Arborist

Grow with us! The City of Durango is looking for an ISA-certified arborist who is ready to help lead city maintenance crews in a field-based role focused on the care of Durango’s urban forest. With your background in park development, horticulture, and/or natural resources management, you’ll oversee and participate in planting and maintaining a diverse system of trees, shrubs, and other foliage. Reporting to the Arborist Supervisor, you will work alongside and guide assigned staff in all tree trimming, pruning, removal, installation, treatment, and urban forestry practices. You’ll diagnose tree pests and diseases and implement appropriate treatments to protect the health of forestry plants and trees.

What You’ll Do in This Role: 

• Plant, maintain, cultivate, and treat trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, including trimming, pruning, removal, and installation.  
• Guide and train assigned crew members in the field while coordinating work with the Arborist Supervisor.
• Diagnose tree and shrub pests and diseases and carry out appropriate treatments.
• Operate and maintain light, moderate, and heavy power-driven equipment used in urban forestry work. 
• Lead and participate in snow removal operations. 
• Interact with community members in the field and respond to questions about Durango’s urban forest. 
   

You Have: 

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent. 
• ISA Certified Arborist (ICA) and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) certifications 
• Two years of progressively responsible related experience in park development, horticulture and urban forestry. 
• The ability obtain and maintain the following within six months of hire: 
  • Pesticide License through State of Colorado 
  • Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Certified Flagger certification 
  • Valid state Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 
     

If you do not have a CDL or all certifications, please apply—we are willing to consider applicants who otherwise meet the minimum experience requirements. 

You Will Succeed in This Role If You: 

• Apply your knowledge of grounds maintenance and urban forestry practices, methods, and materials. 
• Lead and communicate effectively with team members and the public. 
• Prioritize safety by consistently following standard practices. 

What We Can Offer You: 

We believe in cultivating a work environment where our employees can succeed. In this role, you’ll experience the joy of working in nature while also receiving the following benefits and perks. 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance. 
• Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays.  
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan.  
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.  
• Long-term disability coverage. 
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA). 
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  
• Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area. 
• Holistic Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being. 
• Free transit pass and family member discounts.  
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning.  
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations. 

Belong at the City of Durango: 

We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences. 

The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.