Job Detail

Assistant Arborist

Location: Chaska, MN
Salary: $32.33/hour

External Applicants: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/362262

Internal UMN Applicants: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/int/362262

TITLE: Assistant Arborist
SUPERVISOR: Supervisor of Horticulture
CLASSIFICATION: 6077 
WAGE: $32.22

OVERVIEW: 
The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in partnership with the Department of Horticultural Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, is one of the nation’s premiere university-based public gardens. The Arboretum’s extensive landscapes across its 1,200 acres, includes 49 display and specialty gardens, 44 plant collections representing 6,100 taxa of plants including the nationally accredited pine and ornamental grass collections, and native and restored woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands. The Arboretum is home to the Department of Horticultural Sciences’ thriving research programs in fruit and woody landscape plant breeding, responsible for over 150 plant introductions since 1908 including the Honeycrisp Apple and the ‘Lights’ series of azaleas.

As a member of the Arboretum’s Horticulture and Collections Department, the Assistant Arborist assists with implementation of all aspects of the Arboretum’s arboriculture program. The Assistant Arborist works alongside and at the direction and oversight of the Arboretum’s Arborist rotating through plant collections to evaluate plant health and assess and execute the required care measures including the unique pruning needs of each specimen. The Assistant Arborist position executes tree maintenance involving extensive climbing and aerial lift operation, tree removals, hazard tree assessments and implementation of corrective measures, IPM practices,  and other tasks as needed as part of the full horticultural operation. The Assistant Arborist may direct the work of others assisting with arboricultural tasks as assigned, ensuring proper personnel and work site training and safety. The successful candidate is expected to engage fully in the professional activities of the Arboretum and work collaboratively with colleagues on efforts across the institution.  

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Tree Pruning, Maintenance, and Removal (70%) 
Work with other arborists to prune trees across the Arboretum’s diverse collections using the highest standards for structural and maintenance pruning with a focus on overall plant health; inspect trees for other maintenance needs and report and assist with corrective measures.   
Climb with rope and saddle, operate aerial lift, deploy necessary rigging, and coordinate with ground support operations to ensure a safe work site in alignment with industry standards for best practices.
Maintain, repair, and operate specialized arboriculture equipment including but not limited to hand-tools, ground and climbing chainsaws, aerial lift, brush chipper, and winches. 
Perform small and large-scale tree removals
Assist with regular inspection of paths, roads, and other high visitation areas for tree care needs.
Oversee others involved in arboriculture tasks including staff, interns, and volunteers ensuring proper training and safety. 
Respond to severe weather events, inspecting landscapes for tree damage and overseeing clean-up operations. 

Planting and Plant Health Care (20%)
Assist with various plant health care assessments and treatments, including but not limited to, root system investigations, decay assessments, retrenchment pruning, and other tree preservation measures. 
Perform proper planting and other tree establishment tasks.
Assist with tasks as part of integrated pest management program, including pest and disease monitoring, treatment implementation (application of pesticides including trunk injections), and all required record keeping.
Assist with installation, inspection, and maintenance of cabling, bracing, and lightning protection systems.

Additional Operational and Institutional Support (10%)
Assist with tasks across the full horticulture operations including watering, weeding, mulching, shrub pruning, work in natural areas, and other duties as assigned.
Assist curatorial staff and researchers with plant condition assessments, collection of propagation material, recording keeping, research support, and other related evaluations.
Assist with full scope of snow removal operations including shoveling and various equipment operations.  
Perform assigned duties as an essential staff during weather related and other emergencies situations impacting the Arboretum’s normal operations
Assist with education and outreach activities, special events and other institutional programs. 
Other related job duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s Degree in arboriculture, horticulture, or related field. 
- A minimum of three years of experience in the field of arboriculture, including one (1) year experience as a climbing arborist including rope and saddle techniques and aerial lift operation; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least five years.
- Must have and maintain a valid MN driver’s license.
- Within one year of employment, must possess and maintain Arborist Certification by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and a Minnesota Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator’s license.
- Must be able to perform manual labor, including daily tree climbing, frequent lifting/carrying/transporting loads up to 80 lbs.
- Specialized training in the use of equipment used in the arboriculture field, such as but not limited to, ropes, saddles, lifts, chainsaws, brush chippers, and associated personal protective equipment (PPE’s).
- Required to work in all weather conditions in all seasons and may require evening and weekend work as need 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Two(2) years’ experience as professional climbing arborist
- Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field.
- Ability to learn operation of equipment related to grounds management functions, including front-end loaders, tractors, and pickup truck mounted snow plows, leaf blowers, riding and push mowers, string trimmers, salt/sand spreaders, snow blowers, and dump trucks.
- Knowledge of temperate tree and shrub identification
- Familiarity and ability to learn and apply to technical and safety standards of the American -National Standards Institute (A.N.S.I) for Arboricultural Operations including A.N.S.I. A300 pruning standards and A.N.S.I. Z133 safety standards in order to ensure safe work practices.
- May be required to obtain and maintain Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and other related licenses and/or certifications.

About the Department

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a community outreach unit of the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences. The Arboretum is located west of Minneapolis/St Paul and its 1,200 acres traverse the municipalities of Chaska, Chanhassen and Victoria. As a member of the American Public Garden Association and an accredited museum through the American Alliance of Museums, the Arboretum is a tremendous public asset. Visitors engage with gardens, collections, natural areas, a farm, research demonstrations, youth and adult education, events and exhibits. For more information please visit us at: https://arb.umn.edu/.

 

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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