URBAN FORESTRY MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Basic Function:

Under the direction of the Parks Operations Supervisor, or assigned management, perform skilled work in the care, pruning, maintenance, planting and removal of park and street trees; and perform related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a journey level position, capable of pruning, trimming and removing trees; planting and transplanting trees and performing a variety of related tree maintenance duties. Incumbents initially work under supervision, but will be expected to perform with increasing independence as experience and skills are acquired.

Essential Duties:

Uses aerial lift to prune trees to provide clearance of streets, sidewalks, overhead lines, buildings, signs and lighting and performs structural pruning for continued tree health and safety.

Performs ground trimming/pruning using pole saws and loppers.

Performs root pruning and stump removal using various types of equipment.

General vegetation and brush pruning and clearing.

Rigs, lowers and stacks branches and cuttings; operates brush chippers and stump grinders; works from ground and aerial lifts.

Plants, stakes, maintains new trees on City owned right of ways and parks. Inspect, spray, inject and monitor herbicide and pesticide program.

Operates and maintains a wide variety of hand and power tools and equipment, including hydraulic buckets, aerial lifts, brush chippers, stump cutters, and power saws; inspects and performs minor maintenance; reports major repairs as needed.

Drives vehicles, including boom and bucket trucks and operates auxiliary equipment; inspects vehicles and equipment and maintains in a clean, safe operating condition; reports needed repairs.

Responds to complaints or questions from the public and to emergency situations; provides information or refers to others as appropriate.

Observes safe driving and safe work practices; uses safety devices and equipment; secures work sites from traffic and other hazards; attends safety meetings as required.

Performs traffic control to ensure safety of vehicles, pedestrians and workers in high traffic areas.

Keeps basic records and logs of work performed, documents maintenance, inspections, removals and new plantings on Arbor Pro Management Software and other related programs.

Inspect, sharpen, service, and maintain all chainsaws, pole saws and tools.

Estimate labor, materials and equipment needed for repairs, replacement or emergency response; monitor inventory levels of supplies and equipment.

Communicate with City personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns.

Respond to emergencies, both during and after work hours.

Attend meetings and in-service training sessions as assigned.

Other Duties:

Perform related duties as assigned. Exercise technical or functional supervision of other full-time, part-time or volunteer workers as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Methods, procedures, materials, tools and equipment used to properly maintain the City’s urban forest.
• Techniques, practices, procedures, supplies, tools and equipment used in the installation and maintenance of newly planted trees.
• Operation of a variety of power-driven equipment, saws, grinders and small hand and power tools.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.
• Uses and purposes of knots and ropes related to tree trimming and maintenance.
• Forestry principles and practices including tree identification and professional pruning principals.
• Tree removal methods.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices associated with the operation of tree trimming equipment and tree rescue procedures.
• Traffic Control including placement of cones and warning signs.
• Common tree diseases and pests and their treatment; knowledge of IPM principles and practices.
• The use and application of chemicals, insecticides and fertilizers.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Principles of urban forestry.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Proper lifting techniques.

Ability to:

• Inspect, trim, prune, remove and plant all types and sizes of City trees.
• Safely operate tree trimming tools and equipment such as chainsaws, pole saws, aerial lifts, chipper trucks, brush chippers and stump grinders.
• Apply pesticides and herbicides in a safe, effective manner.
• Perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods of time in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Observe health and safety regulations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Maintain records related to work performed.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Report to work every scheduled workday.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school or GED equivalency, and two years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance and care of trees or urban forestry.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Possession of a Valid California Class B commercial driver’s license.

First Aid/CPR Certification (within 90 days of date of hire)

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment:

Outdoor work environment.

Seasonal heat and cold or adverse weather conditions.
Exposure to fumes, dust and odors.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

Physical Demands:
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate hand and power tools and equipment.
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Walking over rough or uneven surfaces.
Seeing to read a variety of materials and perform maintenance and repair duties.
Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy objects as assigned by position.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching.
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
Heavy physical labor.
Digging.

Hazards:
Working around and with machinery having moving parts.
Hazardous chemicals and fumes.