CITY OF ELKHART – JOB DESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT | Buildings & Grounds | POSITION | Heavy Equipment Operator II - Arborist | DIVISION | Forestry | STATUS | Full-time | CATEGORY | Hourly, AFSCME PG-8 ($28.11) | FLSA | Non-exempt | REPORTS TO | City Forester and/or Public Buildings & Grounds Department Head | DATE | 2026 | | JOB SUMMARY | The overall purpose of this position is to assist in the removal, planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs and plants with specialized skills, experience and/or knowledge in the field of arboriculture. | | PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES | - May supervise at work site.
- Operates various forestry equipment including: aerial lift, front-end loader, wood chipper, stump grinder, chain saws, hand saws, pruners, pole pruners and saws, and other forestry related equipment.
- Removes and trims trees and vegetation within the right-of-way.
- Uses ropes and rigging equipment to remove and trim trees.
- Transplants trees, shrubs and other plant material.
- Operates equipment to maintain and transplant trees from City tree nursery.
- Directs traffic at job site.
- Loads dump trucks with logs, limbs, wood chips, mulch and debris at job site.
- Must be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to remove fallen trees and limbs from street and property in emergency situations.
| | OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES | - May be assigned to plow snow.
- Maintain equipment and tools.
- Perform other duties as assigned by City Forester and/or Public Buildings & Grounds Department Head.
| | EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE | - High school education, GED or equivalent.
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in arboriculture field or heavy equipment operations.
- Knowledge of using proper pruning and felling techniques as related to urban forestry work.
- Must be able to identify common trees and shrubs for inventory and work orders.
- Commercial Driver’s License according to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
- International Society of Arboriculture Arborist’s Certification preferred.
- Experience with high voltage electrical power lines preferred.
| | KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES | - Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to guide people and provide basic directions.
- Ability to select and order materials, tools and other supplies.
- Knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions and practices used in the tree care industry.
- Knowledge of high voltage electrical power lines.
| | PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL SKILLS | - Solve practical problems with a variety of variables and limited standardization.
- Ability to perform arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages.
- Ability to carry out detailed written and verbal instructions independently.
- Good mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to operate aerial lift, front-end loader, skid steer loader, brush chipper, stump grinder, axe, chain saws, hand saws, pruners, pole pruners and saws and all other forestry related equipment.
- Body agility is emphasized using feet, legs, hands, arms and body.
- Maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling, the amount of and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Ability to work at heights in excess of 75 feet above the ground.
- Exerting up to 100 pounds of force frequently, lifting and moving objects up to and in excess of 200 pounds.
- Above normal lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, grasping and upper body and back muscle exertion.
- Vision requirements (with or without correction): clear vision at arm’s length and distances up to 100 feet and excellent depth perception and ability to observe up or down, to the right while eyes are fixed on a given point.
| | WORKING CONDITIONS | Work outside year-round. Temperature extremes are: summer 95 + degrees and winter -10 degrees. There is exposure to dirt, dust, snow, rain, and noise, equipment movement and vibration, hazardous chemicals, and electrical shock. | | DRUG TEST REQUIRED | The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore, a post offer, pre-employment drug screen is required. Random drug testing may be conducted after employment. | | | POLICY STATEMENT | - The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
- This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and other duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
- This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employee holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
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