Arborist

Arborist

Join the City of Menasha's Parks, Recreation, Forestry & Cemeteries team as an Arborist!

In this full-time position, you'll play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the City's urban forest through tree inspections, hazard assessments, pruning, removals, planting, and inventory management. You'll help plan and implement best forestry practices, oversee new tree plantings and pruning schedules, and contribute to the maintenance and beautification of our parks and public spaces. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled arborist who is passionate about preserving and growing a healthy urban canopy while making a lasting impact on the community.

Hourly Pay Range: $31.01 - $39.63 (full range). The anticipated hiring range is $31.01 - $34.46, based on qualifications and experience. Offers above $34.46 require approval from the Personnel Committee and Common Council.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform all aspects of tree maintenance, including planting, pruning, inspecting, treating, fertilizing, caring for and removal as necessary for best forestry practices.
• Diagnose tree issues (disease, infestation, environmental) and assist in identifying trees in need of treatment, removal and/or replacement.
• Coordinate the selection of trees for planting and the layout of new tree plantings including the coordination of the annual Arbor Day event.
• Data and inventory entry into our community tree map software.
• Communicate with vendors in ordering products related to forestry.
• Communicate with citizens about tree-related issues.
• Respond to emergency tree hazards, which may include coordinating and participating in cleanup and hazard removal.
• Train full-time and seasonal employees including a seasonal arborist intern in tree-related procedures and use of equipment.
• Complete tree surveys, inventories and tree conditions assessments as directed.
• Assist with grant applications and grant reporting
• Assist in park maintenance operations including maintaining grounds and facilities
• Assist with snow removal activities, including operation of equipment used in plowing and salting activities.
• Perform routine maintenance and repairs on tools, equipment and machinery.
• Assist with special events set up and clean up.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry or related field and at least two (2) year Arborist work experience; OR high school graduate/equivalent and at least five (5) years work experience in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, horticulture, or related comparable landscape/grounds keeping.

• Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture as a Certified Arborist.
• Knowledge of the practices and principles of Arboriculture/Forestry including but not limited to tree identification, tree biology and types of insects and diseases that affect tree health, pruning, and removal procedures. Use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers to prevent and treat trees.
• Knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in Arboriculture/Urban Forestry.
• Ability to use applicable climbing apparatus and to tolerate considerable heights.
• Ability to use and care for ropes, knots, climber hooks, riggings, and tools commonly used in tree trimming and felling operations.
• Ability to operate effectively forestry equipment, including aerial lifts, chippers, stump grinders, tractors/loaders, dump trucks, and chain saws.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary for tree work and working in traffic.
• Ability to provide direction to full-time/seasonal staff as needed.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and able to communicate with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
• Knowledge and compliance with safety policies and procedures

• Possess a Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture as a Certified Arborist.
• Possess a valid Wisconsin Driver's License, with a good driving record.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide applicators certification in Wisconsin within one year of employment.
• Possession of or obtain within one year of the date of hire, a valid Wisconsin Class B, C, and D Commercial Driver's License with air brake restriction lifted and "N" (tanker) endorsement and good driving record which meets the legal and medical requirements of the CDL.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use both hands to handle, touch, grasp; reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities include close and distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds on a frequent basis and operate heavy tools for extended periods of time.
• Ability to perform duties in varying conditions: exposed to wet, cold and or humid temperatures, noise, dust, fumes, or toxic chemicals.
• Occasional Overtime/Weekends will be required.

FUNCTION OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and abilities; as well as, the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the duties of employees under supervision. The City of Menasha retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.

This job description is not a contract for employment.

The City of Menasha is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the American Disabilities Act. The City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Health Insurance Choose from two plan options through Network Health, with a 10% employee premium contribution.

Dental Insurance Self-funded coverage through Delta Dental with a 10% employee contribution and an 80/20 co-pay.

Vision Insurance Materials-only coverage through Superior Vision with only a 10% employee contribution.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Annual City contributions to help cover your eligible health expenses.

Generous Paid Time Off

• 8 paid holidays plus 5 floating holidays each year

• Vacation days— vacation starts accruing the month after hire

• Earn 1 day of sick leave per month

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) Save for retirement with convenient payroll deductions through a city-supported 457 plan.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Take advantage of pre-tax savings for medical and dependent care expenses.

Retirement Security

• Membership in the highly rated Wisconsin Retirement System, one of the top 10 pension plans in the nation

• Both the City and employees contribute 7.20% in 2026 for a total contribution of 14.40%