Park Technician - Urban Forestry

Overview

Are you ready to branch out and take your arboriculture skills to new heights? If you’re passionate about trees and thrive in dynamic environments, we have the perfect opportunity for you! We’re looking for a skilled professional to join our team, where you’ll perform a variety of technical tree work, including aerial tasks and physical labor, all while ensuring the health and safety of our urban forests.

The Park Technician - Urban Forestry performs technical tree work and other arboricultural duties, including aerial tree work and rigging, and may serve as lead to assigned staff. Work zones include interfacing with public and private properties, occasionally under stressful or hazardous conditions such as storm damage.

SALARY INFORMATION AND BENEFITS

This position will start at Step 1 ($33.59/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $33.59 - $43.83. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Tues. 2/17/26, 8:30 AM Pacific Time

• Works closely with the Park Arborist as a team to carry out technical tree work. Provides input to the Park Arborist in developing the technical work plan. Assists in assessing the site, checking for safety hazards, determining equipment and personnel needs for tasks, and determining the scope and magnitude of the job. Monitors the worksite to ensure the safety of the work crew and the public.
• Supports the Park Arborist in the program area to meet the operational goals of the program.
• Performs a variety of technical tree work. Organizes, prepares and arranges climbing and rigging gear; establishes anchors and rigging points, and operates lines and lowering devices. Climbs with rope, saddle, spurs and flip line as well as aerial lifts. Operates chainsaws and rigging systems in aerial situations as well as on the ground. Performs work on the ground including tree felling, bucking, and chipping limbs.
  
  Conducts work in City streets within the street tree program; prunes, plants and removes trees. Sets up traffic control when needed.
• Assists in inspecting and monitoring trees and forest stands for safety concerns and maintenance needs using written and GIS-generated plans, maps and Tree Risk Assessment documents, and public and private drawings.
• Operates a wide variety of equipment and vehicles such as trucks, brush chippers, tractor/loaders, chainsaws, blowers and trimmers, as well as other power equipment and hand tools. Operates large dump trucks with large brush chipper in tow. Conducts daily visual inspection of assigned equipment. Repairs and maintains chainsaws and other equipment used in the Urban Forestry program and housed at Park Operations.
  
  Reports equipment issues or damage to supervisor.
• Works independently or with a crew in other areas of the Parks and Recreation Department to perform horticulture tasks such as pruning, planting, tree removals and related maintenance.
• Accurately and professionally answers questions and concerns from the public and other City staff related to Urban Forestry.
• Assists the Arborist in maintaining the inventory of…