Arbor Technician

Arbor Technician I or II

Full Annual Salary Range
Arbor Technician I: $60,536.38 - $71,529.57

Arbor Technician II: $65,614.19 - $77,470.60

Starting Salary Range

Arbor Technician I

Probationary rate: $29.1040 (annualizes to $60,536.38)

Base rate: $29.3925 (annualizes to $61,136.38)

Arbor Technician II

Probationary rate: $31.5453 (annualizes to $65,614.19)

Base rate: $31.8338 (annualizes to $66,214.19)

This position will be filled at the I or II level depending on the qualifications of the successful applicant.

Department: 

Public Works

Division: 

Operations

Job Summary:

The Arbor Technician is responsible for assisting in the coordination of the care and health of the City's trees by monitoring, treating and safeguarding City tree's health conditions to improve public safety within and enhance the appearance of the City's parklets and open space properties, on public right-of-way, and other properties under the control of the City.

Distinguishing Characteristics: 

Arbor Technician I is the journey-level class in the Arbor

Technician series. This job class performs general arbor tasks while learning the more skilled tasks. Incumbents in this classification receive on-the-job training, specific day-to-day direction, under moderate supervision. Positions at this level are not expected to function with the same amount of knowledge or skills as positions allocated to the Arbor Technician II level and exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Under supervision and through training and experience, employees in this classification are assigned increasingly responsible duties.

Arbor Technician II is the advanced journey-level class in the Arbor Technician series. Incumbents assigned to this classification are expected to perform the full range of duties and work with considerable proficiency, independence, and initiative. Advancement to the Arbor Technician II position is based on meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory job performance, and position availability.

Essential Functions include (but are not limited to):

• Plants and transplant trees, shrubs, and other plants.
• Treats and/or removes dead or diseased trees, shrubs, and other plant materials through the use of handsaws, chainsaws, pesticide sprayer, stump grinder, and woodchipper.
• Operates end loader, skid steer loader, backhoe, dump trucks, and various boom trucks for tree maintenance work as assigned.
• Trims and prunes trees using an aerial lift truck or rope and saddle.
• Sprays and fertilizes trees, shrubs, and other plants.
• Responds to emergency calls about trees.
• Diagnoses tree disorders and assists in their control measures.
• Oversees activities of Arbor/Landscape Maintenance Workers, part-time and seasonal workers.
• Removes snow from sidewalks by shoveling or using snow blower. Removes snow from streets and parking lots using snowplow; spreads salt on streets and sidewalks.
• Keeps daily logs and records as assigned.
• Assists in the maintenance and repair of chainsaws and other small equipment.
• Performs daily preventative maintenance of equipment.
• Cleans Public Works facilities and yard as assigned.
• Responds to emergency calls as necessary; assesses emergency situations; corrects or controls situations and contacts Crew Leader, Arbor Supervisor, Deputy Director for Operations or Director of Public Works if situation requires such.

Minimum Qualifications include:

Arbor Technician I

• Knowledge of and skills typically acquired through graduation from high school; knowledge of basic science, math, and communication
• Three years of related work experience dealing exclusively with trees.
• Ability to lift 100 pounds and maneuver at least 200 pounds on a regular basis, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must possess or obtain within six (6) months of employment a valid State of Illinois Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Air Brake endorsement and have a safe driving record. 
• Obtain an ISA Certified Arborist designation within 12 months of hire.
• Must possess an Illinois Pesticide Applicators license or obtain one within 12 months of hire.

Arbor Technician II

• Knowledge of and skills typically acquired through graduation from high school; knowledge of basic science, math, and communication 
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in Arbor Technician I position or comparable relevant job experience. 
• Must possess or obtain within six (6) months of employment a valid State of Illinois Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Air Brake endorsement and have a safe driving record. 
• Must possess ISA Certified Arborist designation. 
• Must possess an Illinois Pesticide Applicators license. 

For a complete list of duties and qualifications, please refer to the job descriptions.

Compensation and Benefits

The city of Urbana offers competitive compensation and benefits to our employees. The starting salary for Arbor Technician I is $60,536.38. The starting salary for Arbor Technician II is $65,614.19. The City of Urbana provides its employees with a robust benefits package that includes the following options:

 Health insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, including a no-cost premium option for employees

• Dental insurance options through Delta Dental
• Vision, Voluntary Life, Short/Long-term Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness insurance options
• Flexible Spending Plan option
• Paid holidays
• Generous vacation and unlimited sick leave accruals

 For more information about City benefits for this position, please visit www.UrbanaCareers.org/afscme-benefits

To Apply:

Visit www.urbanacareers.org for more information or to apply. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, however the date of first application review will occur after Sunday, December 7, 2025. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to this date for priority consideration.