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Landscape Technician - Tree Crew - Limited Term

City of Rochester, MN

Rochester, MN

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$28.46–$36.93 Per Hour
SKILLS
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Arboriculture, Background Investigation, CDL Driver's License, Change Requests/Orders, Class B License, Conservation, Construction, Diversity, Driver's License, Dump Truck/Tipper, Ecology, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Forestry, Forestry and Logging Machinery, Groundskeeping, Hand Tools, Hazardous Materials/Substances, Heavy Equipment/Vehicles, Horticulture, ISA Standards, Identify Issues, Inventory Management, Legal, Natural Resources, OSHA, Parks & Recreation, Pest Control, Place and Route, Preventative Maintenance, Record Keeping, Recreation, Regulations, Safety Process, Site Evaluation, Skid Steer Loader, Team Lead/Manager, Time Management, Truck Driver, United States Department of Transportation (DOT), Waste/Garbage/Recycle Collection, Wheel/Front-End Loader, Worker's Compensation
LOCATION
Rochester, MN
POSTED
1 day ago
Salary: $28.46 - $36.93 Hourly
Location : Parks and Forestry Shop, 403 East Center Street, Rochester MN 55904, MN
Job Type: Limited Term - FT
Job Number: 20260529
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 05/28/2026

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The City of Rochester invites applications for:
Landscape Technician - Tree Crew - Limited Term2 positions available
Parks and Recreation Department
The City ofRochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together.
The City of Rochester, Minnesota (pop. 115,000+) Parks and Recreation Department provides a variety of leisure time opportunities for people to enjoy and manages more than 5000 acres of park land and open space including over 140 individual parks and 85 miles of paved trails.

"Providing traditional, innovative, and affordable quality services (activities, programs, and facilities) for Rochester's citizens and visitors."

Nature of Work

This position is part of a team that is responsible for the care and maintenance of various City properties including park grounds, public plazas, streetscapes, trees, urban & naturalized landscapes, roadway medians and roadway right-of-ways and utilizes light to medium types of equipment including, but not limited to, utility vehicle, pick-up truck, dump truck, aerial lifts, log loader, refuse collection vehicles, snowplow, sander, large and small mowers, tractor, skid steer loader and front-end loader.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Employees in this classification/position will be required to work early mornings and weekends as part of their normal work schedule, during the active park season (April - November) or any other periodic times determined by management or contract; and/or may be assigned to perform duties such as snow plowing for other City Departments, with work schedules and work locations determined by management.
Limited Term Appointment:

This is a limited-term position anticipated to be available for up to 10 months, and is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent. When the need for additional staff ends, the position will be eliminated unless the City chooses ongoing continuation.

Pay
The 2025 starting rate is $28.46 an hour with advancement to $36.93. When the 2026 pay rate becomes available this will be updated.

Benefits
This position is not eligible for benefits except those required by law such as Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) and workers compensation.

This position is part of the International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 49. Individuals in this role, are part of the Local 49 Central Pension Fund, where $2.40 per hour is contributed to the fund; this is in addition to the City's Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) pension.
To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by day of Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.

*Maintain park grounds, public plazas, streetscapes, trees, urban & naturalized landscapes, roadway medians and right-of-ways and other public areas that the City is responsible for:
  • Operate all hand and power tools, saws, light and heavy duty equipment, and various other grounds & tree maintenance equipment necessary to maintain assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Perform grounds, landscape and tree maintenance tasks i.e. mow, fertilize, spray, prune, sweep, rake, dig, water, shovel, plant, snow removal, waste removal, etc., including formative pruning and integrated pest management.
  • Perform activities associated with landscape creation including grading, site preparation, seeding, sodding, planting, retaining wall construction, plant material installation, site restoration etc.
  • Plow and remove snow from parking lots, sidewalks and plazas and other properties.
  • Occasionally lead other team members and/or provide daily work direction for seasonal workers, volunteers and temporarily assigned City employees.
  • Properly perform tree pruning, full tree removals, repair of deformed or damaged trees, and other tree maintenance activities.
  • Clear/manage brush and tree debris removal from trails, roads, parks and other City properties.
  • Manage electronic tree inventory and work tickets.
  • Respond to storm event and any resulting damage, which may include coordination of work with other divisions, departments, contractors.
  • Maintain and perform preventive maintenance on forestry equipment.
  • Maintain records of daily tree work including participation and assistance with the Tree Inventory.
  • Comply with current OSHA and ANSI safety regulations and all City safety policies and procedures.
*Assist with other Park Department Recreation facilities and non departmental community events, divisions operations, and maintenance activities, as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned.

*ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience
An Associate's degree or two-year vocational certificate in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or closely related field; AND six (6) months of experience:
  • operating and maintaining landscape or other applicable maintenance equipment
  • performing general grounds and landscape maintenance of out-door areas
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Licenses and/or Certifications
Valid Minnesota Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement.

Desirable Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology or closely related field.

ISA Certification, Tree Inspector Certification, EHAP Electric Hazard Awareness Program.

Experience in pesticide application and integrated pest management and installation and maintenance of outdoor areas including naturalized landscapes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

*THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)
Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

*THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)
Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

*THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY
The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

*Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY PARK AND RECREATION AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
In order to provide timely services, P&R has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.

New Hires
Individuals hired for designated positions with P&R covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.

