Arboriculturist

About the role

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets! At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city. With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live. Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving. We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together! SDOT’s Right of Way Maintenance and Urban Forestry division has Arboriculturist opportunities available! These positions provide arboricultural field inspection services for tree work related to SDOT permits. They also provide technical expertise for planting, care and maintenance of trees and plant materials, including root protection, soil restoration, mulching, watering, and pruning. The positions also inspect work to ensure compliance with approved permits and updates the SDOT tree inventory map for all permitted tree work.

Responsibilities

• Attend pre-construction meetings and review tree protection plans; establish and monitor tree protection; evaluate exposed root systems; oversee root pruning and recommend other measures to lessen construction impacts on existing trees; evaluate pruning needs for equipment operation and construction access.
• Post tree removal notices on trees impacted by SDOT projects and respond to public inquiries related to tree removal, retention, and protection; provide timely evaluation of public safety concerns, diagnose insect and disease problems, and complete tree risk assessments and appraisals as needed.
• Update SDOT tree inventory to track tree removals and new trees; complete inspection checklists in Accela; facilitate permit closeout and bond release for development projects.
• Ensure permit plans are designed to grow Seattle's tree canopy, protect public safety, and prevent conflicts with city-owned infrastructure. Make adjustments as needed and document changes in the SDOT tree inventory.

Requirements

Required to work in all weather conditions and stand, bend and walk for extended periods.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Forestry, Natural Resources, Botany, or related field

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the care, planting, and maintenance of trees and plant materials and demonstrated experience in supervision or lead work.

License, Certification: A valid Washington State driver's license OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience: ISA Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, At least three (3) years of experience protecting trees during construction.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Pay

The full salary range for this position is $45.16 - $52.71 per hour.