Arborist Technician III
Requisition Number: 71607
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Classified Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 10-May-2026
Date Posted:
Job Summary
Facilities Management (FM) at CU Boulder encourages applications for an Arborist Technician III ! This role assists the Campus Arborist with tree maintenance and care and conducts other landscape duties and snow removal as assigned. Outdoor Services provides high quality, professional grounds and landscape services to enhance a safe, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious campus.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
Facilities Management is responsible for the overall physical development and maintenance of the campus. The mission of the department is to provide a safe physical environment that promotes the advancement and transfer of knowledge.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Tree Maintenance
Maintain large shrubs and trees on campus by assisting the Lead Arborist and Arboriculture Manager. Assist with monitoring the condition of trees and large shrubs, and with any related record keeping. Prune or removes trees as directed, working from the ground, with lift trucks or platform devices, or aloft with rope and saddle. Assist with in-canopy rigging and tree felling operations. Conduct real time decision making while climbing, rigging, and felling trees, and complete some jobs independently. Be able to identify tree genera and assess tree condition and health to properly prescribe, and correctly complete, pruning and other care. Conduct ground person and worksite duties and ensure worksite security and clean up. Assist with tree risk assessment and decision making related to the mitigation of hazards and/or storm damage in trees as needed. Drive/operate dump trucks, lift trucks/platforms, skid steers and stump grinders. Identify and remove invasive tree species from native areas. Recognize abiotic and biological stresses to campus trees, and participate in diagnosis and management. Participate in compiling campus tree inventory by collecting and entering data with GIS equipment. Conduct tree work according to arboricultural industry Best Management Practices, including safety guidelines. Perform additional landscape duties as assigned. Respond to special requests from supervisor or individual customers, informing them of progress or delays, and completing work in a timely manner.
Clearance Pruning
Conduct sidewalk clearance and public safety pruning. Maintain a minimum 8' of clearance over all sidewalks, and 14' clearance over drive lanes on campus. Make independent decisions related to campus safety and landscape aesthetics. Improve public safety through appropriate pruning near light fixtures. Prune trees and shrubs to improve sight lines for traffic safety and campus street signage. Assist with vine maintenance or removal.
Plant Material Establishment
Assist with the selection and delivery of nursery stock and planting trees on campus. Monitor the health and condition of recently installed plant materials to improve establishment. May supervise students or temporary employees conducting this work. Remove guying materials, and conduct hand watering for plant materials as appropriate using vehicle mounted tanks or other sources.
Snow Removal
Conduct and monitor snow removal and ice abatement activities to reduce campus liability. Remove snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs, curb cuts, paved trails, parking lots and ADA ramps using powered or manual methods in a timely manner. Respond for snow removal as required based on University activities.
Equipment Maintenance
Service, inspect, and maintain equipment related to tree work including lift truck, wood chipper, utility vehicles, pickup trucks, chain saws, and hand tools. Train others in the correct use and care of equipment.
Safety
Actively work towards a safe working environment for self, co-workers, and the public. Adhere to safety guidelines concerning rope and saddle climbing, harness use, site security, and equipment operation. Report unsafe conditions or accidents. This position may request, and use in the field, utility locates. Attend, conduct, and participate in safety trainings.
Crew Member Responsibilities
Be a crew member by completing assigned duties and coordinating work activities with arboriculture manager and lead arborist. Conduct tree care and maintenance consistent with ISA practices, ANSI Safety protocols, and campus standards. Complete time cards, charging appropriate work orders in an accurate and timely manner. May be a field work leader and/or trainer for other FM employees, students, seasonal employees, or community volunteers. Make requests or suggestions for purchase.
What You Should Know
This position works five (5) eight-hour workdays per week, Monday-Friday between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, based on staffing requirements of the department. Occasional weekend work may be required based on the needs of the department and/or essential services designation.
This role is eligible for our Facilities Management Employee Referral Program (https://www.colorado.edu/fm/referral-bonuses) .
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this position is $50,856 - $52,000.
If you have prior state-classified experience in the same class series as this position, your pay may be set at a higher amount per the state Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder (https://www.colorado.edu/) , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits) includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage (https://advantage.cu.edu/campus/cu-boulder) program.
Be Statements
Be flexible. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.
What We Require
3 years of work experience in arboriculture, landscape care and maintenance, or plant/tree nursery work. Appropriate education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Have and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license.
Have or obtain and maintain CMV Certification within 6 months of hire (must pass a DOT Physical and maintain an up to date Medical Card for this requirement).
Must acquire and maintain an ISA Certified Arborist status within 3 years or possess one currently.
Must be a Colorado resident to apply.
What You Will Need
The flexibility to work effectively within a crew or independently.
Willingness to learn and use CAD/GIS tools and equipment for updating and using tree inventory systems.
A strong commitment to safe practices and habits in the workplace.
The willingness and ability to continually acquire and apply arboricultural maintenance skills and knowledge.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
A current resume that includes date ranges for each position held and whether the position was full-time or part-time.
Optional : A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
DD-214 for veteran applicants.
Qualified veterans are eligible for veteran's preference points within the State classified system. If you are a veteran and would like to have your DD214 evaluated to determine your eligibility for preference points, please attach a copy of your DD214 to this posting. If you do not wish to upload a DD214, please email a copy to recruiting@colorado.edu and reference the job to which you are applying
If using the educational substitution for experience: proof of degree or transcripts.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by May 10, 2026 , for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs (http://jobs.colorado.edu/) .
Select here for additional information regarding Classified Staff positions: www.cu.edu/cu-careers/special-instructions-classified-staff-applicants
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Arborist-Technician-III/71607 (https://apptrkr.com/7111550)
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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
