Arborist

Arborist

Salary

$28.46 - $36.93 Hourly

Location

Rochester MN 55904, MN

Job Type

Regular FT

Job Number

20260039

Department

Parks and Recreation

Opening Date

05/05/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Rochester welcomes applications for:

Arborist

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together

Nature of Work

This is a skilled position in the Parks and Recreation Department which is responsible for the preventative care, formative pruning, and removal of trees and shrubs to improve appearance, maintain usability, improve plant health and minimize storm damage. Work will require comprehensive knowledge of tree removal techniques to ensure safety on the job.

Arborists can see the impact their work has on Rochester's landscape/environment that will benefit the community for years to come, along with the impact it will have the residents. This position is well suited for those looking to work as a team, primarily outdoors.

Pay Rate: 2025 starting hourly rate is $28.46-$36.93. Wages may be adjusted once the 2026 contract is settled.

Benefits: This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details.

This position is part of the International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 49. Individuals in this role, are part of the Local 49 Central Pension Fund, where $2.40 per hour is contributed to the fund; this is in addition to the Citys Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) pension.

To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.

• Tree & plant installation, maintenance and care activities.
• Plant, prune, remove, chemically treat, and provide general care of trees and shrubs.
• Operate hand and power tools, saws, light and medium duty equipment, and various other grounds & tree maintenance equipment including, but not limited to: chippers, various sizes of aerial lift equipment, claw/clam/grapple truck, backhoe, GRCS, etc.
• Plant trees and other plant material according to current applicable industry standards.
• Inspect trees and shrubs to determine health, and perform integrated pest management and/or the application of pesticides/herbicides.
• Properly perform tree pruning, full tree removals, repair of deformed or damaged trees, and other tree maintenance activities.
• Clear/manage brush and tree debris removal from trails, roads, parks and other City properties.
• Climb trees using a rope and saddle to prune trees or as part of a tree removal operation.
• Maintains an accurate inventory and inspection system of all ropes, lowering devices, saddles, and other assigned arborist equipment.
• Maintain and perform preventive maintenance on forestry equipment
• Train seasonal employees in the techniques and procedures of pruning, removing, and planting of trees and other vegetation.
• Respond to storm event and any resulting damage, which may include coordination of work with other divisions, departments, contractors.
• Administrative and safety requirements.
• Assist the general public with questions regarding the procedures for removing and pruning trees or refer questions to supervisors, if needed.
• Maintain records of daily tree work including participation and assistance with the Tree Inventory.
• Comply with current OSHA and ANSI safety regulations and all City safety policies and procedures.
• Park and Forestry Division Assignments.
• Perform general custodial duties including: sweeping, moping, vacuuming, general cleaning, waste & rubbish removal, and stocking supplies.
• Perform necessary repair and maintenance of buildings, facilities, infrastructure, furniture and equipment.
• Perform work utilizing various equipment found at park facilities, not noted above, including: material handling equipment, ice resurfacing equipment, athletic field grooming/painting equipment,
• Assist in non-departmental community events/activities.
• Event set up/clean up - ie. Rochester Fest, Thursdays on First, Down by the Riverside, 4th of July Celebration, etc.
• Provide operational support for activities at various City facilities including golf tournaments, hockey tournaments, baseball/softball tournaments, Rugby tournaments, Soccer events, swimming meets, etc.
• Assist in non-departmental community events/activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or closely related field AND one (1) year of experience performing preventative care, formative pruning, and tree removal.

OR

Associates degree or two-year vocational certificate in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or closely related field AND three (3) years of experience performing preventative care, formative pruning, and tree removal.

OR

A High School Diploma AND five (5) years of experience performing preventative care, formative pruning, and tree removal.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Licenses and/or Certifications

Valid Minnesota Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with air brake and tanker endorsements within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Non-commercial pesticide applicator license categories A and E; State of Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector certification; completion of the Electric Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP); and International Society of Arboriculture Arborist certification, within one year of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Desirable Qualifications

Bachelors degree in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or related field.

