Title: Arborist
Position Type: Staff Full-Time
Days Per Week: Monday - Friday 6:00AM-2:30PM.
Hours Per Week: 40
VP Area: Finance and Administration
Department: Facilities Management
Location: Elon Main Campus
Position Summary
The Arborist position is responsible for the health and appearance of the trees on the Elon University campus. This is a skilled position which works with the other university arborists to maintain, prune, remove, transplant, and plants trees using horticultural and industry approved practices. They are also responsible for keeping the tree inventory up to date.
Benefits of Working at Elon
As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.
Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.
Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:
28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.
Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses
Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.
Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.
Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.
Free use of campus fitness facilities.
Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.
Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.
Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.
Minimum Required Education and Experience
High school diploma or GED with more than 8 years of experience
Preferred Education and Experience
Associate degree, or vocational or technical school degree in Arboriculture or related field
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No formal supervisory responsibilities are included with this position. However, when augmented with seasonal workers or leading a project, the arborist must coordinate their efforts to accomplish the work assigned.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals and technical literature. Verbal skills required to effectively communicate work assignments and interacting with landscape contractors.
MATHMATICS SKILLS
Must be able to understand basic arithmetic calculations in order to calculate areas, calibrate application equipment and apply fertilizers and pesticides accurately. Able to perform accurate materials and cost estimates for projects.
REASONING ABILITY
Must be able to perform detailed visual observation of trees and ascertain information, while working in the field, to determine if there is a general decline in the health of plant material and determine what corrective measures must be taken.
OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED
Computer experience with PC's, experience with Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel is required. Familiarity of Arborscope program a plus.
Two (2) years' experience in all phases of arboriculture equipment use including stump grinders, chain saws, woodchippers, aerial lifts, and other equipment of the trade. Climbing highly preferred.
Required Other Training, Certifications, or Licensing
Must possess a valid NC Driver’s license and be insurable by the University carrier.
A NC Pesticide License is required or must be obtained within six months of employment.
An International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification is preferred. A NC Certified Plant Professional certification is desired.
Job Duties
- Responsible for managing the health and appearance of trees throughout the university landscape and university owned property. This shall include diagnosing: tree health issues or improper growing conditions, understanding and following appropriate IPM practices to determine and perform pesticide applications, perform: weed control and removal, fertilization, watering, planting, pruning and removal of tree material.
- Arborist will maintain, document, and report the tree inventory on-campus annually and update through the Arborscope database. They will recommend trees for removal annually, unless immediate removal is necessary. They assist with safely removing the tree, debris, and stumps. This includes coordinating efforts with tree contractors when necessary. Make recommendations for replacement trees and assist with acquisition of trees to be planted. Order, install, and maintain the tree labels throughout the campus botanical garden.
- Arborist will maintain the pot-in-pot nursery to include potting trees and periodically moving to larger pots before going out into the campus landscape, They will recommend placement of the trees on-campus and assist with planting the trees. Record current inventory in the nursery bi-annually, as well as documenting species that did not survive in the pots. Recommend new trees to add to the nursery collection.
- Perform scheduled maintenance activities to include but not limited to the support of special events, projects, conferences, and other activities hosted on the campus of Elon University.
- Inclusive Community Building Community is foundational to Elon and a shared responsibility within our residential campus. All who work at Elon should demonstrate an understanding of and engagement with Elon’s foundational commitment to relationships, mentoring and collaboration in a close-knit residential community. We embrace the shared responsibility to foster inclusive excellence within a strong residential community. Accordingly, employees are expected to join together and build connections in activities that foster an active and engaged campus environment and engage in professional development to support the shared responsibility of enriching diversity, equity, and inclusion through meaningful relationships and mentoring at Elon. Employees are encouraged to, for example, attend or participate in campus activities such as College Coffee, Numen Lumen, campus cultural events, athletic events, continuing education, professional development opportunities and trainings, employee resource groups and other university-sponsored activities to demonstrate an active commitment to the Elon community.
Special Instructions to Applicants: The position is part of the Elon Emergency Response team and is required to be available to assist with preparation, throughout, and after inclement weather events. This is not limited to only inclement weather events, but all University emergency events. There is assigned evenings and weekend work from time to time.