City of Elkhart, Indiana is hiring: Heavy Equipment Arborist in Elkhart

Heavy Equipment Arborist

Apply for the Heavy Equipment Arborist role at City of Elkhart, Indiana.

Pay Range

City of Elkhart, Indiana has a base pay range of $25.00/hr - $28.00/hr. Actual pay will be based on skills and experience.

Job Description

• Department: Public Buildings & Grounds
• Position: Heavy Equipment Arborist
• Division: Forestry
• Status: Full-time
• Category: Hourly, AFSCME (PG6-PG 8)
• FLSA: Non-exempt
• Reports To: City Forester and/or Public Buildings & Grounds Department Head
• Date Added: 2025

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.
• Operate various forestry equipment including aerial lift, front‑end loader, wood chipper, stump grinder, chain saws, hand saws, pruners, pole pruners and other forestry related equipment.
• Remove and trim trees and vegetation within the right‑of‑way.
• Use ropes and rigging equipment to remove and trim trees.
• Transplant trees, shrubs and other plant material.
• Operate equipment to maintain and transplant trees from City tree nursery.
• Direct traffic at job site.
• Load 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 preferred.
• Knowledge of using proper pruning and felling cuts as related to urban forestry work.
• Must be able to identify common trees and shrubs for inventory and work orders.
• Must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or obtain one within 90 days of hire.
• 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 all other forestry related equipment.
• Body agility emphasized using feet, legs, hands, arms and body.
• Maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling; the amount and type of balancing required exceeds that needed for ordinary maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Ability to work at heights in excess of 75 feet above the ground.
• Exert up to 100 pounds of force frequently; lift and move 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: clear vision at arm’s length and distances up to 100 feet with excellent depth perception.

Working Conditions

Work outside year‑round. Temperature extremes are: summer 95+°F and winter -10°F. 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. 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 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 describe the essential functions; other duties are considered incidental or secondary.
• This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities for this position. The employee may 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.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Management and Manufacturing; Industry: Government Administration