Arborist (Contract)

Position Overview
Promotes a sustainable urban forest as part of managing municipal assets, including support for the administration of forestry contracts and municipal by-laws as related to the urban forest. Responsible for the maintenance of city owned trees by pruning and removing of trees from the ground, by climbing and by the operation of an aerial device in accordance with standard arboriculture practices; leads crew activities as assigned, prepares job site and inspects and maintains equipment; performs tree planting, pesticide application, mulching, fertilizing and irrigation. Inspects and provides detailed reports on tree inventory, hazard tree assessment, regular tree inspections, sub-division guaranteed maintenance & assumption inspections and storm and emergency tree response. Also responsible for performing winter snow plowing and removal operations.

Responsibilities
• Maintains city owned trees by using industry techniques from ground level, climbing with the use of ropes and saddle or hydraulic aerial device.
• Leads the activities of crews. Ensures that all assigned work is completed and that the work site is restored in accordance with City standards. Completes crew inspections and reports on job / assignment status
• Inspect and report on quality of Contractor work.
Complete infield GPS tree inventory in streetscapes, parks, woodlots and open space and able to complete data entry and simple reports.
• Ensures that all forestry vehicles, work areas and staff are equipped with necessary tools, maintained to emergency preparedness standards (i.e. fueled, cleaned and prepared for unscheduled emergency calls).
• Assist/guide workers that are working at heights in handling of ropes, acting as spotter and brush handling.
• Performs pesticide fertilizer and/or other chemical applications as required, adhering to Ministry of Environment and established Vaughan workplace policies, procedures and guidelines. Oversees assigned staff doing the same.
• Operates various vehicles and power equipment, including but not limited to, trucks, truck/trailer combinations, sidewalk snow plows, chainsaws, pole saws, brush cutter, stump cutter, back-hoe/loader, chippers, hand tools, crane and aerial devices as required. Ensures preventative and required maintenance is documented for each as per Fleet policy and Department Guidelines.
• Plants trees to department specifications including tree marking and reporting on contractor work.
• Complies with City regulations, department routines and procedures as they relate to job functions. Complies with regulations and requirements of the Ontario Health and Safety Association and the Ministry of Transportation.
• Prepares job site including traffic control as necessary and ensures job site is left safe and restored after work completion.
• Provides written report on daily accomplishments and reports deficient tree conditions observed in the field to the supervisor or by work order request sheet.
• Performs aerial rescue as required.
• Performs inspections and prepares detailed, basic reports related to: hazard trees, tree inventory, tree plant marking, subdivision guaranteed maintenance / assumption, tree valuation, private tree permits, and parks and streetscape development.
• Performs and maintains inventories on boulevard trees, parks and open spaces, woodlots, equipment, and supplies.
• Determines ownership of trees and property as required utilizing office software.
• Trains and guides staff to the department specifications, Routines and Procedures.
• Provides emergency response for tree triage and snow removal/ plowing operations, in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and the corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy and related procedures.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, that may occur in an emergency or unplanned situations.
Qualifications and Experience
• Community College Diploma in Arboriculture, Forestry or suitable equivalent.
Holder of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, and/or Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Arborist Certificate of Qualification, and/or equivalent combination of training and experience with ability to obtain ISA and/or MTCU certification within 6 months upon request by the City of Vaughan.
• Minimum four (4) years’ experience as an Arborist including two (2) years of tree climbing experience and one year experience coordinating the work of others.
Obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, Electrical Utilities Safety Association Electrical Awareness Certificate and Tree Rescue certification.
• Obtain and maintain Land Exterminator License Type 60.
• Valid class “DZ” and “G” driver’s license in good standing.
• Successful completion of a chainsaw safety, chipper, stumper, climbing, aerial device rescue, backhoe/loader and crane operations certificate program, as well as a Traffic Control program.
• Working knowledge of tree physiology and biology, tree health, common insects & disease, hazard, applicable federal and provincial legislation (ex CFIA) and City bylaws (ex Private Tree By-law #185-2007 and Public Tree Bylaw #95-2005).
• Strong experience in equipment maintenance, MS Office, GPS and GIS applications.
• Able to lead a crew, train staff, and communicate in a positive manner with tact and diplomacy, both oral and written with staff and the public.
• Demonstrate strong tree identification skills and ability to identify defects and makes recommendation for follow-up maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations as related to job duties. Good communication skills; ability to work effectively and courteously with staff and the public.
• Ability to demonstrate and maintain knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.