Arborist
- Summary
Why This is a Great Opportunity:
In this role you will provide direct stewardship to our lands, enhance public spaces and provide care and maintenance of the trees in our system. This position provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience in arboriculture, to interact with the community while providing education about trees, and to exchange knowledge and information with other arborists.
Why King County Parks?
King County Parks has evolved from 150 acres in 1938 to more than 32,000 acres. Today, our system consists of more than 205 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 250 miles of backcountry trails. Our mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities. We seek to cultivate strong relationships with community partners to enhance park amenities for all King County residents to enjoy today and for generations to come. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/parks.
And check us out on the socials at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.
How to be Successful in the Role:
The successful candidate will support and enhance our growing King County Parks Arborist program. This includes identifying and purchasing needed safety gear and equipment, providing training to staff about trees and arborist work, and helping to build and strengthen our preventative management program by monitoring and labeling watched trees and recording trees in GIS.
We seek: Individuals who are committed to racial, social and economic equity for ALL people in King County. We welcome applications from people who will help us consistently demonstrate the values of equity, respect and partnership.
Duration: This Term-Limited-Temporary (TLT)/ Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position is anticipated to be up to 12 months in duration.- TLT: Open to the public and all King County employees
- SDA: Open to current King County career service or appointed employees who have passed their initial probationary period.
- Job Duties
Core Work Duties:
- Perform care of trees and maintain their appearance by pruning and/or repairing branches, training young trees, and removing damaged limbs.
- Identify, and locate trees that show signs of declining health for reasons like climate change and create preventive maintenance work orders to initiate the ongoing cycle of annual monitoring.
- Assist with tree selection and planting of native and ornamental tree species and with Risk tree removals
- Provide customer service to the public regarding tree concerns on assigned custodial properties.
- Operate, maintain, and inspect vehicles, equipment, and tools associated with tree care.
- Perform inventory and order supplies, materials, and equipment.
- This position works 40 hours per week, typically four 10-hour days, and is eligible for overtime.
- This position requires fieldwork in multiple locations throughout King County.
- Possession of a valid Driver's license at the time of appointment required.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of entomology and plant pathology.
- ISA Certified Arborist Credential or in process of obtaining.
- The ability to perform heavy physical labor with weights up to 75 pounds.
- The ability to work on uneven slopes, surfaces, grades and terrain in inclement weather and other adverse conditions.
- The ability to work at ground level and roof-top heights and all levels in between.
- The ability to use power tools and operate equipment on a continuous basis.
- TRAQ Qualified credential or interest in obtaining.
- Washington State Public Pesticide Operator’s license (when spraying).
- Skilled in identifying safety hazards.
- At least 3 years of full-time arborist or tree work experience.
- Knowledge of Parks maintenance operations and procedures including trail maintenance and construction, landscaping, and grounds keeping and facilities
- Skill in performing minor equipment and/or machinery repairs in the field.
- Skill in leading, directing and training others is highly desirable.
- Skill in utilizing GIS/GPS equipment and software to collect data and create maps.
- Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.
- Action oriented and takes on new opportunities and challenges with a sense of energy and enthusiasm.
- Values differences by recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to a project.
- Optimizes work processes by knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Supplemental Information
Application and Selection Process: The following materials are required for full candidate consideration in the application process:
1. King County application
2. Cover letter detailing your background and what skills and attributes you bring to the role.
3. Resume
4. Response to supplemental questions
Applications that do not contain the above required materials will be considered incomplete and may not be considered for this position.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 925.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Patty Jurgens at patty.jurgens@kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-4572
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff03Do you possess an ISA Certified Arborist Credential- Yes
- No
04Do you possess a TRAQ Qualified credential?05How many years of full-time arborist work experience do you have?- 0 - 1 year
- 1 - 2 years
- 2 - 3 years
- more than 3 years
06Please describe your Arborist work experience, including names of employer, dates of employment, and job title. If you do not have this experience, please indicate NA.Required Question