Arborist III​/Group Leader

Position Summary

MSU Landscape Services has been maintaining campus as a living, learning laboratory since 1905. We are responsible for all aspects of landscape construction and maintenance including snow removal, signage, hardscape maintenance, golf course maintenance, tree care, and general repair on the campus of Michigan State University.

This position will provide direction, oversight, and assistance in the maintenance of general tree and plant care, preservation, treatment, and additional landscape maintenance operations. Responsibilities include climbing and trimming trees, identifying and treating tree and plant diseases, insects, and other related problems, conducting tree and plant removals, mixing and applying fertilizer and pesticide for injections and spraying, installing fencing, signage, and barricades for tree protection, documenting and maintaining databases and inventory logs, operating and maintaining tools and equipment, and performing additional campus landscape tasks.

This position will require participation in MSU Football tailgate clean up and participation in the Campus Snow Removal Plan by shoveling, operating snow removal vehicles and equipment, applying ice-melt products, and assuming the role of Emergency Response Team Captain (if volunteers are not acquired).

Pay Rate: $25.31 - $28.12 upon meeting probationary period requirements.

MSU Benefits:
Free comprehensive health care for you and your family as well as a 10% contribution toward your retirement;
Generous sick, vacation, personal and holiday time;
This position is not eligible for remote work. Regular, in-person attendance is required to meet business and customer needs.

Job responsibilities are as follows:

30% - Provide direction, leadership, and oversight to a group of workers engaged in tree and plant care, preservation, treatment, removal, and pruning operations; identifying and treating tree and plant diseases, insects, and other related problems; and general maintenance work for tree care including tree and shrub trimming and removal, soil amendment, stabilizing, and mixing, spraying, and applying fertilizers and pesticides.

Provide instruction to employees and assist with cabling, bolting, guying, and bracing designated trees. Collects, hauls, and disposes of plant refuse and debris. Operates various hand tools, power tools, power equipment, and heavy equipment/machinery to perform job responsibilities such as ropes and safety saddles, ladders, spurs, handsaws, pole pruners, chain saws, gas powered brush cutters, stump grinders, aerial tower trucks, hydraulic sprayers, mist blowers, compressors, brush chippers, articulated loaders, grapple trucks, tree spades, and other vehicles and related equipment.

Cleans and maintains work areas, vehicles, power equipment, and hand tools.

20% - Assigns work to, and checks work of, assigned support employees. Assists in maintaining records of time and overtime of assigned support employees, as necessary. Performs maintenance work in all arborist responsibilities to assist crews in task completion. Instructs assigned support employees in proper work methods and safety techniques. Monitors working areas to assure compliance with safety precautions. Requisition s tools, equipment, and supplies as necessary.

20% - Directs employees on proper task completion for tree protection fencing, barricade and sign installation, root pruning, and other preservation methods used to protect trees during construction activities. Provide instruction and assistance in planning, documenting, and performing tasks to update and maintain databases and inventory logs, such as ArcGIS applications.

15% - Assist in football tailgate cleanup. Participate in snow plan by shoveling, operating snow removal vehicles and equipment and applying ice melt products. Assume role of Emergency Response Team Captain or Salt Truck Driver in the Campus Snow Removal Plan as needed.

15% - Correspondence through email, training, meetings and professional development. Identifies and mitigates health hazards associated within the working environment. Provides customer service to MSU Community and the public. Responds or informs supervisory staff of complaints, comments and/or unmet service needs.

• Expert knowledge of landscape equipment tools, climbing, ropes, safety equipment at heights, methods and processes used in arboriculture.
• Expert climbing knowledge and ability using ropes and other safety equipment, and expert ability to work at heights.
• Two years of satisfactory experience as an Arborist II or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience.
• Two years of experience in leading, accompanying, and overseeing Arborists and/or other landscape personnel.
• Over five years of commercial snow removal experience operating a licensed plow vehicle.
• Possession of a valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in categories Ornamental (3B), Right of Way (6), and Mosquito (7F).
• Possession of an…