Job Description
Position Type: Public Works/Forestry Worker II
Date Posted: 11/5/2025
Location: Civic Center
Date Available: TBD
Closing Date: 11/21/2025
$34.75 - $40.66/hour *Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range. NATURE OF WORK :
This is a forestry worker position in the maintenance of City trees and grounds. Work involves climbing and trimming trees, removing dead or diseased trees, planting and caring for bushes and shrubs, and applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other horticultural agents for proper maintenance. Employees will be assigned tasks of similar or higher level classifications to gain experience and training in preparation for advancement. Safety equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, reflective vests, gloves, earplugs, and protective clothing shall be worn. This position requires both scheduled and unscheduled overtime for emergencies and special projects, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following) :
- Climbs and descends trees safely using rope and saddle or aerial bucket truck, using power and manual saws; to prune or remove trees conforming to ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards and ISA proper pruning procedures while avoiding power lines.
- Plants, transplants, cultivates, fertilizes, waters, and prunes shrubs and trees; prunes shrubs using hand or electric pruners; prunes trees using hand pruner, hand saw, chain saw, or pole saw; prepares soil by operating power or hand tools and equipment such as aerator, roller, rototiller, shovel, hoe, or rake; delivers soil, compost, wood chips, and other materials to work site and shovels, rakes and levels materials; rakes and mulches leaves.
- Performs tree planting; digs holes; removes grass, properly plants trees per industry standards; replaces dirt at stump sight; plants grass seed and removes chips; loads dump trucks with wood.
- Determines appropriate chemicals and amounts required to operate power sprayers to apply fertilizers or pesticides.
- Serves as worker engaged in trimming and removal of trees, stumps, broken, diseased, and damaged limbs or supervises seasonal employees performing their assigned duties, and other tree maintenance duties; assures that proper safety precautions and procedures are followed.
- Responsible for snow plowing and snow removal from streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and downtown areas that include irregular work hours.
- Operates trucks or other City vehicles to and from worksites; loads and unloads equipment on trucks. May be called into work in response to public works-related emergencies.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance on trucks, utilizing tools and other, various equipment.
- Ability to speak and listen effectively and demonstrates strong communication skills.
- Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
- Ability to use two-way radios, mobile telephones, personal computers, cameras, tablets, and any other electronic devices frequently used to communicate and store data.
- Performs a variety of other maintenance tasks assigned to the bureau and agency.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK :
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED. College coursework in forestry or horticulture is preferred.
- Must have one (1) or more years of experience in forestry, arboriculture, or horticultural work involving tree planting, pruning, removal, inspection, or related tree maintenance.
- Must have one (1) or more years of experience operating chainsaws, chippers, and other related forestry equipment.
- Must possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with air brakes endorsement and safe driving record and have the ability to maintain it as a condition of employment.
- Must be willing to obtain an Illinois Pesticide Operator's License within six (6) months of employment and be willing to maintain it as a condition of employment.
- Must be willing and able to complete NIMS Incident training, ICS100, ICS200, ICS700, ICS8.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas :
- Considerable knowledge of the materials, methods, tools, and equipment used in the care of shrubs and trees.
- Considerable knowledge of the hazards and precautions of the equipment and chemicals used.
- Considerable knowledge of safety standards and precautions pertaining to the use of tools and equipment.
- Considerable knowledge of tree and shrub identification, diseases and their proper treatments, insect infestations, and the proper use of pesticides.
- Ability to properly identify common tree species found in Illinois within 1 year.
- Ability to operate hand and power saws, other tree trimming and removal equipment, and trucks in a safe and effective manner.
- Ability to read, understand, and apply instructions for the safe application of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
- Ability to greet the public in a courteous and pleasant manner, and with a customer-service orientation.
- Ability to identify trees with high-risk potentials and the proper means of mitigating these risks.
- Ability to work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
- Ability to utilize CMMS and other required City computer software.
- Ability to speak and listen effectively and demonstrates strong communication skills.
- Ability to use two-way radios, mobile telephones, personal computers, cameras, tablets, and any other electronic devices frequently used to communicate and store data
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WOR K:
- Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions such as extreme cold, high winds, rain, snow, sleet, high temperatures, and humidity.
- Ability to respond to work at odd hours and on the weekends.
- Ability to move debris, dirt, or other material from one place to another using a shovel, rake, or similar tool.
- Ability to move heavy objects (75 pounds or more) short distances (20 feet or less).
- Ability to focus on small and distant objects, recognize depth of objects, lift, sit for long periods of time, work in confined spaces, work outdoors at night with limited lighting, talk and hear.
- Ability to travel over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
- Ability to remain in a standing position for extended periods of time.
- Ability to work in situations where the following are present: loud noise levels, chemicals such as oil, fumes and gases, dust and dirt, and noxious odors.
SUPERVISION :
Work is generally performed under the direction of a supervisor or crew leader. Assignments may vary from season to season. The employees must use judgment in the safe use of equipment. Instructions can be either verbal or written, and the employee must make decisions regarding the safe cutting and dropping of trees in residential areas, or proper safety techniques for the safe application of chemicals. Work is reviewed through ongoing observation, written and verbal communication, meetings, and feedback from supervisors and other department employees. Guidance is provided through rules and regulations, policies and procedures, Unified Work Rules, Union Contract, Personnel Rules, and OSHA. Work is evaluated at least annually for the safe and skilled operation of equipment, quality of tasks, adherence to work rules, and performance in accordance with classification standards.
PUBLIC CONTACT :
The employee has contact with the general public in residential areas and with the public using parks and recreational areas to respond to questions and complaints and provide general direction; the employee has regular contact with other City employees in order to share information and complete work tasks.
SELECTION METHOD TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST Structured Oral Interview Category Group 2 Years
To apply for this position, please apply online at on or before the closing date.
Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.
The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Human Resources Office at (847) 448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).
Job Tags
Odd job, Contract work, Seasonal work, Work at office, Night shift, Afternoon shift,