About the role
Arborist 1
Job Number:
J0925-0569
Position Title:
Arborist 1
Department:
Public Works
Appointment Status:
Full-Time Permanent
Employee Group:
CUPE 569
Job Category:
Parks and Open Spaces
Compensation:
$35.76/Hour
Closing Date:
October 24, 2025
Our City, Our Future
St. John's is a progressive city with a strong connection to the past and a positive outlook on the future. As one of the oldest cities in North America we have a unique history, but we are also a growing city with the needs and opportunities of a modern urban population. The City of St. John’s is committed to recruiting world-class talent and expertise to join our City staff, more than 1200 strong, who provide a vast array of valued services to the residents of St. John's and the metropolitan area. If you are an innovative thinker with a positive attitude and a commitment to quality, we want you to help us make St. John’s a city where people want to live and feel they belong.
The Opportunity
The Human Resources Division is presently accepting applications for the Full-Time Permanent position of Arborist I, reporting to the Foreperson, Parks & Open Spaces Division.
Accountabilities
-
Performs work related to and advise staff involved in the care and maintenance of trees.
-
Plants and transplants trees utilizing both mechanical and manual tree planting techniques.
-
Interprets and complies with utility locates for the purposes of planting trees, stump removal and grinding and any type of work that requires digging or other means of excavation.
-
Identifies and has a good working understanding of the morphology and physiology of trees common throughout the St. John’s area.
-
Applies water, fertilizer, pesticides and manual techniques required to ensure tree health.
-
Organizes assigned work, selects and prepares equipment required, ensuring work is completed in an efficient and effective manner and that work is prioritized accordingly.
-
Adheres to and ensures compliance with all applicable legislation, City policies, safe work practices and operating standards. Provides instruction as required with respect to methods of work, operation of equipment and health and safety standards.
-
Advises staff on all aspects of City tree maintenance/arboriculture program and the duties of the Arborist I and Arborist II positions as well as the tree maintenance responsibilities of Parks Service Workers, providing feedback with an aim to share skills and achieve continuous improvement.
-
Completes daily timecards, pre and post trip vehicle inspection forms, advising supervisor of deficiencies observed in a prompt and timely manner.
-
Ensures equipment is thoroughly inspected pre-use and maintained in accordance with City policy and manufactures specifications.
-
Recognizes tree hazards and maintenance requirements and reports observations to supervisor to determine appropriate course of action.
-
Works aloft at various heights, performing tree maintenance and other park operation activities, through the use of aerial devices and manual climbing using approved safety equipment and techniques.
-
Acts as a spotter, monitoring and assisting those working at heights in the handling of ropes, rigging, use of mechanical equipment, maintaining a safe workspace, etc.
-
Drives, operates, inspects and ensures proper maintenance of various equipment, including but not limited to: bucket truck, chainsaw, wood chipper, stump grinder, mechanical pole saw, trailers, stake body truck, pick-up truck, snowmobile, walk behind snowblower, winches, various hand tools, etc.
-
Transports, loads and unloads, wood, brush, wood chips and related tree and park maintenance equipment using proper lifting techniques.
-
Performs work on City streets, public spaces and within the public right-of-way, directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic to ensure site safety.
-
Effectively liaises with members of the public in a professional manner as required to address matters of tree maintenance and site safety providing secondary contact information as required.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
The successful applicant will be required to participate in all training programs applicable to this position and other related work. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Qualifications
-
Must be a high school graduate and have a diploma in Ornamental Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or related field from a post-secondary institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience deemed suitable by the City.
-
Must have and maintain current accreditation as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. To attain this accreditation a minimum of three years of experience in all types of arboricultural work including pruning, removal, knowledge of cabling and bracing, stumping, planting and fertilizing is a prerequisite.
-
Experience climbing trees and operating aerial towers, using approved equipment and safety procedures when working at various heights to perform tree maintenance, including working in the vicinity of energized conductors.
-
Must possess a valid Class 5 driver's license.
-
Must be willing to acquire further education as deemed necessary by the Department of Public Works.
This position is classified as safety-sensitive. The City of St. John’s has a comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Policy to ensure fitness for work and the completion of a satisfactory alcohol and drug test is a mandatory pre-employment requirement.
Hours of Work
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday / Shift Work as Required
Applicants must be members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 569, or should be prepared to join the Union immediately upon appointment.
We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. The City of St. John's does not accept applications in person, by email, fax or mail. Applications will be received up to 12:00 Midnight (Newfoundland Standard Time) on closing date.
This City of St. John's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the employment of a qualified workforce which reflects the community's diversity.
Are you interested in this job?
About City of St. John's
The City of St. John's employs approximately 1,200 staff who work together to provide a vast array of services to the residents of St. John’s and metro area. To help fulfill that mandate, we strive to acquire positively motivated and highly skilled individuals.
