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Parks is seeking an Arborist to join our highly productive, customer-focused team to care for the trees on King County properties. Trees are important natural resources that provide parks and trails with valuable benefits, such as beautiful foliage, housing for wildlife, and shade on hot, sunny days. Join us in protecting and enhancing the trees of King County to continue providing our community with healthy and thriving environments.

About the Role:
The Arborist will provide long-term care and management of trees on King County properties and provide technical information for projects and advise staff on best management practices of tree resources, tree appraisals, and other arboriculture-related recommendations. Work is performed outdoors and in inclement weather.

About the Team:
King County Parks has evolved from 150 acres in 1938 to more than 28,000 acres. Today, our system consists of more than 205 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 215 miles of backcountry trails. Our mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities. We seek to cultivate strong relationships with community partners to enhance park amenities for all King County residents to enjoy today and for generations to come.

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Oversee care of trees and their appearance by pruning and/or repairing branches, training young trees, and removing damaged limbs. Evaluate trees for disease and pest problems and develop Tree Management Plans for all assigned sites and programs.
• Identify, evaluate, and remove hazardous trees or contract professional tree service for removals; create preventative maintenance work orders.
• Ongoing monitoring of tree health as appropriate.
• Identify monetary value of trees.
• Assist with tree selection and planting of native and ornamental tree species.
• Provide customer service to the public regarding tree concerns on assigned custodial properties.
• Operate, maintain, and inspect vehicles, equipment, and tools associated with tree care.
• Provide training to staff regarding BMP's (Best Management Practices) when completing arborist related duties.
• Advise and train staff in tree identification and diagnosis of common tree concerns.
• Perform inventory and order supplies, materials, and equipment.

Qualifications You Bring:    

• Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated, progressive experience as an Arborist, other tree care experience, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job.
• Demonstrated knowledge of entomology and plant pathology.
• Ability to safely operate trucks and trailers and other assigned maintenance equipment.
• Skill in performing minor equipment and/or machinery repairs in the field.
• Skill in identifying safety hazards.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all co-workers and supervisors.
• Ability to effectively interact with customers and to handle difficult situations on a daily basis.
• Demonstrated experience with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Competencies You Bring:     

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

Required Licenses: 

• Possession of a valid Washington State Driver's license.
• Washington State Public Pesticide Operator's license, or ability to obtain license within 6 months of hire.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist Certification.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ).

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and to prioritize work tasks.
• Skill in leading, directing and training others.
• Skill in utilizing GIS/GPS equipment and software to collect data and create maps.
• Knowledge of Parks maintenance operations and procedures including trail maintenance and construction, landscaping, and grounds keeping and facilities.

Working Conditions: 

• Work Location: This position will report to the Neuwaukum District Maintenance Shop, 15632 SE 288th Ln, Kent, WA 98042. This position will eventually report to the Central Maintenance Facility in Renton, WA once construction is completed.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, typically four 10-hour days. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. 
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 925. 
• Physical Requirements:
  • The ability to use power tools and operate equipment on a continuous basis.
  • The ability to perform heavy physical labor with weights up to 75 pounds.
  • The ability able to work on uneven slopes, surfaces, grades and terrain in inclement weather and other adverse conditions.
  • The ability to work at ground level, boom/bucket trucks, and all levels in between.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Note:  Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jessica Fuqua at jfuqua@kingcounty.gov.