URBAN FORESTRY CREW LEADER

** THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CURRENT CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION-FORESTRY SERVICES EMPLOYEES ONLY **

Under the direction of an Urban Forestry Manager, the Urban Forestry Crew Leader (UFCL) is the lead worker of urban forestry staff engaged in the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, landscape plants, and turf growing on City of Milwaukee green spaces.

The UFCL participates in snow and ice control operations and the emergency response for trees damaged by weather events, vehicle accidents, or other causes on a scheduled rotation or as-needed basis.

Urban Forestry Crew Leader Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, train, and inspect the field activities of a team of urban forestry specialists and apprentices, regular and seasonal laborers, workforce development participants, and municipal equipment operators.
• Prepare periodic performance assessments of Urban Forestry Specialists, Urban Forestry Apprentices, Urban Forestry Workers, and workforce development participants.
• Enforce the DPW-Operations Division-Forestry Services’ Work Rules and Safe Work Rules and Procedures.

Urban Forestry Field Work

• Perform or assist in the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf on City of Milwaukee green spaces.
• Operate and drive large vehicles such as dump trucks, hi-lifts, skid-loaders, log loaders, crane-assisted grapple saws, soil wagons, and trailers.
• Operate specialized power and hand equipment, including mowers, stump grinders, chain saws, chippers, trencher/backhoes, leaf blowers, string trimmers, pipe pullers, various sprayers, and other industry-specific manually-operated and motorized equipment.
• Construct, repair, and maintain concealed irrigation systems.

Emergency Response Duties

• Perform duties to respond to emergencies such as wind, snow, and ice storms, irrigation leaks, and damage to trees sustained during construction.
• Participate in general snow and ice control (GIC) operations, by manually and mechanically plowing and salting snow on streets, sidewalks, and intersections, monitoring GIC route progress, and providing GIC yard support.

Administrative Functions

• Plan, monitors, and assist in performing surveys and placing notices pertaining to service requests and code enforcement on private property.
• Conduct periodic surveys designed to assess pest control, planting, removal, and maintenance needs.
• Accurately record work progress and updates the City’s street tree inventory using field computers.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• The UFCL is subject to emergency call-out 365/24/7.
• By law, the UFCL is subject to random drug and alcohol testing during the course of employment.
• The UFCL must be able to withstand a wide range of weather conditions and be physically able to perform moderate to heavy labor, including lifting and moving equipment and materials weighing up to 50 lbs. unassisted and 100 lbs. with assistance.

1. Regular status as a City of Milwaukee DPW-Operations Division-Forestry Services employee, having successfully completed a probationary period for a civil service position AND one year of experience as an Urban Forestry Specialist with the City of Milwaukee.
2. Residency within 15 miles of the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Milwaukee within six months of appointment and throughout employment, pursuant to Rule III, Section 4(g) of the Rules of the City Service Commission. A map defining the jurisdictional boundary is located on the Fire and Police Commission website at: https://city.milwaukee.gov/fpc/Residency-Map.htm.
3. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) Pesticide Applicator Certification Commercial Category 3.0-Turf & Landscape certification within six months of appointment.
4. Valid Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s License at the time of appointment and throughout employment. 

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry, biology, environmental science, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist.
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP).

Technical

• Knowledge of arboriculture, landscape management, tree anatomy and physiology, tree and plant identification, insect and disease identification, and pesticides.
• Knowledge of governmental regulations and industry standards for arboricultural and landscape work.
• Knowledge of safety principles and practices and ability to ensure that safety regulations are followed.
• Knowledge of the equipment, tools, and methods used in arboriculture, including tree climbing and rigging systems, tree planting, pruning, structural support systems, and tree and stump removal.
• Knowledge of the equipment, tools, and methods used in horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and irrigation systems.
• Ability to operate vehicles and equipment (dump trucks, hi-lifts, skid-loaders, chippers, stump grinders, commercial mowers, trailers, chain saws, leaf blowers, string trimmers) used to maintain an urban forest.
• Knowledge of mathematics and ability to perform accurate calculations.
• Ability to use field computers equipped with street tree inventory and management software.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Oral and written communication skills to communicate clearly with staff and conduct code enforcement activities.
• Ability to acquire lead worker skills to effectively direct, coordinate, and train field crews performing urban forestry activities.
• Interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, elected officials, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively, effectively, and fairly with coworkers and citizens whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Customer service skills; ability to respond appropriately to requests and inquiries.

Critical Thinking Skills and Professionalism

• Analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Planning, organizational, and time management skills; ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to handles stress, especially during emergency operations.
• Honesty and the ability to safeguard City equipment.

The current starting salary (PR 7IN) is $55,449 annually, and the resident incentive starting salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $57,113 annually. Appointment will be made in accordance with the City of Milwaukee Salary Ordinance.

**Starting Pay Period 18 (August 20th), the new starting salary will be (pay range 7FN) $65,022 annually and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents will be $66,793 annually. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of related education, experience and accomplishments, written tests, interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations and the Department of Public Works reserve the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral exams, performance tests, or personal interviews. Information from the selection process will be used to make a hiring decision. Selected candidates will be transferred and/or promoted to the position.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified by email of the date, time and place of the examination. 

NOTE: Promotional examinations are not open to Milwaukee Public Schools employees or to the public. Only current non-probationary City of Milwaukee employees and civilian personnel in Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee Police Department hired through a City Service Commission process will be considered. Individuals with exempt, provisional, temporary, or emergency appointments are not eligible for promotional examinations.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO 701

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.