College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

Serving the U-M community, Custodial & Grounds Services are the stewards of the buildings and grounds that make the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan unique. Our employees are dedicated to the preservation of the academic and hospital campuses and pride themselves in giving exceptional customer service while conserving, enhancing, and maintaining more than 26 million square feet of property.

As stewards for the outdoor properties of the U-M's Ann Arbor Campus, Grounds Services provides horticultural and grounds keeping maintenance. Our specialized crews are dedicated professionals who pride themselves in caring for the university's natural areas.

As a Tree Trimmer I, you will plant, transplant, remove, and trim trees across the university campus. The successful candidate is one who is comfortable applying fertilizers and operating power tools such as chainsaws and chippers, and is a certified ISA arborists with a Class A or B CDL with air brake endorsement. You will use rigging to climb trees safely, so you should also have at least two years of tree climbing experience. A knowledge and climbing skills test will be administered to determine eligibility. The selected candidate for this position must successfully pass the university's background check process as well as drug testing.  

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities*

• Use ladders, saddles, spurs, ropes, rigging and slings to safely climb trees for pruning, inspections, removals or other tree care services.
• Operate aerial lift truck, front end loaders, skid loaders, stump grinders, chippers, chainsaws, and other tree trimming or grounds maintenance equipment.
• Prune or remove trees by devising a plan that includes determining the type of equipment to use, checking the tree for hazards like disease or pest infestation, performing the work using rigging for heavy branches, and cleaning up the area.
• Secure the work area including traffic and pedestrian control using barricades, hand flagging, caution tape, and other tools.
• Plant and transplant trees using loaders, trailers and various hand tools.
• Perform snow removal using tractors, plow trucks, and hand shovels. (Overtime and weekend snow removal are required)
• Perform special project work including vine removals, aerial work for other departments, and assisting with setting up the holiday tree.
• Mix and apply selective and non-selective herbicides or fertilizers in properly calibrated proportions. 
• Apply fungicides via macro or micro trunk injections.
• Assist with invasive species removal programs.
• Clean, sharpen, and lubricate assigned equipment.
• Clean and maintain assigned work areas

Required Qualifications*

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Three (3) years experience in professional arboriculture
• Two (2) years of professional climbing experience*
• Valid driver's license with less than 6 points
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Michigan Department of Agriculture Certified Pesticide Applicator License within 90 days of employment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 90 days of employment (Class A or B CDL with air brake endorsement)
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOT medical card upon employment
• Must be able to perform all duties within the classification, with or without reasonable accommodation

*A knowledge and climbing skills test will be administered to determine eligibility

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with professional landscape maintenance and equipment
• Experience with professional snow removal operations and equipment
• ISA Arborist Certification 

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm

Additional Information

Facilities and Operations seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to sustain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students' richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the AFSCME union, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.