Arborist

Arborist

**Employment Type**:Temporary (5-6 months approx.) with potential to be permanent, Full Time

**Positions Available**:One (1)

**Location**:Aurora, Ontario
**Salary Range**:$32.78-$36.43 per hour

**Closing Deadline**: February 12, 2025

The Town of Aurora is located in the heart of York Region and just 30 kilometers north of Toronto. Our vision is to become a progressive community with a small-Town charm and our mission is to deliver exceptional services that make people proud to call Aurora home. Our workforce is talented, diverse, and committed to fostering a culture that exemplifies teamwork, embraces innovation, and values diversity, equity, and inclusion to achieve mission excellence. It is important that our workforce reflects the citizens we serve. Come join us at the Town of Aurora, “You’re in Good Company”.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Supervisor of Parks, the Arborist is responsible for maintaining Town wide urban forest programs in accordance with departmental procedures, service levels and provincial/municipal regulations; Additionally, this position is responsible for performing various arboriculture tasks including tree pruning, removal, inspections of street trees, woodlots and green spaces, planting and diagnosis of pests and disease; operates various equipment, provides advice and schedules arboriculture activities related to street trees; data collection and record keeping. Additional responsibilities include performing maintenance, construction and/or repair work related to park, open space, water course, and facility areas within the Town including operation of various mowers and equipment, assigned snow removal/salting operations, turf/sports field maintenance, park furniture/equipment inspection, maintenance and repair, horticulture/plantings programs, and maintenance, and/or other Parks Division operations; and for providing guidance to and/or assisting with orientation of Parks Divisional seasonal and/or student staff, as assigned. The Arborist will also perform inspections related to resident complaints, monitor contractors as assigned and update Forestry Crew Leader/Supervisor as required.

**Responsibilities**
- Performs general arboriculture maintenance duties related to trees on public roads, right of ways, street trees, wood lots, parks/ open spaces and other locations as required, including climbing, rigging and removal of trees.
- Prunes, plants, and/or removes trees, as directed, including removing obstructing branches, training and tree form, dead wood removal, preparing planting sites, species identification for appropriate placement, watering and fertilization, and climbing, roping, and felling as appropriate.
- Working knowledge of trees and woody plant materials relative to pest diseases and over all plant health issues; recommends and implements plant/tree health programs as required. Conducts inspections of Municipal tree inventory; identifies hazard trees and tree health related issues. Monitors the overall health of the Town’s urban forest, documenting health and safety related concerns and recommending action plans where concerns have been identified.
- Operates and/or utilizes various tools and equipment related to arboriculture works including chain saws, pruning saws (hydraulic and hand operated) pole pruners, ropes, lines, lanyards and tree climbing spurs, tree fertilization equipment as well as larger equipment such as aerial bucket truck, industrial brush chippers, heavy/light trucks (1-8ton), tractors, trailers and other maintenance vehicles and can climbs trees in a competent and safe manner.
- Performs Parks Department maintenance operations/inspections including winter snow removal, outdoor ice rink maintenance involving the operation of trucks, tractors, front-end loaders and blowers.
- Inspection and/or annual maintenance of park furniture/equipment and playgrounds; performs necessary clean-up, repairs and maintenance/refurbishing work and reports on condition of same and the need for major repairs and/or replacement.
- Conducts regular inspections of Parks Division equipment, maintains and makes minor equipment repairs and/or refers/arranges for major repairs as approved.
- Provides guidance to and assists with orientation and training of seasonal and/or student staff, as assigned.
- Assists with buildings/facilities maintenance and with set-up and amenities requirements for special/sporting events held in parks.
- Assist Roads Division in the winter road maintenance, including the operation of snowplow with wing/sander/salter in accordance with O.Reg 239.02 Minimum Maintenance Standards for municipal highways throughout the day, afternoon, night and/or weekends
- Performs other related duties, as assigned, that are in accordance with job responsibilities and/or necessary departmental or corporate objectives.

**Qualifications**
- College Diploma in Forestry, Arboriculture or a related discipline as well as International Society o