Urban Forestry Technician III/II - Longview, WA

Job Description · Recruitment Information: Application materials (application, cover letter, and resume) must be completed along with responses to any supplemental questions by the deadline to be considered for the position. This recruitment closes on 3/2/26 at 10pm. · This pos ...

Job description

Job Description

Recruitment Information: Application materials (application, cover letter, and resume) must be completed along with responses to any supplemental questions by the deadline to be considered for the position. This recruitment closes on 3/2/26 at 10pm.

This position requires applicants to pass a pre-employment exam. We have partnered with Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, WA, to administer our exams. Applicants must take the exam no later than March 5,

***To register for a testing time go to call the Testing Center directly at Select City of Longview Employment Testing and select the Parks and Recreation exam. The exam cost is $50. Applicants will need a 70% or higher to be considered. Test scores are good for 5 years.

***Financial assistance is available through LCC. Inquire and apply with the LCC Testing Center. If you have already taken this exam, please attach the scores to this application.

Position Overview:

Provides arboricultural services for City departments, including health and risk assessment of trees in public rights-of-way, parks, and other City-owned property; coordination, inspection, and approval of public tree plantings (particularly within rights-of-way); and the performance of pruning, tree planting, and tree removals in support of public safety and operational efficiency.

This position also includes the safe and skilled operation of specialized tree care and material-handling equipment, supporting complex removals and maintenance activities. The Urban Forestry Technician II/III assists with the operation and support of modern equipment, including purpose-built tree handling machinery, and works closely with the crew to execute projects efficiently and safely.

Additional responsibilities include education and training of crew members on proper arboricultural practices in the field; maintenance and analysis of public tree inventory data; and ongoing evaluation of public tree needs to support long-term urban forest health.

The selected candidate will be placed in the appropriate position according to qualifications: Urban Forestry Technician III or Urban Forestry Technician II as determined by the City.

Salary Information:

Urban Forestry Technician III: $58,320 to $74,808 Yearly

Urban Forestry Technician II: $61,680 to $79,116 Yearly

This position is represented by the EBA. Refer to the City's website, , to view the current labor agreement. City employees shall reside within a thirty (30) minute driving response time under normal driving conditions for emergency response.

Essential Job Duties

• Makes recommendations regarding tree selection, retention, health, safety, and other issues regarding public trees. Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on developing a public tree management program. Works with internal and external customers.
• Performs planting, transplanting, pruning, spray/inject plant and removes trees in parks, along city streets, or on other public property using various means including ladders, aerial lifts, rope and saddle, and from the ground.
• Performs a variety of tree maintenance duties in park areas, landscapes, and/or other related areas, including: watering; pruning trees, shrubs, and hedges; and/or, performing other related activities.
• Evaluates/assesses/resolves hazardous tree issues on public property and makes recommendations for action.
• Conducts field inspections of public tree plantings to determine compliance with designs, plans, and specifications.
• Performs minor repairs/improvements and maintains the cleanliness and orderliness of Urban Forestry sites (shrubs, trees, and vegetation) and facility structures (restrooms, offices, parking lots, and other urban forestry facilities).
• Performs cabling and bracing work on trees.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment following instructions and safety standards to inspect and maintain plants. Equipment used may include aerial lift, chipper, chain saws, stump grinder, tree spade, tractors, and boom truck.
• Provides guidance to part time employee(s) regarding safety practices, methods of operating and setting up equipment, and properly pruning and removing techniques.
• Maintains an electronic database of records concerning tree management activities.
• Operates and performs minor upkeep on trucks, tractors, chippers, or other light automotive mechanical equipment.
• Operates and performs minor repairs on hand-held power and pruning tools.
• Operates a variety of light-to-heavy equipment and/or large trucks, which may include: dump trucks, Sennebogen, skid steer, chippers, trucks, and/or other related equipment.
• Performs minor repairs/improvements and maintains the cleanliness and orderliness of park grounds (turf, shrubs, trees, and vegetation), facilities (restrooms, offices, and picnic shelters) and infrastructure (parking lots, tables, benches, sports fields/courts, and irrigation systems).
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Urban Forestry Technician III

