Urban Forestry Technician III​/II

Recruitment Information:  Application materials (application, cover letter, and resume) must be completed along with responses to any supplemental questions by the deadline to be considered for the position. This recruitment closes on 3/2/26 at 10pm.

This position requires applicants to pass a pre-employment exam. We have partnered with Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, WA, to administer our exams. Applicants must take the exam no later than March 5, 2026.

* To register for a testing time go to   or call the Testing Center directly at . Select City of Longview Employment Testing and select the Parks and Recreation exam. The exam cost is $50. Applicants will need a 70% or higher to be considered. Test scores are good for 5 years.

* Financial assistance is available through LCC. Inquire and apply with the LCC Testing Center. If you have already taken this exam, please attach the scores to this application.

Position Overview:

Provides arboricultural services for City departments, including health and risk assessment of trees in public rights-of-way, parks, and other City-owned property; coordination, inspection, and approval of public tree plantings (particularly within rights-of-way); and the performance of pruning, tree planting, and tree removals in support of public safety and operational efficiency.

This position also includes the safe and skilled operation of specialized tree care and material-handling equipment, supporting complex removals and maintenance activities. The Urban Forestry Technician II/III assists with the operation and support of modern equipment, including purpose-built tree handling machinery, and works closely with the crew to execute projects efficiently and safely.

Additional responsibilities include education and training of crew members on proper arboricultural practices in the field; maintenance and analysis of public tree inventory data; and ongoing evaluation of public tree needs to support long-term urban forest health.

The selected candidate will be placed in the appropriate position according to qualifications:
Urban Forestry Technician III or Urban Forestry Technician II as determined by the City.

Salary Information:

Urban Forestry Technician III: $58,320 to $74,808 Yearly

Urban Forestry Technician II: $61,680 to $79,116 Yearly

This position is represented by the EBA.  Refer to the City's website, , to view the current labor agreement.  City employees shall reside within a thirty (30) minute driving response time under normal driving conditions for emergency response.

* Makes recommendations regarding tree selection, retention, health, safety, and other issues regarding public trees. Applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on developing a public tree management program. Works with internal and external customers.

* Performs planting, transplanting, pruning, spray/inject plant and removes trees in parks, along city streets, or on other public property using various means including ladders, aerial lifts, rope and saddle, and from the ground.

* Performs a variety of tree maintenance duties in park areas, landscapes, and/or other related areas, including: watering; pruning trees, shrubs, and hedges; and/or, performing other related activities.

* Evaluates/assesses/resolves hazardous tree issues on public property and makes recommendations for action.

* Conducts field inspections of public tree plantings to determine compliance with designs, plans, and specifications.

* Performs minor repairs/improvements and maintains the cleanliness and orderliness of Urban Forestry sites (shrubs, trees, and vegetation) and facility structures (restrooms, offices, parking lots, and other urban forestry facilities).

* Performs cabling and bracing work on trees.

* Operates a variety of tools and equipment following instructions and safety standards to inspect and maintain plants. Equipment used may include aerial lift, chipper, chain saws, stump grinder, tree spade, tractors, and boom truck.

* Provides guidance to part time employee(s) regarding safety practices, methods of operating and setting up equipment, and properly pruning and removing techniques.

* Maintains an…