ARBORIST II

Overview

Under direct oversight, the Arborist II performs skilled arboricultural work among a team of experienced arborists, within City of Cincinnati rights-of-way, parks, and other public properties. The Arborist II will climb or utilize an aerial lift to remove dead and dangerous trees, and regularly perform structural pruning to uphold the long-term integrity of public trees. The scope of work includes stump removal, tree planting, pest/disease management, emergency response during and after storms to remove trees and hazards, and other maintenance of public trees.

The Arborist II will also perform general maintenance of equipment and vehicles, and other job‑related duties as required.

• Tree climbing techniques including single/double rope, limb walking, redirects, and proficient use of harness, throw lines, and ropes. Climbing and rigging knots used in tree care operations.
• Modern climbing and rigging equipment utilized for safe and efficient tree care operations.
• Aerial rescue techniques.
• Tools and power equipment used in tree maintenance (chainsaws, hand tools, chippers, stump grinders, etc.), their proper usage, maintenance, safety procedures, and corresponding personal protective equipment as defined within ANSI A300 industry standards.
• Tree maintenance techniques and best practices for managing the physics and dynamics of tree/branch loads and felling operations. Proper pruning practices to maintain a healthy structure, shape, and clearance.
• Basic mathematics for mixing pesticides, fertilizers, and other materials.
• Basic physics calculations needed for safe management of dynamic weight loads of tree parts in relation to rope strength, equipment used, angle of fall, and distance to the ground.
• Tree inventory methods and basic data collection.
• Tree identification techniques and detailed knowledge of species native to the Cincinnati region and those common in the local nursery industry, including wet and dry weights per diameter inch and length.
• Plant health care related to trees, including a basic understanding of common diseases, insects, nutrient deficiencies, and corresponding treatments. Usage and purpose of liquid and granular fertilizers.
• Tree maintenance safety procedures and how to use safety equipment.

• Perform all tree maintenance (pruning, removal, planting, and stump grinding) to International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and ANSI A300 industry standards.
• Climb proficiently at considerable heights using single and/or double rope techniques and redirects as needed to reach all points of a tree safely, efficiently, and securely.
• Efficiently and safely manage ropes during all tree care operations. Tie, dress, and secure knots used in arboriculture for rigging, pruning, and tree removal operations. Perform aerial rescue as needed to ensure the safety of fellow arborists.
• Safely and proficiently operate power equipment (chipper, aerial lift, loader/skid steer, chainsaw, stump grinder, drill, metal grinder, etc.), hand tools (hand saws, loppers, pickaxe, sledgehammer, shovel, hoe, etc.) and common arboriculture tools in accordance with ANSI A300 industry standards. Proficiently maintain all equipment prior to use.
• Plant and maintain young trees in accordance with ISA best practices and standards.

• Maintain a positive attitude and communicate effectively with fellow arborists, ground crew members, staff, and the public.
• Maintain a sharp focus and situational awareness at all times, especially when driving a truck with chipper, working aloft, communicating with crew members, and working within densely populated and/or high traffic areas.
• Work collaboratively as a team member to ensure safe working conditions for staff and the public.
• Make logical and safety‑focused decisions both in the care of public trees and to maintain a safe working environment for staff and the public.
• Perform aerial rescue of fellow arborist working aloft.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to Arborist I and support staff.
• Drive a truck with a trailer or chipper attached. Operate an aerial lift and climb at considerable heights. Understand and communicate oral and written instructions.
• Determ…