Job Details

This ad is expired.

City of Portland - Arborist

Position Number: 6439588
Location: Portland, ME
Position Type: Agriculture - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture

City of Portland - Arborist

Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department

(1) Full-time Position – 40 hours/week (days 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.).

About the City of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department:

The mission of Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department is to enhance the quality of life through people, parks, and programming while creating lasting memories for the people of Portland and its visitors.

The Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department is made up of a team of 160 full-time staff, and 250+ seasonal and on-call staff who work together to improve the quality of life in Portland, Maine.

Our staff creates opportunities for social connection and community development by operating and programming our City cultural venues such as Merrill Auditorium and Portland Expo, and running community programs such as our popular Before and After School programs, Swim Lessons, Basketball Leagues, Therapeutic Recreation, and Senior Adult programs. By maintaining our City public buildings, waterfront infrastructure, piers, and our network of 70 parks, 40+ miles of trails, 13 Cemeteries, and 30 playgrounds, we provide places where people can come to connect, exercise, recreate, and create community. Our staff operates community centers, pools, Portland Skatepark, Riverside Golf Course, Troubh Ice Arena, and 2 municipal stadiums where we host youth and adult sports, 3 minor league sports teams, and community events.

Our team of staff is comprised of Park Maintainers and Lifeguards, Event Managers and Child Care Workers, Horticulturalists and Arborists, Food Service Workers and Ice Arena Operators, Park Rangers and Project Managers, Golf Pros and Custodians, Referees and Electricians, Coaches and Trades Workers, Playground Technicians and Plow Operators, Cemetery Maintainers and Theater Techs, along with support staff in Human Resources, Finance, and Admin. Even though the job titles and tasks of our individual staff members vary widely, we all work side by side, day in and day out, to make Portland a better place to live and visit.

Job Summary:

The Forestry Division is seeking a qualified candidate to fill one Arborist vacancy. This position performs skilled arboricultural work maintaining Portland's community forest including: tree pruning, tree & stump removal, along with related care and maintenance of trees including experience in controlling invasive tree pests; tree planting, works aerially in trees by climbing with various tree climbing systems and aerial lift, may supervise the work of crews engaged in various types of tree work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Ability to care for Portland's trees in a wide range of weather conditions, proficient use / experience in the maintenance of the various types of Forestry equipment, ranging from chainsaws, brush chipper, aerial lift, log truck, stump grinder, tractors, loaders and chip trucks.
Possess the skill and ability to climb trees using updated climbing systems, knowledge of safety requirements including pre-work tree assessment and job briefing, PPE requirements, ANSI Z133 and A300 procedures, plants, waters and fertilizes trees and cares for public landscapes.
May supervise a small crew of workers assisting in caring for trees.
Participates in Winter ops - snow plowing & snow removal.
Performs related work as required.

Requirements of Work:

Previous work experience, education & training in arboriculture.
The ability to climb trees.
Able to maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, officials, co-workers and the general public.
Skilled in the proper use of tree climbing systems, PPE, lowering devices, use of ropes, lowering lines and related arboricultural tools (including hand saws, pole pruners, chain saws).
Thorough knowledge of various knots used in climbing and lowering, the sharpening and care of power saws and related safety equipment.
Possess the physical strength and agility necessary to perform the essential functions of the work under exposure to varied weather conditions.
Knowledge of tree identification, growth habits along with ANSI A300 and Z133 OSHA requirements for Arboriculture and electrical safety.
Thorough knowledge of tree and shrub identification, tree physiology, tree disease and insect identification.

Necessary Requirements:

Must possess Maine Arborist License or ISA Certification. Possess a Maine Pesticide Applicator license (Ornamental category).
Successful completion of departmental certifications in the safe operation of forestry equipment and demonstration of arboricultural skills required of an Arborist II.

Special Requirements:

Must possess and maintain a Class B Driver's License in good standing or obtain during first 6 months of employment.
CPR / First Aid training and have a good driving record; must undergo pre-employment fitness assessment and federally mandated drug and alcohol test.

Along with this exciting work opportunity, the City of Portland provides a comprehensive benefits package and career advancement opportunities that are available when employees satisfy the requirements of each level of the Labor and Trades Bargaining Agreement Arborist Career Ladder. If joining the City's Forestry team as they maintain our numerous trees sounds like an opportunity for you, or you are interested in learning more about a position as an Arborist with the City of Portland please apply today! Please call the Parks, Recreation & Facilities HR representative, Desiree Kelly, at 207-808-5423 to learn more about the Arborist Career Ladder, if you do not satisfy all the requirements of the Arborist II position.

Applications accepted until August 15, 2025.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Expected Hours/Schedule:

Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Salary & Benefits:

Labor & Trades – Grade 56 - $1,108.80 - $1,265.60 per week, based on experience and certifications.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.
City benefits include:

Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
Thirteen paid holidays
Sick, vacation, and personal leave
Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
Use of City recreation facilities
Fitness Reimbursement
Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=281&sreq=4&form=1000&desc=ARBORIST