• Completion of high school or equivalent.
• Up to 1 year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in Urban Forestry, or related field; and 1-2 years of general tree maintenance, or landscaping experience.
• Heavy equipment experience preferred.
• Possess and maintain a valid unrestricted Driver's License, except for corrected vision.
• First Aid/CPR Certification or obtain within ninety (90) calendar days or as scheduled.
• Traffic Control Flagging Card or obtain within ninety (90) calendar days or as scheduled.
• Specialized licenses or certifications specific to Urban Forestry will be assigned by the City based on need of the Department after hire. Once assigned you will be required to obtain within a specified time set forth by the City. These include but are not limited to:
• Class A Commercial Driver's License with Air Brakes Endorsement or obtain 12 calendar months of assignment.
• Class B Commercial Driver's License with Air Brakes Endorsement or obtain 12 calendar months of assignment.
• Must pass above the 70 percentile of the Talevation Entry-Level Industrial Skills Exam through Lower Columbia College (LCC) OR provide passing certificates OR current employees of the City of Longview must have passed the City of Longview General Skills Exam.

Urban Forestry Technician II

• Must meet all the requirements of an Urban Forestry Technician III
• 3 years of full-time experience in arboriculture OR Associate's degree in arboriculture and 2 years of full-time practical experience OR a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and 1 year of full-time practical experience OR a combination of education, training and experience which would provide the required skills, knowledge and ability to perform the job as determined by the department.
• ISA Arborist License

Ideal Candidate Information

Required Knowledge and Ability:

• Thorough knowledge of urban tree care and maintenance, including the ability to identify tree species and recognize diseases, pests, cultural and nutritional deficiencies, and recommend appropriate corrective treatments.
• Thorough knowledge of common tree diseases, fungal pathogens, bacterial infections, soil-borne issues, and insect pests affecting regional urban forests.
• Ability to diagnose complex tree and plant health issues and develop treatment plans utilizing chemical, cultural, structural, and environmental interventions.
• Understanding and application of disease and pest management methods, including monitoring, treatment thresholds, documentation, and evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
• Ability to safely mix, prepare, and apply pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers in compliance with state and federal regulations (WSDA, EPA) and City policy.
• Ability to perform hazard tree evaluations, including tree climbing, and make sound recommendations for corrective action.
• Knowledge of accepted pruning practices (branch and root) and the ability to assess and address tree conflicts on public property.
• Working knowledge of City tree practices, policies, and codes, with the ability to analyze and interpret policies, regulations, maps, and site conditions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while effectively organizing and prioritizing workload.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally with coworkers, supervisors, and the public to exchange information, negotiate solutions, and facilitate consensus on tree-related issues.
• Proficiency with personal computer programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, permit tracking systems, permit databases, and basic familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Advanced skill in the safe operation of forestry and grounds maintenance equipment, including aerial lifts, cranes, front-end loaders, backhoes, tractors with implements, large chippers, stump grinders, dump trucks, and similar specialized equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment hydraulic systems, load capacities, and hazard awareness, particularly when operating near utilities, roadways, structures, or in active public spaces.
• Ability to conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections and perform minor maintenance and repairs on equipment and vehicles, including fluid checks, lubrication, blade and chain adjustments, and safety inspections.
• Experience operating and maintaining applicable vehicles and machinery, including large-truck driving, trailer towing, material transport, and safely positioning equipment in constrained urban environments.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safe work practices, with the ability to perform manual labor, routine maintenance, and repair activities.
• Ability to handle job-related stress and work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

The City provides a comprehensive benefits package that is predominantly employer-paid for full family coverage, which includes medical, dental, vision, employee assistance program, long-term disability insurance, and basic life insurance with buy-up options for the employee, employee's spouse and dependents. All employees are required to participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems programs and have the option to participate in a 457 deferred compensation program. Other benefits include generous paid leave such as vacation, holidays, and sick leave, and voluntary participation in a tax-deferred medical or dependent 125 plans.