Arborist I - ISA Certified - Parks and Urban Forestry

Our urban forest isn't just a collection of trees; it's a living, breathing part of our city's identity that we are committed to growing by 2 million more trees through our "Greener as We Grow" initiative. We love seeing our team grow! We are looking for a passionate and skilled ISA Certified Arborist to help us care for these vital community assets. If you are someone who loves working outdoors and wants to work year-round as an Arborist, we want to meet you!

As an ISA Certified Arborist with the City of Edmonton, you will be on the front lines of maintaining a healthy, safe, and sustainable urban forest canopy. You will apply your expertise in best practices for tree pruning, tree removal, risk assessments and mitigation to ensure our trees thrive for generations to come. This role is perfect for a technical expert who enjoys a physically demanding environment and high-altitude work. You will work closely with engagement participants and community partners to address tree-related concerns and provide peer-to-peer mentorship to your teammates. Your work directly impacts the wellness of the city’s tree canopy, making Edmonton a greener place to live.

What will you do?

• Prune small to large trees at both ground and aerial levels using hand and power tools to ensure structural health, remove deadwood, and provide clearance for urban structures
• Ensure sidewalk and street clearances are maintained through pruning
• Respond to storm-damaged trees
• Execute tree maintenance requests such as removing basal sprouts, cabling and bracing and other requests
• Safely perform tree removals, rigging and chipping, following established schedules and safety protocols
• Conduct structural risk assessments and perform mitigation as needed
• Respond to 311 notifications regarding tree concerns, ensuring professional interaction with citizens and stakeholders
• Perform arboriculture tasks using an aerial lift or climbing (as needed)
• Maintain accurate electronic records of tree maintenance activities using GIS, timesheets, and work progress reports

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade 12 or GED
• A minimum of 3 years of urban tree care experience, emphasizing the pruning and maintenance of trees
• Current International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification as a Certified Arborist (ability to register and take ISA test within 90 days will be considered)

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 Evacuation 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, and tree pest identification
• Exceptional technical skills in tree felling, rigging, and pruning
• Ability to make critical decisions regarding tree health, safety, and work methods
• Strong communication skills to provide mentorship and guidance to peers and interact with interested parties
• Commitment to safety standards, including I.S.A., ANSI, and OH&S regulations
• 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 3 driver's licence (or provincial equivalent) with air brake (training will be provided through the City as needed)
• 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 (training will be provided as needed)
• Applicants may be tested as part of the interview process

Work Environment

• This role works in outdoor settings in various weather conditions and is year round
• 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

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 temporary full-time position

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Salary Range: $36.050 (Hourly); $75,272.400 (Annually)

Recruitment Consultant: PO/SO

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

IND 123

Classification Title: Arborist I - Certified
Posting Date: Sep 02, 2026
Closing Date: Sept 16, 2026 11:59:00 PM (MDT)
Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Temporary Full-time
Union: CUPE Local 30
Department: City Operations
Work Location(s): Westwood Central Service Yard, 12304 - 107 St Edmonton T5G 2S7