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Arborist

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Arborist

Salary

$62,900.45 Annually

Location

City of Coral Gables, FL

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

001

Department

Public Works Department

Opening Date

07/01/2025

Closing Date

7/15/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Summary

•Arborist” is a position executing duties related to the sustainability of the City of Coral Gables’ renown and valuable urban forest in public right of way, private property, and parks. The City has maintained the esteemed Arbor Day Foundation ‘Tree City USA’ designation since 1985, and maintains a dense tree canopy coverage of over 40%. The position is supervised by the City Urban Forester in the Public Works, Greenspace Management division. The position requires technical field knowledge and professional management skill to apply ISA arboricultural industry standards, City codes and ordinances to manage the urban forest consisting of over 42,000 trees and approximately 300 public green spaces. The position requires supervision of the City’s tree and landscape maintenance staff and contractors both in the field and in the office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification:

Executes work tasks assigned by the City Urban Forester and plans daily activities for contracted and in-house crews performing duties related to the maintenance of the City’s urban forest in the public right of ways and parks.

Responds to public inquiries for tree pruning requests and manages tree maintenance and landscape maintenance contractors for completion of work orders.

Works with administrative staff on customer service inquiries, retrieving phone messages, addressing work orders, and answering emails in a timely fashion for customer service excellence.

Performs field work and pruning of trees to address emergency calls to within 8’ of grade using chain saws and pruning tools.

Manage specific tree maintenance projects for City parks and right of way, as directed by the City Urban Forester. Reviews and executes permits for tree removal, tree mitigation and pruning. Performs field inspections to enforce compliance of issued permits for final close out of permits.

Works closely with the City’s code enforcement officers on interpreting tree pruning and tree removal violations.

Prepares incident reports, accident reports and various division reports. Maintains files and records using the City’s digital software for site asset maintenance and records quantities of trees pruned, removed, replaced and treated for specific diseases within a digital GIS database program. (Cartegraph).

Provides technical expertise and assistance regarding urban forest risks and hazards, proper tree care practices, plant species selection, proper siting and installation, insect and disease identification treatment and prevention, and distribution and growth of the city’s urban forest.

Coordinates tree pruning near powerlines with Florida Power and Light (FPL) and coordinates with outside agencies where necessary for utility pruning.

Responds to non-routine tree-related accidents or work orders on weekends and irregular hours, if required, under the direction of the Urban Forester.

Required to attend emergency operations meetings during hurricane season. Works as an emergency operations team member for storm events requiring tree removal and clean up. Coordinates with contractors and outside agencies for debris removal and monitoring during storm events.

Works with the operation, maintenance and repair of tree care and landscape maintenance equipment. Responds to preventive maintenance schedules working with the City fleet management division of Public Works.

Perform other related tasks as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or college level coursework in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Agriculture, Arboriculture, Landscape Architecture or related field is preferred, but not required.

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certification is required.

Three (3) years of experience in arboriculture, tree care, and/or landscape maintenance is required.

Possess or obtain within 180 days from hire, State of Florida restricted use pesticide license.

A CDL B drivers license is required to be obtained within 4 months of hire.

Must be proficient with safety standards utilizing chain saws, pruning tools, and climbing equipment.

HOLIDAYS: 15 days including 3 floating days.

SICK LEAVE: 110 hours annually.

ANNUAL LEAVE: 94 hours in the first year of employment, increasing up to 210 after 25 years. Employees must take 40 hours of annual leave each year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: 5 or 10 days for the death of a family member in accordance with the City's Personnel Rules & Regulations.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Fully paid by the City (HMO Select). Coverage becomes effective 1st of month following 30 days. Employee may purchase coverage for eligible dependents at a cost of approximately 50% of the premium.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Available at a cost to all employees through payroll deduction.

LIFE INSURANCE: Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment equal to 1 x annual salary (up to $200,000) fully paid by the City.

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS: Several plans are available, such as Short Term Disability, Life Insurance and Critical Illness policies through payroll deductions.

LEGAL SERVICES: Legal Service plan available at a cost to all employees through payroll deductions.

POST EMPLOYMENT HEALTH PLAN (PEHP): The City deposits $950 annually into an individual account for each employee. Monies may be used to pay premiums or medical expenses after retirement.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees may defer a portion of their pre-tax salary in the 457 Deferred Compensation Program.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: $2,000 per semester ($6,000 maximum annually) as per the City's Rules and Regulations.

CELL PHONE: Cell phone provided at a monthly cost of $20.00, if required by department.

RECREATIONAL USE: Employee, spouse and immediate family members seventeen (17) years of age and under are entitled to the benefits below:

- Venetian Pool – No charge for daily admission.

- Tennis Centers – No charge for daily court fees

- Youth Center – 50% off residential rates for memberships and 25% off camps and other programs.

Golf at Biltmore & Granada:

- Monday through Friday – no charge

- Saturday, Sunday and Holidays:

- Before Noon – Twilight fees apply

- After Noon – No charge

(cart fees apply at all times)

PENSION:

City Retirement Plan - Mandatory employee contribution of 10 % of salary; Vesting period is 10 years.

OR

Defined Contribution - 401a - Contribution by City of 7% of employee base annual salary. Vesting period 5 years. Employee not required to contribute.

*Note: Benefits subject to change.*

01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree or college-level coursework in Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Agriculture, Arboriculture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you hold a current International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certification?

+ Yes

+ No

03

Do you have at least three (3) years of experience in arboriculture, tree care, and/or landscape maintenance? Please describe.

+ Yes

+ No

04

Are you proficient with safety standards when using chainsaws, pruning tools, and climbing equipment? Please describe your experience.

+ Yes

+ No

05

Do you currently have a CDL Class B driver’s license, or are you able to obtain one within 4 months of hire?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

The City of Coral Gables

Address

214 Minorca Avenue Coral Gables, Florida, 33134

Phone

305-460-5523

Website

http://www.coralgables.com