Botanic Garden Arborist

Location: Ithaca, NY
Salary: $27.25/hr. Refer to UAW union contract

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success ; Leadership Skills for Success .

Department Background

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

Cornell Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum comprising over 3,800 acres of University land in three major areas: the Botanical Gardens, Arboretum, and Natural Areas. An administrative unit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Cornell Botanic Gardens manages and protects these areas to support teaching and research at Cornell University; to preserve habitats and rare/endangered plants; and for public use for learning and recreation.

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits … More on Cornell Benefits .

Position Summary

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Under the general direction of the Arboriculture Supervisor, coordinate and assist in the oversight of all aspects of arboriculture throughout Botanic Gardens collections and natural areas. As a member of the Arborist crew, coordinate the implementation of the Landscape Management Plan for the care of trees throughout the cultivated collections. Implement the Botanic Gardens’ Tree Risk Assessment Program (TRAP) to monitor overall tree health and structural integrity throughout Botanic Gardens program areas using ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) risk assessment standards. Assist and/or lead the removal or hazard abatement of trees or tree parts identified to be a safety risk to Botanic Gardens staff, the Cornell community, visitors, and buildings and infrastructure. Serve as a technical resource for arboriculture issues throughout Botanic Gardens program areas. Coordinate and implement tree collections maintenance activities in the F.R. Newman Arboretum and campus natural areas, including tree planting and establishment care, pruning, and tree removals. Assist in identifying management needs, make recommendations, and execute stewardship activities and special projects. Implement programs for site monitoring and invasive species control. Coordinate activities of the Arborist Crew, seasonal staff, student interns, and horticultural volunteers. Coordinate the maintenance activities of gardeners, and collaborate with the Integrated Pest Management Team for pest monitoring and control as needed. Ensure outside contractors perform contracted responsibilities. Evaluate trail conditions, report hazards, conduct trail maintenance, and respond to emergency alerts from users.

This position requires flexibility in the face of multiple commitments including emergency tree work when necessary. Substantial manual labor is involved, requiring physical fitness and awareness of safety issues. Duties involve using equipment and techniques common to arboriculture that are considered high risk, and as such vigilance must be exercised regarding avoidance of injury to people, property, plant material, buildings, etc. Ensure that all protocols and procedures adhere to technical and safety requirements of the arboriculture industry. This position serves as a designated Cornell employee who performs critical Botanic Gardens’ functions during emergencies and road closures and is subject to call-in 24 hours/day, 7 days/week to support emergency response, especially hazard tree issues. Subject to occasional shift changes and extended working hours (including nights, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays) for special events.

Required Qualifications

Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
A.A.S. in arboriculture, plant science or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 3-4 years of experience as a certified arborist or directly related work experience in arboriculture, including but not limited to tree identification, biology and care, tree health and risk assessment, pruning, protection, climbing and felling techniques and safety requirements.
ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Arborist Certification or ability to obtain within six months.
Ability to obtain ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) in six months.
Two years of on-the-job tree climbing experience.
Familiarity with technical and safety standards of the American National Standards Institute for Arboriculture Operations.
Must have specialized training in the use of equipment used in the arboriculture field, such as ropes, saddles, chainsaws, brush chippers, personal protective equipment (PPE’s), etc., and be able to operate equipment related to grounds management functions, including front-end loaders, tractors, ATV’s, and pickup truck mounted snow plows, leaf blowers, riding and push mowers, string trimmers, salt/sand spreaders, snow blowers, and dump trucks.
Strong knowledge of plant nomenclature, growing requirements, nutrition needs, pests and diseases, and propagation techniques for a wide variety of temperate woody plants.
Good communication skills to coordinate multiple functions in assigned area.
Personable, flexible, and able to effectively communicate pertinent safety and technical aspects of arboriculture work to coworkers.
Ability to work in a team environment, as well as independently, to accomplish required tasks.
Excellent organizational, written, and communication skills.
Demonstrated leadership skills and judgment in decision making, task prioritization and safety requirements.
Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of people.
Capable of performing the physically demanding functions associated with tree work for this position, and be able to lift heavy objects, and move more than 75 pounds. Must be able to work from heights of over ten feet.
Must be willing to work under hazardous conditions as well as varying climatic conditions (heat, cold, precipitation, loud noises, etc.).
Must maintain a valid NYS driver’s license and be willing to operate vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs.
Proficient with common business software programs such as Word and Excel, Outlook, and web browsers.
Knowledgeable about natural areas protection in relation to tree-work.
Willing to occasionally report to work outside of the regularly scheduled shift to address Botanic Gardens’ time-sensitive operational needs, assist with departmental emergencies, or to deal with issues of public safety.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in horticulture, arboriculture, plant science, or related field.
ISA Hazard Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
Have, or be willing to obtain within the first year, basic First Aid and CPR certification.
Experience with ForestMetrix, IrisBG database software, and/or proficiency with ArcGIS mapping software.
Prior invasive species control experience.
Experience working in a public garden, museum, and/or institution of higher learning.

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications online at . When applying through our system, please remember to attach your resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the experience section of your application, use the "Drop Files Here" box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online, please click here.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information .

University Job Title:

Gardener S10

Job Family:

United Auto Workers

Level:

S10

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

Remote Option Availability:

Fully Onsite

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

J'Frances White

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates .

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-05-02