Arborist I–IV Positions
See the City of Portland Arborist Series classifications for details.
Interview with Eric Brockmeyer, Forestry Operations Supervisor I
To learn more about the Arborist positions, the Tree Bark Newsletter interviewed Eric Brockmeyer, Forestry Operations Supervisor I.
Tree Bark
What kind of work do arborists do, in general?
Eric Brockmeyer
Arborists perform all aspects of tree care. By necessity, it is an outdoor activity. You must be prepared to work outdoors year-round as shown in the photo to the right.
You need to take care of your body. Tree care is physically demanding work.
Tree Bark
Tell us about the arborist roles at Urban Forestry.
Eric Brockmeyer
Safety is our top priority. There are four progressive Arborist positions at Urban Forestry. Each position type gets more responsibility to perform increasingly complex tree care work.
Arborist I positions start at the ground level. They drag brush to the chipper, clean up work areas, and participate in specialty work such as planting and stump grinding. They also perform inoculations for emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease. Arborist I positions need to get an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License and an Oregon Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within six months of hire.
Arborist II positions lead crews for specialty ground tasks. They start learning rigging and rope control for lowering branches. Arborist II positions control job sites to make sure the work area is secure. They are trained to operate heavy equipment and to start learning bucket truck operations and cutting skills.
Arborist III positions start climbing trees without a bucket truck. They are needed for primary tree care and emergency response work.
Arborist IV positions lead crews. They perform advanced climbing, rigging, and heavy equipment operation. They oversee safety of job sites. They also oversee some of the day-to-day training of all arborist positions.
Tree Bark
How can people get the skills and experience needed for arborist roles at the City and in the tree-care industry?
Eric Brockmeyer
Try to get a job with well-known, established companies that are safety-minded. Gain experience on the job, if possible. You can also volunteer at Hoyt Arboretum to get some basic tree care skills.
Learn about plant biology through horticulture and arboriculture classes at the local community colleges. Clackamas Community College Horticulture Department has an arboriculture option. Portland Community College Landscape Tech offers an Arboriculture, Career Pathway certificate.
In the near future, Urban Forestry is planning to offer a two-year arborist trainee program. Candidates will come in as trainees, a step before the Arborist I position, requiring fewer qualifications. This future position will allow Urban Forestry to bring on folks who have strong motivation but limited tree work experience. We will provide training in safety protocol, arborist skills, and professional work habits. We are looking forward to this trainee program as being a means to provide a pathway for under-represented community members to join and increase the diversity of our team of arborists.
Tree Bark
What can Arborist I–IV positions expect working in the Urban Forestry operations team?
Eric Brockmeyer
The Operations team is a close-knit, professional, and courteous group. We’re not a production team. We don’t push extra hours or for people to work faster than necessary. We stress safety and quality tree care over rapid production rates. We have new facilities, new equipment, plenty of meaningful work to do.