Forestry Technician

at  City of Saskatoon

Division: Community Services
Department: Parks
Term: 1 Seasonal Full Time position available.
Closing Date: 11/06/2024
Labour Group: CUPE 59
Posting: 3757

JOB SUMMARY

Under supervision of the Supervisor (Urban Forestry), and in consultation with the Contract Administrator, this position performs a variety of tasks related to tree maintenance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12 education.
• Graduation from a diploma in a horticulture program, including a core course in arboriculture or urban forestry.
• Possession of and ability to maintain current Arborist Certification from the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Possession of and ability to maintain current Tree Risk Assessment Training (TRAQ) from the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Four years’ related tree maintenance and tree evaluation experience.
• Possession of a valid recognized first aid and CPR certificate.
• Possession of a valid Saskatchewan Class 5A Driver’s Licence.
• Current driver’s abstract from SGI demonstrating a safe driving record.
• Knowledge of Occupation, Health and Safety Regulations as they pertain to Urban Forestry operations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, to species and cultivar, the woody plant material used in the urban forest.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate trees for structural defects, insects, disease and other hazardous conditions, assess tree risk and failure potential and make recommendations for the appropriate maintenance response, at the expert level.
• Demonstrated ability to apply arboriculture principles, practices and techniques to the pruning, planting and general maintenance of trees, at the expert level.
• Ability to operate safely, and perform minor repairs to, a variety of equipment used in urban forestry operations.
• Ability to work in a cooperative work group.
• Physical ability to perform the assigned duties.
• Skill in the operation of a computer to generate service requests and to retrieve information from Tree Manager and Map Guide.
  Weekly Hours: 40
  Salary Range: $30.91 to $34.08 CAD per hour (2023 rates)

• Provides technical support to all aspects of the urban forestry program.
• Investigates, and responds to, tree-related concerns by meeting with clients to provide information about the urban forestry program and services and, when necessary, proposing mutually agreeable solutions.
• Evaluates trees for structural defects and other hazardous conditions, provides assessments of tree risk and failure potential, and makes recommendations for the appropriate maintenance response
• Assesses trees for insects and disease.
• Assists with ensuring adherence, by staff and contractors, to specifications, guidelines, safety policies, work procedures, Departmental policies and related legislation.
• Assists with maintaining the inventory of proposed contract tree maintenance areas by assessing each tree and updates the records.
• Assists in-house crews in the pruning, cabling, and removal of trees.
• Maintains records related to the operation of the urban forestry program, the computerized tree inventory system, work order system and related tree inventories.
• Supports and promotes a safe and positive workplace culture through a variety of initiatives and activities.
• Supports and promotes the health and safety of employees in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulations in addition to the City of Saskatoon’s Administrative Occupational Health & Safety Policies and departmental procedures.
• Facilitates and participates in public education and awareness programs related to tree care.
• Facilitates and participates in work-related safety training programs and staff training and development programs.
• Assists with the development of long- and short-range planning for the maintenance of boulevard and park trees.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.