Arborist

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

This position serves as a technical expert in the planning, protection, and management of trees affected by transportation projects within the public right-of-way (ROW). The position oversees plan review and construction; performs tree risk assessments and appraisals; manages tree inventory data; and tracks the performance of trees on transportation projects. This position also responds to public inquiries; participates in community outreach;

provides training and guidance to construction and field staff.

• Review and interpret engineering drawings and landscape plans; recommend design modifications or mitigation measures to reduce impacts on trees; resolve conflicts between proposed designs and existing trees; ensure new trees are appropriate for site conditions.
• Develop, approve, and monitor tree protection plans and specifications; conduct and/or supervise field inspections during all project phases for compliance.
• Supervise a team of Arboriculturists inspecting tree protection, pruning, and removals on transportation projects.
• Manage tree inventory (GIS) for transportation projects; track trees removed and trees planted; document tree mitigation needs to comply with the One Seattle Tree Plan executive order.
• Provide training or guidance to construction and field staff related to tree removal, protection, pruning, or planting.
• Schedule, track, and coordinate Urban Forestry work orders and field support during construction.
• Develop scope for tree planting projects and ensure timely coordination with contractors or SDOT crews for implementation.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding tree removal, protection, pruning, or planting.

• Baccalaureate degree in horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry, or a closely related field.

• Requires five or more years of experience as an Arborist or Landscape Architect with experience preferably in street use or urban landscape design, of which at least two years must involve supervisory, management, and/or planning duties.

• Driver’s license, or evidence of equivalent mobility

OR:
An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

• ISA Certified Arborist
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)
• Familiarity with ANSI A300 Standards
• Experience appraising trees using the Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition, published by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
• Software:
  ArcGIS Pro (or equivalent), Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Office 365
• Preferably three or more years of experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings or landscape plans
• Preferably three or more years of experience protecting trees during construction