Arborist - Developmental - Parks and Urban Forestry

Are you passionate about the environment and love working outdoors? Would you like a career that allows you to work outdoors year round and perform hands-on work caring for and maintaining trees?

The City of Edmonton’s Urban Forestry team is responsible for the care and maintenance of over 4000,000 Open Space and Boulevard trees. This developmental arborist position will have you assisting and working closely with ISA Certified Arborists to maintain the City’s Urban Forest. Maintaining trees in an urban setting is essential for creating a sustainable, resilient and livable urban environment for current and future generations. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of then this job might be for you.

What will you do?

• Assist ISA Certified Arborist in day-to-day tree care-related tasks such as pruning, chipping and tree removals
• Perform various tree maintenance activities as required including bolting/cabling, removal of broken limbs and removals of basal sprouts/suckers as needed
• Respond to emergency storm-related work and hazard tree removals or mitigation
• Provide traffic control and direction for vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic
• Set up job site to ensure that work zone is clearly identified and ensure that site is secure
• Perform inspections on and operate equipment related to urban tree care including aerial units, chippers and chainsaws
• Operate and perform minor maintenance on equipment which may include: chainsaws and various pruning tools
• Respond to 311 notifications and communicate with citizens and stakeholders in the field as needed
• Conduct job duties in a safe manner in compliance with City and Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Legislation regulations, codes, policies, and competency training
• Update tree inventory and maintenance activities on COE software
• Complete task cards, work records accurately and interpret work assignments
• Other related duties as required

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade 12 or GED
• 6 months experience in urban tree care with experience pruning and maintaining trees. Eligible experience will include hours worked as a Forestry Labourer, and/or related external urban tree care experience or landscape related work experience

Certifications and Competencies

Note - If missing certifications, candidates will be required to get missing certifications through the City within the agreed upon timeline.

• Fall Protection
• Standard First Aid
• Electrical Awareness
• Ground Worker Operations
• Structural Pruning
• Aerial Lift Operations competency
• Aerial Excavation competency
• Rigging Fundamentals competency
• Chainsaw competency
• Chipper competency
• Standard First Aid certification including AED, CPR and WHMIS
• Class 3 (with Air Brakes endorsement) license

Skills required for success

• Experience and knowledge in tree care, tree identification
• The ability, willingness, and expectation to operate or be trained on aerial bucket trucks and other equipment
• Knowledge of safety precautions and Arboriculture Best Management Practices
• Exemplary customer service skills and good written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with Google Suite including Gmail, google sheets and google docs
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm)
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation, and inclusion

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates are required to hold a valid Alberta Class 5 driver's licence (or provincial equivalent)
• Obtaining and maintaining a City Driver's permit is a requirement of this position
• Successful candidates are able to be fit for a respirator, and compliance with the City of Edmonton's Code of Practice for Respiratory Protective Equipment, including medical monitoring, is a requirement of this position
• Compliance with the City of Edmonton’s safety standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as wearing steel-toe boots, gloves, goggles, sunscreen and coveralls
• Possession of current Standard First Aid, CPR-C and AED certifications
• Applicants may be tested

Work Environment

• This role works in outdoor settings in various weather conditions
• Exposure to environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, inclement weather, dust, noise, light variation, vibrations, chemicals, and exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards may occur
• This role requires completion of repetitive and strenuous tasks such as standing, walking, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, using feet/hand controls requiring physical stamina and resilience
• The work is physically demanding, classified as Considerable/Heavy Effort, including lifting up to 50lbs and the need for significant physical strength, agility, and endurance, especially when climbing and pulling body weight up and around the tree
• Must be able to work outdoors year-round in all challenging weather conditions, from extreme heat to cold, rain, and snow
• Work is performed at heights, requiring awareness of the potential to fall or be injured and potential to be struck by branches or debris
• Location: Ambleside

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 1 permanent full-time position

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Salary Range: $34.576 - $35.510 (Hourly); $72,194.69 - $74,144.88 (Annually)

Recruitment Consultant: PO/SO

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

IND123

Classification Title: Arborist - Developmental
Posting Date: Oct 01, 2026
Closing Date: Oct 15, 2026 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time
Union: CUPE Local 30
Department: City Operations
Work Location(s): Ambleside Yard SW, 14320 Ellerslie Road Edmonton T6W 1A3