Arborist Supervisor

JOB LOCATION

13645 E Ellsworth Ave Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity , Respect, Professionalism , and Customer Service , and we welcome all who share these values to apply.


Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Are you ready to take your career to new heights while helping the City of Aurora maintain its vibrant urban canopy? We are looking for a passionate and skilled Arborist Supervisor to lead our talented crews in keeping our community beautiful and safe. In this role, you'll do more than just manage; you'll be a mentor, a safety champion, and a hands-on leader who isn't afraid to get up in the branches when duty calls. A vital part of your mission will be championing Plant Healthcare (PHC), where you'll use your expertise to diagnose issues and implement proactive treatments that keep our trees thriving. From coordinating emergency storm responses to leading volunteer planting events, your work will leave a lasting green footprint on our city. We value expertise in tree biology and climbing just as much as we value a positive, collaborative attitude. If you have a knack for problem-solving and a love for the great outdoors, you'll find a welcoming home with our dedicated forestry team. Come grow with us and help ensure that Aurora's natural resources thrive for generations to come!

The deadline to submit applications is June 14, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine that we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.


The hiring range for this role is $67,157 - $83,947/year.

Salary to be commensurate with experience.


Position Overview

The Arborist Supervisor oversees daily forestry operations that protect, maintain, and enhance the health of the city's urban forest. The Supervisor will monitor and coordinate the urban forest management and plant health care activities of multiple crews of skilled and semi-skilled tree workers. The supervisor may be engaged in production tree work, evaluating urban forest health conditions, scheduling and coordinating tree maintenance, supervising volunteer planting and pruning events, and coordinating equipment repair activities to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in developing the PHC program and lead its operational implementation in the field.
• Plans, assigns, monitors, and coordinates the work activities of assigned crews.
• Directly assists production crews in trimming and removal operations, traffic control, stump grinding, PHC activities, and tree planting to meet department goals.
• Resolves problems and conflicts arising during the course of the work.
• Reports and investigates accidents, tracks near misses, and implements safety improvements.
• Assists in preparing and recommending equipment specifications.
• Reports on activities, maintains pesticide logs, and ensures CoA compliance with relevant regulations and laws.
• Maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures.
• Coordinates preventative maintenance programs for city trees, shop equipment, and forestry fleet.
• Inspect contractors and in-house staff work for conformance to standards.
• Makes recommendations regarding budgetary matters as well as tracks and monitor's budget[s].
• Schedules, coordinates, tracks training and certifications for FTE's and apprentices.
• Participates in selecting, hiring, training, evaluating, supervising, and disciplining assigned employees.
• Supports, coordinates, and trains volunteers. Supports volunteer events.
• Directs and coordinates snow removal and storm response operations with other departments.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• At least 4 years' progressively responsible experience in mature tree plant health care or tree nurseries.
• 1 year of supervisory or lead work experience. Must have PHC skills and experience.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, horticulture, natural resources, entomology, environment science or related field
• ISA Certified Arborist in Good Standing
• Qualified Supervisor/Certified Operator License (QS), CO Department of Agriculture
• TCIA Certified Tree Safety Professional
• CDL Class B with tanker endorsement

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of tree biology and physiology including growth habits, stress response and climate adaptive forestry techniques.
• Knowledge of common insects, pests and tree diseases of the front range and their prevention or treatment techniques.
• Knowledge of soil science including soil amendment and remediation techniques.
• Knowledge of plant health care principles, integrated pest management, and common treatments.
• Knowledge of safe chemical handling, storage, documentation, and application.
• Knowledge of hazards and safety practices common to tree maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of hiring, disciplinary, and job performance evaluation practices that follow ADA and EEOC laws.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of natural resources monitoring.
• Knowledge and methods of adult learning to train employees.

Skills:

• Skill in leading and developing a team.
• Skill in researching and understanding tree inventory data and translating the information into action plans.
• Skill in the operation of forestry equipment and tools
• Strong customer service skills.
• Skill in modeling best practices, effectively train, and supervise other employees
• Skill in responding to emergency situations.

Abilities:

• Ability to prescribe and administer tree-related Plant Health Care treatments.
• Ability to train staff in proper handling, documentation, and administering PHC interventions.
• Ability to coordinate staff during emergency storm response operations.
• Ability to multi-task while working effectively with employees and citizens.
• Ability to delegate and organize the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and schedule activities across a range of work groups.
• Ability to treat, prune, remove, and plant trees using industry standard equipment and methods.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid driver's license and the ability to operate a city vehicle
• ISA Certified Arborist or ability to obtain within 6 months
• CDL Class B with tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Qualified Supervisor/Certified Operator License or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire date

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Moderate to heavy physical work requiring the ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
• Frequent walking and standing
• Frequent activities requiring a full range of body motion including pushing, pulling, bending, stooping/crouching, and climbing
• Requires continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of equipment and vehicles
• Ability to review and interpret reports and other written documents with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to communicate with employees, contractors, and residents in field environments, with or without reasonable accommodation

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and fumes.

Equipment Used:

• Operates equipment and vehicles common to tree maintenance and plant health care.
• Computers, tablets, and similar devices.
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.


The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.


Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.


Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.


Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.