About the role
Arborist 1
Job Number:
J0925-0569
Position Title:
Arborist 1
Department:
Public Works
Appointment Status:
Full-Time Permanent
Employee Group:
CUPE 569
Job Category:
Parks and Open Spaces
Compensation:
$35.76/Hour
Closing Date:
October 24, 2025
Our City, Our Future
St. John's is a progressive city with a strong connection to the past and a positive outlook on the future. As one of the oldest cities in North America we have a unique history, but we are also a growing city with the needs and opportunities of a modern urban population. The City of St. John’s is committed to recruiting world-class talent and expertise to join our City staff, more than 1200 strong, who provide a vast array of valued services to the residents of St. John's and the metropolitan area. If you are an innovative thinker with a positive attitude and a commitment to quality, we want you to help us make St. John’s a city where people want to live and feel they belong.
The Opportunity
The Human Resources Division is presently accepting applications for the Full-Time Permanent position of Arborist I, reporting to the Foreperson, Parks & Open Spaces Division.
Accountabilities
-
Performs work related to and advise staff involved in the care and maintenance of trees.
-
Plants and transplants trees utilizing both mechanical and manual tree planting techniques.
-
Interprets and complies with utility locates for the purposes of planting trees, stump removal and grinding and any type of work that requires digging or other means of excavation.
-
Identifies and has a good working understanding of the morphology and physiology of trees common throughout the St. John’s area.
-
Applies water, fertilizer, pesticides and manual techniques required to ensure tree health.
-
Organizes assigned work, selects and prepares equipment required, ensuring work is completed in an efficient and effective manner and that work is prioritized accordingly.
-
Adheres to and ensures compliance with all applicable legislation, City policies, safe work practices and operating standards. Provides instruction as required with respect to methods of work, operation of equipment and health and safety standards.
-
Advises staff on all aspects of City tree maintenance/arboriculture program and the duties of the Arborist I and Arborist II positions as well as the tree maintenance responsibilities of Parks Service Workers, providing feedback with an aim to share skills and achieve continuous improvement.
-
Completes daily timecards, pre and post trip vehicle inspection forms, advising supervisor of deficiencies observed in a prompt and timely manner.
-
Ensures equipment is thoroughly inspected pre-use and maintained in accordance with City policy and manufactures specifications.
-
Recognizes tree hazards and maintenance requirements and reports observations to supervisor to determine appropriate course of action.
-
Works aloft at various heights, performing tree maintenance and other park operation activities, through the use of aerial devices and manual climbing using approved safety equipment and techniques.
-
Acts as a spotter, monitoring and assisting those working at heights in the handling of ropes, rigging, use of mechanical equipment, maintaining a safe workspace, etc.
-
Drives, operates, inspects and ensures proper maintenance of various equipment, including but not limited to: bucket truck, chainsaw, wood chipper, stump grinder, mechanical pole saw, trailers, stake body truck, pick-up truck, snowmobile, walk behind snowblower, winches, various hand tools, etc.
-
Transports, loads and unloads, wood, brush, wood chips and related tree and park maintenance equipment using proper lifting techniques.
-
Performs work on City streets, public spaces and within the public right-of-way, directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic to ensure site safety.
-
Effectively liaises with members of the public in a professional manner as required to address matters of tree maintenance and site safety providing secondary contact information as required.
-
Performs other duties as assigned.
The successful applicant will be required to participate in all training programs applicable to this position and other related work. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Qualifications
-
Must be a high school graduate and have a diploma in Ornamental Horticulture, Arboriculture, Forestry or related field from a post-secondary institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience deemed suitable by the City.
-
Must have and maintain current accreditation as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. To attain this accreditation a minimum of three years of experience in all types of arboricultural work including pruning, removal, knowledge of cabling and bracing, stumping, planting and fertilizing is a prerequisite.
-
Experience climbing trees and operating aerial towers, using approved equipment and safety procedures when working at various heights to perform tree maintenance, including working in the vicinity of energized conductors.
-
Must possess a valid Class 5 driver's license.
-
Must be willing to acquire further education as deemed necessary by the Department of Public Works.
This position is classified as safety-sensitive. The City of St. John’s has a comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Policy to ensure fitness for work and the completion of a satisfactory alcohol and drug test is a mandatory pre-employment requirement.
Hours of Work
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday / Shift Work as Required
Applicants must be members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 569, or should be prepared to join the Union immediately upon appointment.
We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. The City of St. John's does not accept applications in person, by email, fax or mail. Applications will be received up to 12:00 Midnight (Newfoundland Standard Time) on closing date.
This City of St. John's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the employment of a qualified workforce which reflects the community's diversity.
Are you interested in this job?
About City of St. John's
The City of St. John's employs approximately 1,200 staff who work together to provide a vast array of services to the residents of St. John’s and metro area. To help fulfill that mandate, we strive to acquire positively motivated and highly skilled individuals.