Arborist Jobs

The Arborist is responsible for the health and cultivation of trees and grounds for UF/IFAS Facilities Planning and Operations. Duties include but are not limited to performing tree work, operating a state bucket truck, assisting with general lawn and bed maintenance, completing exterior evaluations of buildings, pressure washing, controlling weeds, communicating with customers and vendors, and assisting other trades with special projects that require groundwork or heavy equipment.
This position is covered by the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991. Individuals applying for this position or incumbents of this position are required to hold a valid commercial driver’s license as a condition of employment. The Act requires that all such individuals be subject to pre-employment and continuing post-employment drug and alcohol testing. Failure to comply with such testing is grounds for dismissal from employment with the University of Florida.

Duties will include:

• Lawn maintenance and bed maintenance oversight: Assists with general lawn and bed maintenance oversight. Completes daily grounds evaluations of plants, shrubs, grass, and mulch. Communicates with vendors for proposals, scheduling, and corrective actions. Assists with planting new trees and shrubs as needed.
• Tree work: Completes assigned work orders pertaining to tree care around IFAS buildings on and off campus. Performs various forms of tree work, including but not limited to operating bucket truck, lift equipment, grounds equipment, tractors, stump grinders, chipping equipment, power saws, tree pruning, and tree removal. Leads and trains lower-level employees. Inspects safety equipment daily and replaces it as needed. Driving a state vehicle to remote work sites will be required, including overnight travel statewide as needed.
• Weed control: Sprays herbicide to control weeds and brush as needed around chillers, fence lines, greenhouses, and parking lots. Performs other duties as required by assisting and working with other trades.
• Exterior pressure washing: Completes assigned work orders and leads other employees pertaining to exterior pressure washing of all buildings and walkways.
• Exterior evaluation of all buildings and special projects: Completes exterior evaluations of buildings and assists with special projects. Makes necessary repairs or initiates work orders to correct maintenance-related items. Ensures all grounds areas are safe and free of debris.

About IFAS Facilities Planning & Operations

IFAS Facilities Planning & Operations supports over 1,000 buildings, 57,000 acres, and eighty employees around the state of Florida. Our team’s maintenance work furthers research and education that feed the world and preserve its natural resources. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Florida and to maintain the excellence of the University.

We offer our employees a generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, pension and investment-based retirement plans, and flexible leave options.

Benefits information is available at: https://benefits.hr.ufl.edu/

For more information on IFAS, please visit: https://ifas.ufl.edu/

Must maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License Class B (CDL).