Current Employees
P&R employees in designated positions covered by the area residency requirement and who reside at a location that allows them to report to work within an approximate thirty (30) minute timeline from the time notified, prior to (1/1/2012), shall be deemed to comply with P&R's area residency requirement provided that they remain at their current address. If a current P&R employee in a designated position covered by the area residency requirement relocates, their new address/residence must be located within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location and notice must be given to their immediate supervisor prior to relocating to ensure compliance with the area residency requirement.

Promotional Opportunities
Job change opportunities pursued by the employee to designated P&R positions covered by an area residency requirement shall be withheld from employees whose address/residence is located more than thirty (30) driving miles from the normally scheduled work reporting location of their new position, with the exception of employees who are willing to relocate within 12 months from date of job change in order to comply with the thirty (30) driving mile area residence requirement; OR employees who immediately prior to their job change were in a designated position and resided at a location that allowed them to report to work within the approximate thirty (30) minutes (as noted under the Current Employee section) from the time notified.

Noncompliance with Residency Requirements
In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling
Frequent demands: sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, foot controls
Occasional demands: fine dexterity, crawling

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)
No benefits available for Temporary / Seasonal / Part-time positions
01

By completing your application and supplemental questions you are attesting all information is true, accurate, and verifies your relevant education and experience. Your submitted materials will be used to determine your employment eligibility. Do you understand and agree with this statement?
  • Yes
  • No

02

What is your preferred name?
03

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)
  • Yes
  • No

04

Which of the following best describes your level of education?
  • High School Diploma or equivalent GED
  • Less than 2 years of post-secondary training
  • Completion of a 2 year program or degree in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology, ground maintenance or related field.
  • Completion of a 2 year program or degree in a field NOT RELATED to horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology, or ground maintenance.
  • Completion of a 4 year program or degree in horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology, ground maintenance or related field.
  • Completion of a 4 year program or degree in a field NOT RELATED to horticulture, arboriculture, landscape maintenance, natural resources, ecology, or ground maintenance.
  • None of the above

05

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience performing general outdoor grounds keeping and landscape maintenance duties?
  • Less than 6 months
  • More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
  • More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
  • More than 2 years, but less than 3 years
  • More than 3 years, but less than 5 years
  • More than 5 years, but less than 7 years
  • 7 or more years

06

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience operating and maintaining landscape equipment?
  • Less than 6 months
  • More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
  • More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
  • More than 2 years, but less than 3 years
  • More than 3 years, but less than 5 years
  • More than 5 years, but less than 7 years
  • 7 or more years

07

Did any of your grounds or landscape maintenance experience include operating any of the following? (Check all that apply)
  • Refuse collection vehicles
  • Tractors
  • Skid steer loader
  • Front-end loader
  • Chippers
  • 5 yard dump truck
  • Log loader
  • I do not have employment experience operating any of this equipment

08

Which of following best describes your employment experience working with turf irrigation systems?
  • N/A - I do not have any experience in this area
  • Limited - I am somewhat familiar with them, but never really worked with them
  • Moderate - I worked with some turf irrigation systems, turning them on and off, replacing valves and heads, etc.
  • Extensive - I install, monitor, operate and troubleshoot commercial turf irrigations systems as a regular part of my job

09

Which of the following best describes your experience with developing and maintaining naturalized landscape areas:
  • N/A - I do not have any experience with developing or maintaining naturalized landscape areas
  • Limited - I am somewhat familiar with naturalized landscapes, but have never really worked with them
  • Moderate - I have developed some natural areas in my yard or on my property
  • Extensive - I have employment experience developing naturalized landscapes and/or can accurately distinguish desirable native plants from weeds

10

Did your experience with developing and maintaining naturalized landscape areas include any of the following? (select all that apply)
  • N/A - I do not have any experience with developing or maintaining naturalized landscape areas
  • Evaluate vegetation, prepare burn plans, supervise controlled burns of prairie sites
  • Plan, plant and maintain rain and butterfly gardens
  • Evaluate site vegetation and determine methodology for control of invasives
  • Maintain and establish wetlands and wetland buffers
  • Other (list below)

11

Which of the following best describes your experience with developing and maintaining high visibility landscape beds that include a mixture of shrubs, perennials and annuals?
  • N/A - I do not have any experience with developing or maintaining high visibility landscape beds
  • Limited - I am somewhat familiar with high visibility landscape beds, but have never really worked with them
  • Moderate - I have developed some landscape beds in my yard or on my property
  • Extensive - I have employment experience developing and maintaining high visibility landscape beds and/or can accurately distinguish desirable shrubs, perennials and annuals from weeds

12

Do you possess a current Minnesota Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator license in categories "A" and "E"?
  • Yes
  • No

13

Which of the following best describes the level or class of the driver's license that you currently possess?
  • N/A - I do not currently possess a valid driver's license
  • Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds
  • Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR
  • Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials
  • Class D: passenger car or truck

14

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), please indicate which endorsements, if any, that you currently possess. (Select all that apply)
  • N/A - I do not have any of these
  • T - Double/Triple Trailers
  • P - Passenger
  • N - Tank Vehicle
  • H - Hazardous Materials
  • X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

15

If hired for this position, do you agree to comply with the City of Rochester's Response Time / Area Residency policy where you must reside within 30 road miles of the Park Shop located at 403 Center St E in Rochester, Minnesota?
  • Yes
  • No

16

The Parks departments provides storm clean up services 24 hours a day, and other weekend work as necessary for events. Are you willing to be on-call or called in to work additional hours with little or no advance notice, and to work on the weekends from time to time?
  • Yes
  • No

17

Tell us how your professional, educational and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.
18

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

About the Company

C

City of Rochester, MN