Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentice

The Urban Forestry Arborist Apprenticeship is a three-and-a-half-yearprogram that includes 5400 hours of on-the-job learning and 440 hours of paidinstruction encompassing all aspects of tree care from planting and pruning tomanaging diseases and insects. This comprehensive program prepares ArboristApprentices for promotion to Urban Forestry Specialist (Journey WorkerArborists).

More information about the Arborist Apprentice opportunityselection process and upcoming information sessions can be found at thefollowing link: City of Milwaukees Urban Forestry Arborist ApprenticeProgram is regulated by the State of Wisconsin Workforce Development-Bureau ofApprenticeship Standards. To learn more visit their website: dates are scheduled as follows(subject tochange):

Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices (UFAAs) participate in aprescribed curriculum in which they learn to plant maintain and remove treeslandscape and turf growing on the City of Milwaukees boulevards and greenspaces with an emphasis on arborist duties.

Apprentices will be trained to perform the following duties:

Tree Plant and Boulevard Maintenance:

• Prune trees by means of safely climbing and using a rope and saddle while working at heights of 60 feet and higher in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Pruning Standards and ANSI Z133 Safety Standards.
• Prune shrubs from the ground according to accepted horticultural practices.
• Perform tree rigging on the ground and aloft.
• Plant maintain and remove trees shrubs and other landscape plants on City boulevards and green spaces.
• Perform plant health care activities such as treating trees and shrubs to prevent common pests and diseases.
• Operate large vehicles such as aerial lifts and 2½-ton dump trucks.
• Operate specialized power equipment and hand equipment on the ground and aloft such as mowers skid steers small tractors with buckets or forks stumpers chainsaws chippers trenchers backhoes pipe pullers sprayers tree injection equipment and other hand and motorized equipment.
• Perform field maintenance on some power equipment.
• Construct repair and maintain concealed irrigation systems.
• Adhere to ANSI OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and departmental safety standards at all times.

Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices serve in an emergencycapacity removing broken branches and fallen trees and participating in theCitys snow and ice control operations. As an employee of the Department ofPublic Works (DPW) Forestry may be directed to assist other DPW sections duringnatural disasters or other events that place an undue burden on any singlesection.

Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices must be willing and ableto do the following:

• perform physically demanding work
• properly lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance
• be trained to use hazardous equipment properly and safely such as chainsaws and woodchippers
• work outdoors in variable weather conditions (e.g. heat cold and wind)
• tolerate conditions such as noise dirt and pollen
• climb ladders and ropes and work at heights of 60 feet or more
• wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and use fall protection gear
• work beyond assigned shifts to respond to various emergencies

By law persons in these positions are required to passpre-employment drug tests and are subject to random drug and alcohol testingduring employment. Candidates must sign a release authorizing the City toreceive the results of any drug and alcohol tests conducted by previousemployers during the past two years if those tests were required by the of Transportation (DOT).

Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices will be required toenter an apprentice contract with the State of Wisconsin and with thesponsoring organization which is the City of Milwaukee.

The preplacement testing required for this title includes:

• physical with lift test
• audio gram
• vision test
• DOT drug test

1. Valid drivers license at time of application closing; validWisconsin drivers license at the time of appointment and throughoutemployment.

2. Good driving record at the time of application closingand throughout employment.

3. At least 18 years of age atthe time of applicationclose.

4. Graduation from an accredited high school or one of thefollowing at the time of appointment:

A)completion of a Wisconsin General EducationalDevelopment (GED) (or GED from another state that meets Wisconsin GEDstandards)

B)High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or

C)completion of a home-based private educationalprogram provided the applicant can provide copies of the State of WisconsinForm :The anticipated start date will be inMarch2026.

5. Respond toemergency call-outs and report within 60 minutes or fewer at any time duringthe day or night any day of the week for tree damage operations snow and icecontrol operations and other emergencies

6. Possess a Class B or higher Commercial Drivers License(CDL) without Air Brakes Restriction within six months of appointment andthroughout employment.

7. Obtain the State of Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator 3.0Turf and Landscape Certification within one year of appointment and maintainthroughout apprenticeship.

8. Urban Forestry Arborist Apprentices must meet all other prescribedcertification and licensing requirements during the apprenticeship.

NOTE:Drivers license number must be listed on the application.

NOTE:Driving records will be checked during theselection process and prior to a job offer.

• Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL)Permitwithout Air Brakes Restriction at time of appointment.

Ability to learn the following:

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations applicable to the arboricultural and landscape industry.
• Common tree and landscape plant species.
• Tree biology concepts.
• Tree risk assessments.
• Signs and symptoms of insects and diseases.

The current pay range isPay Range 7DNwithin theCity of Milwaukee Salary Ordinance. The following chart indicates the salaryprogression for the Apprenticeship.

Wage Rate Advancement

Resident Incentive Advancement for City of MilwaukeeResidents Only

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefitprogram that includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement Systems (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Family Leave
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass