Job Description
Salary: $33.08 - $41.93 Hourly
Location : Seattle - Regional area, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2024-23215
Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks
Division: Parks
Opening Date: 12/09/2024
Closing Date: 1/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: A1 : SEIU L925-DNRP (Parks)
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Summary This posting may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for the Arborist position in the Parks Division during the following six months. 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 parkamenities for all King County residents to enjoy today and for generations to come.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Arborist, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at
Apply now for a rewarding career at the Parks Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities. Job Duties 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.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills 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.
- 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.
Supplemental Information 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
Discover More About the Parks Division: Visit our
website and check us out at, , and
Discover More About DNRP : Visit our
website , explore an
interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at
Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and
Keeping King County Green News Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
03
Do you possess a Washington State Public Pesticide Operator's License?
04
Do you possess an ISA Certified Arborist Credential?
05
Do you possess a TRAQ Qualified Credential?
Required Question King County, WA
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Local area, Remote job, Outdoor, Flexible hours,