:

• Candidates are required to hold a valid Alberta Class 3 driver's licence (or provincial equivalent)
• Obtaining and maintaining a City Driver's permit is a requirement of this position
• Successful candidates are able to be fit for a respirator, and compliance with the City of Edmonton's Code of Practice for Respiratory Protective Equipment, including medical monitoring, is a requirement of this position
• Compliance with the City of Edmonton’s safety standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as wearing steel-toe boots, gloves, goggles, sunscreen and coveralls
• Possession of current Standard First Aid, CPR-C and AED certifications
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• Exposure to environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, inclement weather, dust, noise, light variation, vibrations, chemicals, and exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards may occur
• This role requires completion of repetitive and strenuous tasks such as standing, walking, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, using feet/hand controls requiring physical stamina and resilience
• The work is physically demanding, classified as Considerable/Heavy Effort, including lifting up to 50lbs and the need for significant physical strength, agility, and endurance, especially when climbing and pulling body weight up and around the tree
• This position is required to climb trees as needed
• Must be able to work outdoors year-round in all challenging weather conditions, from extreme heat to cold, rain, and snow
• Work is performed at heights, requiring awareness of the potential to fall or be injured and potential to be struck by branches or debris
  
  
  

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected] . Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits .

Up to 2 permanent full-time position

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Salary Range: $36.804 (Hourly); $76,846.750 (Annually)

Recruitment Consultant: PO/VH

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.