Apprentice Tree Climber
: Job Details :

JOB LOCATION13645 E Ellsworth Ave Aurora, Colorado 80012-1331City of Aurora, ColoradoIt is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESHiring Salary: $17.00/hour The deadline to submit an application to this position is January 1st, 2025. This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate will work an average of 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical Benefits as well as accrue paid time off and receive 10 paid holidays.The Apprentice Tree Climber is responsible for assisting technicians and lead workers in daily assignments related to tree care, including pruning, stump grinding, planting, and watering. They operate various machinery for ground operations, educate citizens on street tree maintenance, and can lead volunteer work projects. The role also involves maintaining equipment, performing emergency storm response and snow removal duties, and ensuring a safe working environment .The Apprentice position ensures a constant supply of technicians, and is crucial for citizen safety as it ensures the proper care and maintenance of street trees. Well-maintained trees reduce the risk of falling branches or hazardous conditions, enhancing overall safety for pedestrians and drivers. Additionally, the apprentice's possession of commercial driver's licenses is essential for street snow plowing, allowing them to efficiently clear roadways during winter weather conditions, minimizing hazards and improving public safety.Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Follows directives of technicians and lead worker on daily assignments
• Prunes, grinds stumps, plants, and waters trees under supervision
• Operates machinery needed in ground operations for tree maintenance
• Educates and explains forestry standards of street tree maintenance to citizens
• Serves as crew leader on volunteer work projects
• Maintains equipment for daily use
• Performs 24 hour emergency storm response and snow removal duties in coordination with other departments
• Maintains a safe working environment
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONSAn equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.Education:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Experience:

• No previous experience required

Preferred Experience

• One year of manual labor experience in the green industries
• And/or college level education in horticulture, natural resources, arboriculture, forestry, or related field

Knowledge:

• Hazards and safety practices common to tree maintenance operations.
• Principles and techniques of job site safety and maintaining a safe work space

Skills:

• Follows the standard operating procedures of a safety sensitive work environment
• Operates chipper
• Courteously drives non-CDL city vehicles
• Operates chainsaws and other hand tools
• Maintains a safe work environment

Abilities:

• Team player. Can coordinate activities with other crew members.
• Ability to work in unpleasant and sometimes hazardous weather conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees
• Communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing
• Able to learn technical material quickly and apply lessons consistently
• Ability to learn skills and do tasks that require physical endurance

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid driver's license with clean driving history

WORKING CONDITIONS Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Moderate to heavy physical work depending on assigned function; Continuous heavy physical work requiring the ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds; Continuous walking and standing; frequently performs activities requiring a full range of body motion including pushing, pulling, bending, stooping/crouching, and climbing; continuous hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles; speech communication to give instructions and information to employees; vision to read manuals and gauges and operate equipment; hearing/listening for instructions, troubleshooting, and warning signals.

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, noise, fumes, dust, and chemicals; and able to work weekends

Equipment Used:

• Non-CDL chip truck
• Chippers
• Water truck
• 1 ton dump trucks
• Snow blowers and truck mounted snow plows
• Chainsaws
• Hand tools and power tools
• Stump grinder
• Computers and typical MS Office software
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.