What are the responsibilities and job description for the Variable Hour Arborist Assistant position at Oregon Metro?
This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) to two (2) variable hour positions, which are limited to 1040 hours of work in the fiscal year.
Schedule: The individual(s) selected for this role will work 40 hours per week.
Work week: Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Blue Lake Regional Park, but you will be performing work across the region at our various parks and cemeteries
Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
The Parks and Nature department is looking for a variable hour Arborist Assistant to work closely with our Metro certified Arborist to execute tree care plans and maintenance tasks, primarily focusing on pruning and trimming to enhance tree health, appearance, and safety. Additionally, the Arborist Assistant will help with hazard tree removals, plantings, and ensuring newly planted trees survive.
As the VHE Arborist Assistant you will
- Receive comprehensive training and supervision for safe and efficient work completion.
- Assist park staff and Arborist with storm cleanup and hazard mitigation in parks and cemeteries.
- Perform monitoring activities, trails closures and other safety-related activities to ensure the work sites are safe and clear of the public and staff.
- Prune and trim trees using precision hand tools and power equipment.
- Tend to newly planted trees ensuring proper watering during the heat of the summer.
- Assist in the removal of dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, employing chainsaw skills and rigging techniques.
- Operate and maintain various tools and equipment essential for tree care and landscaping including chainsaws, pruners, dump trucks, and woodchippers.
- Clean up debris and waste generated during tree care activities.
- Ensure the work site is left clean and safe for park guests.
- Adhere to safety protocols and procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Attributes for success
- Skilled in various pruning techniques and tree care operations.
- Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with team members.
- Strong customer service skills to assist and address questions from park guests.
- Demonstrated adaptability to work efficiently in varying weather conditions and terrain.
- Emphasis on safety as a top priority, ensuring the well-being of team members and the public.
- Ability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities including heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under inclement weather conditions, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to safely operate vehicles and equipment.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum qualifications
- High School or GED, AND
- One year of experience in Experience in the tree industry using Arborist related equipment such as chainsaws, chippers, dump trucks and other relevant equipment; OR
- Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
Required qualifications
Upon hire:
- Possession of a valid driver’s license
Within 6 months of hire:
- First Aid/CPR Certification, and such other certifications and licenses as may be required
- Possess all certifications necessary for safe operation of equipment
Working Conditions
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
- Experience working on an arborist crew
- Any ISA certifications or TRAQ (Tree risk assessment qualification)
- Experience in the safe operation of heavy equipment such as tractors, large dump trucks, loading and hauling trailers, chippers etc.
- Experience in the safe operation of chainsaws
- Experience and understanding of the safety related aspects of arboriculture related work
- Pacific Northwest tree identification skills
- Experience working in parks or other public areas and an understanding of the dynamics of working in a public space where safety is the top priority
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
- A completed online application
- Responses to supplemental questions
The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
- Initial review of minimum qualifications
- In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
- Consideration of top candidates/interviews
- Reference check
- Background, driving records check for finalist candidate
COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATON
The full-hour wage for this position is $29.98.
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. It is classified as a Maintenance Worker I.
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
Questions?
Recruiter: Christina Rentas
Email: christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov
Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.
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Metro
Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.