Forester

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Employment Type
Full Time

Job Summary

FORESTER

Are you passionate about urban forestry and ensuring our community’s trees thrive? Do you enjoy working outdoors and want to make a lasting impact on our parks and streetscapes? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Forester!

As a Forester, you’ll spend your days planting, pruning, and maintaining trees, monitoring forest health for diseases or pests, maintaining irrigation systems, and restoring natural areas through conservation efforts . You’ll be part of a n energetic team that cares for parks, trails, and community green spaces, ensuring they remain safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone.

We believe in creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported. Our team enjoys a culture of collaboration, safety, and professional growth. We also offer competitive benefits, including a generous clothing and footwear allowance, free on-site health clinic for employees on the City’s insurance plan, and excellent work-life balance . For more details, please view our benefits page by clicking here .

Pay Range: $25.50 to $31.81/hour depending on experience

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Job Posting Closing Date: 11/11/24

For more details, review the full job details and requirements below.

The Forester is responsible for the care and upkeep of trees in urban areas and parks. Much of their time is dedicated to planting trees, monitoring their health, operating and maintaining equipment, managing irrigation systems, and controlling pests and herbicides.

Key Responsibilities

• Selects and prepares trees for planting; makes ground preparations; plants and maintains trees; waters, prunes, cuts heavy limbs, and removes dead or fallen trees; cares for street and park trees; ensures safety at work sites.
  
• Operates and maintains pruning equipment like chainsaws, pole saws, and brush chippers; operates vehicles and drives to and from work sites.
  
• Applies herbicides and pesticides; addresses overgrown roots and utility line issues.
  
• Keeps records of planting and maintenance; completes daily logs.
  
• Assists with emergency situations involving trees and snow removal as needed.
  

Qualifications

Experience: Three or more years of increasingly responsible experience working in landscape maintenance including experience as a tree trimmer is required.Applicant must have working knowledge of irrigation system repairs and maintenance.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Additional specialized education and/or training in landscape maintenance or a related field is preferred.

Licenses & Certifications: A valid driver’s license and favorable driving record is required. A Class A commercial driver’s license with tanker endorsement is required within twelve months of employment.

Environmental or Physical Demands: The Forester works outside in a variety of weather and environmental conditions such as wind, sun, rain, pollen, dust, allergens, and other elements. This position requires the ability to frequently traverse uneven outdoor areas, perform physical activities that require considerable use of one's arms and legs moving one's whole body to climb, lift, balance, walk, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl while handling materials. May use rope and saddle or lift to climb trees in excess of 60feet tall and will be working at heights. Will operate a variety of hand and power tools sometimes while working at heights. Must regularly lift and/or move up to80pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently. May drive or ride from site-to-site multiple times throughout the day. Must be able to work in distracting situations including high volume traffic areas and city medians.

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• City of Olathe

• 913971-8919

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