Experience in pesticide application and integrated pest management and installation and maintenance of outdoor areas including naturalized landscapes.

If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITYS HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)

Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

• THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY

The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

• Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY PARK AND RECREATION AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

In order to provide timely services, P&R has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.

New Hires

Individuals hired for designated positions with P&R covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.

Noncompliance with Residency Requirements

In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling

Frequent demands: sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, foot controls

Occasional demands: fine dexterity, crawling

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)

Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body)

Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals

Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)

Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)

Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)

Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)

Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY

01

The following supplemental information will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your preferred name?

03

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No

04

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.
• Less than 2 years post-secondary training
• Completion of a 2 year program or degree
• Completion of a 4 year program or degree
• Completion of a Masters degree or higher
• None of the above

05

Other than your High School diploma/GED, which of the following best describes the field of study for your degree?

• Horticulture
• Arboriculture
• Landscape Maintenance
• Natural Resources
• Ecology
• A field of study closely related to the above
• My degree is in an area NOT RELATED to any of the above
• N/A - I do not have a degree

06

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience performing preventative care and formative pruning of trees?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• More than 1 year, but less than 3 years of experience
• More than 3 years, but less than 5 years of experience
• More than 5 years of experience

07

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience with large tree rigging and removal?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• More than 1 year, but less than 3 years of experience
• More than 3 years, but less than 5 years of experience
• More than 5 years of experience

08

Which of the following best describes your years of fulltime employment experience operating aerial lift / bucket trucks?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 5
• More than 5 years, but less than 7
• More than 7 years, but less than 10
• More than 10 years

09

Tell us how your professional, educational and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.

10

Did any of your experience include operating any of the following? (Check all that apply)

• Spray rigs
• Backhoe
• Truax drill
• Chipper
• Large commercial mowers
• Tractors
• Skid steer loader
• Front-end loader
• Manual transmission trucks
• 5 yard dump truck
• Stump grinder
• Utility vehicles
• Aerial lifts/bucket truck
• Log loading grapple truck
• I do not have employment experience operating any of this equipment

11

Please indicate which International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certifications you currently possess. (Check all that apply)

• N/A - I do not possess any ISA certifications
• Board Certified Master Arborist
• Utility Arborist
• Certified Arborist
• Certified Tree Worker - Climber or Aerial Lift Specialist

12

Which of the following best describes your experience using tree climbing equipment, such as arborist saddle and ropes?

• No experience
• Limited - I am somewhat familiar with tree climbing equipment, but never really used it
• Moderate - I have done some tree climbing with ropes
• Extensive - I use an arborist saddle and ropes as a regular part of my job

13

Do you possess a current Minnesota Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator license in categories "A" and "E"? NOTE: license will be subject to verification upon hire.

• Yes
• No

14

Have you completed the Electric Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP)?

• Yes
• No

15

Which of the following best describes the level or class of the drivers license that you currently possess?

• N/A - I do not currently possess a valid drivers license
• Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds
• Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR
• Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials
• Class D: passenger car or truck

16

If you have a commercial drivers license (CDL), please indicate which endorsements, if any, that you currently possess. (Select all that apply)

• N/A - I do not have a CDL
• I have a CDL, but I do not have any of these endorsements
• T - Double/Triple Trailers
• P - Passenger
• N - Tank Vehicle
• H - Hazardous Materials
• X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials
• Air Brakes

17

If hired for this position, do you agree to comply with the City of Rochesters Response Time / Area Residency policy where you must reside within a 30-mile road miles of the Park Shop located at 403 Center St E in Rochester, Minnesota?

• Yes
• No

18

The Park and Forestry Division provides storm clean up services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When severe weather causes downed trees, staff are called in. Are you willing to be on-call or called in to work additional hours with little or no advance notice?

• Yes
• No

19

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, drivers license record and a criminal history?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Rochester

Address 201 4th Street SE

Rochester, Minnesota, 55904

Phone (507) 328-2555

Website https://www.rochestermn.gov/employment