What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forestry Technician I/II position at Highlands Ranch?
🌿 Make Your Mark on Our Urban Forest!
We’re inviting a passionate Forestry Technician to help care for the trees that define our community. If you enjoy hands-on outdoor work and bring arborist experience, you’ll feel right at home helping our parks and public spaces flourish.
We offer competitive pay based on your experience and certifications. We are hiring for one position at either a Tech 1 or a Tech 2 level, see descriptions and pay below.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Technician 1 - pay is up to $27.43
- Performs all aspects of municipal urban tree care maintenance.
- Complies with established safety policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure the safety of self, co-workers, community residents, and visitors.
- Proactively work to support quality service delivery to community, by acting on all observed opportunities for repair, maintenance and improved service delivery.
- Primary responsibilities include assisting staff with tree pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, tree planting, plant health care, tree inventory, general landscaping and grounds maintenance
- Works with forestry staff on large and small projects, repairs, and special project requests.
- Works with Mansion staff on maintenance requests.
- Completes work orders using Asset Essentials work order and asset management system.
- Active participant of snow removal program, assigned to rotating snow crew that will involve some night and weekend shifts.
- Respects District property, including tools, vehicles, and equipment.
- Performs litter control as needed.Â
- Assists with the completion of a variety of projects in parks, parkways, and open space.
- Maintains and adjusts equipment and tools.
- Active participant of snow removal program, assigned to rotating snow crew that will involve some night and weekend shifts.
- Collaborate professionally with Section, Division, Department and District employees.
- Assists in setting up and taking down equipment from various parks, recreation programs, and community events. Prepares facilities for park and recreation program use.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Technician 2 – pay is up to $30.24
In addition to the above.
- Helps to monitor and communicate with contractors. Â
- Enters and manages work orders in asset management system as needed.
- Responsible for routine inspections of trees.
- Manage specific projects, as assigned.
- Assists with maintaining required inventory levels and recommending purchases as needed for supplies.
- Identifies potential problems and initiates resolutions.
- Completes and submits required reports as needed (incident, work order, etc.).
- Serves as a member of various employee committees, as assigned. Â Â
Desired Qualifications and Experience
Technician I
- High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Two years’ field experience in the tree care industry.
- Must hold a valid driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
Technician II
In addition to the above.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Three years’ field experience in the tree care industry.
- Must hold a valid driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
- ISA Certified Arborist credential.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Technician I
- Ability to perform the essential duties listed above.
- Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion.
- Follow through with tasks and adapt to changing priorities, process conditions, and circumstances.
- Work independently on specific tasks with minimal supervision and exercise independent judgment to complete daily activities according to work schedule.
- Basic understanding and reading of irrigation, utility, and as-built plans. Â
- Skilled in operating the listed tools and equipment, demonstrating a strong understanding of their functionality and maintenance requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong work ethic and demonstrated desire to learn.
- Lift heavy objects, walk and stand for long periods of time, and perform strenuous physical labor under adverse field conditions.
- Use equipment and tools properly and safely.
- Knowledge of occupational hazards, first aid and safety precautions related to work.
- Ability to maintain records and prepare concise reports.
- Establish effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, contractors, supervisors, and the public.
- Represent the District in a professional manner, exemplifying integrity and excellence always.
- Must be able to arrive at work within 60 minutes of on-call notification.
- Ability to perform the essential duties listed above.
- Physically able to move about on work sites and under adverse field conditions.
- Ability to work outside of normal business hours, when necessary, which includes evenings and weekends throughout the metro area.
Technician II
In addition to the above.
- Skilled in the safe operation of tools and equipment used.
- Ability to operate all tree care equipment. Â
- Ability to supervise or provide directions to Tech I’s contractors, vendors or temporary staff as assigned.
Supervision Received
Works under the direction of the Parkways Supervisor. Receives additional directions from Technician III on projects and tasks assigned.
Supervision Exercised
May supervise or provide directions to contractors, vendors or seasonal staff as assigned.
Tools and Equipment Used
Lawn and landscape equipment including tractors, mowers, edgers, weed trimmers, electric motors, pumps, irrigation systems, snow blowers; miscellaneous hand and power tools for turf maintenance, snow removal, carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, and cement finishing work; valves, filtration devices, gauges, etc.
Computers, cell phone, Microsoft products (Excel, Outlook, etc.), web and database software, and desk phone. General office equipment such as multi-function printer scanner copier, etc.Â
Work Schedule
The hours are generally 6:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The schedule will vary depending on weather conditions, projects, events, programs, meetings, and staffing levels, and will include some evening, early morning, weekend, holiday and overtime hours.Â
This position is also a part of the snow crew in the winter months and will have varying hours as team members rotate through a primary call schedule and will be required to work some nights, weekends and holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation 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 reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is routinely required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and smell.
The employee is required to enter confined spaces and spend a considerable amount of time in wet and muddy conditions.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.Â
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and near moving mechanical parts. The employee frequently works around or near auto traffic and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Selection Guidelines
Formal applications, rating of education and experience; panel interview(s) and reference check; job related tests might be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The Metro District is dedicated to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age over 40, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.Â
About Us
The Highlands Ranch Metro District, as the local government in our community, is committed to providing the following high-quality municipal services while managing resources wisely for Highlands Ranch such as; construction of major roads, installation and maintenance of landscaping and fences adjacent to major roads, installation of traffic signals and street lights on major roads, construction and maintenance of parks and trails, youth and adult outdoor recreation and sports programs, management and maintenance of extensive natural open space areas and so much more.
Our Benefits
We prioritize your well-being and recognize the importance of a work/life balance by offering outstanding benefits:
Health & Retirement!
- 100% paid employee-only medical insurance premiums
- 100% paid employee-only dental & vision insurance premiums
- 100% paid life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance premiums
- 100% contribution match for the pension plan
- Up to 6% employer contribution for the optional retirement plan
Work/life Balance!Â
- 80 hours of earned vacation per year, increasing after 5 years
- 80 hours of annual sick leave
- 32 hours of annual personal leave
- 10 paid holidays
- 200 hours of medical leave with certification
Wellness & Improvement!
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support, guidance, and resources for employees and their families.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for additional medical expenses.
- Up to $2,000 a year for education reimbursement.
- Highlands Ranch Community Association recreation center pass for a discounted fee.Â
Saving, Planning & Other!
- Optional 457 deferred compensation plan to help employees plan for their retirement.
- Generous stipend for personal cell phone.
- Discounts for employees on over 1,000 products and services.
Application Information
Pre-employment screening includes a background check, illegal substances screening and motor vehicle record review.
We will be accepting applications for at least two weeks or until the position is filled.
Submit applications at highlandsranch.org/apply or if viewing this posting from our career center, click "Apply" below.
The hours are generally 6:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The schedule will vary depending on weather conditions, projects, events, programs, meetings, and staffing levels, and will include some evening, early morning, weekend, holiday and overtime hours.
This position is also a part of the snow crew in the winter months and will have varying hours as team members rotate through a primary call schedule and will be required to work some nights, weekends and holidays.
Salary : $23 - $30