Tree Trimming Tech I

General Statement of Duties An employee in this class is responsible for operating specialized, heavy, forestry/arboricultural vehicles and equipment working from an aerial lift and/or climbing trees and skillfully using power hand tools to perform routine duties in right-of-ways in the vicinity of energized electric lines. Employee will also assist in multiple tree pruning, removal, planting and maintenance functions within an urban forestry program. Work is performed on street right-of-ways, in parks, sewer outfalls, around Town facilities and land holdings. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Tree Trimming Supervisor and/or Tree Trimming Technician II. Work requires responses to emergency tree maintenance needs, which are sometimes after normal business hours. Employee Values: Employees of the Town of Wake Forest are expected to uphold and exhibit the Town’s shared employee values of caring, commitment, character, and collaboration.Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Task

• Drives and operates an aerial lift truck and uses it to prune and remove large trees, often in close quarters near buildings, vehicles, and around voltage wires. Climbs trees using ropes and saddles without spikes for pruning and with spikes for removal.
• Assists higher-level trimming technicians by serving as ground hand.
• Sets up work safety signs and cones and loads them at the end of each job.
• Prunes trees to remove live and dead limbs, using chain saws, pole saws/pruners, and hand pruners.
• Works with Urban Forestry and Street Divisions to provide clearance on streets and sidewalks, at intersections, around traffic signals and signs, and around playground equipment and picnic shelters.
• Operates trailer-type brush and chipper to chop limbs and uses chainsaws to cut up wood for pruning and removal. Hauls brush and wood in dump bed or lift truck.
• Operates bush hog to clear rights-of-way.
• Plants trees and performs follow-up watering, mulch, fertilizing, and treatment for insects and disease problems. Operates dump trucks and pump-oriented water tanks in the process.
• Maintains tools and equipment (e.g., daily preventive maintenance on the aerial lift truck and brush chipper, greasing aerial lift and chipper blades).
• Cooperates with other divisions and departments to operate an aerial lift, chip brush, and cut wood from tree pruning and removal associated with public works construction and repairs.
• Assists in the use of stump grinder and track hoe.
• Responds to “after-hours” emergency tree maintenance needs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of traffic laws, regulations, and work zone safety applicable to equipment operations.
Considerable knowledge of tools and equipment hazards and use of appropriate safety operations.
Considerable knowledge of tree trimming and cutting techniques.
Skill in the use of tree-cutting equipment.
Ability to understand the use of hand and power tools and other related equipment.
Ability to apply pesticides.
Ability to read and interpret work orders and organize the workflow of each job.
Ability to read and use town street maps to find work order locations.
Ability to record completed work daily.
Ability to understand and follow detailed verbal and written relationships.
Ability to operate and maintain heavy equipment and vehicles in forestry/arboriculture/electric utility.
Ability to use chain saws, hand saws, pole saws, pole pruners, loppers, and hand pruners.
Ability to learn to operate newly developed arboricultural equipment and machines.
Ability to work in adverse weather conditions while being exposed to loud equipment, engine noise, and fumes.
Ability to work in close proximity to high-voltage wires and other lines.
Ability to climb trees using ropes, hooks, and climbing gear.

Desirable Education and Experience.
Graduation from high school and some experience in tree work or related field.

Special Requirements
Possession of a valid class “A” NC Commercial Drivers’ License or the ability to obtain within six months of employment.
CPR and First AidPhysical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform very heavy work exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds constantly.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate various vehicles and equipment and inspect and assemble small parts.