TREE CLIMBER II/TREE CREW FOREMAN

PRIMARY FUNCTION

• Supervise staff and temporary employees as assigned to the Tree Crew. Lead the work teams engaged in all types of practical tree care including tree climbing and tree climber training.
• Work in the interface between the city street trees, park land and privately-owned property to decrease and mitigate the City of Wilmington’s exposure to the risks and liabilities associated with the tree failures. This position reports to the City Forester.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs work aloft climbing in trees (climbing and in lift truck); utilizes specialized tree climbing techniques to prune, remove and perform general maintenance duties as assigned on park and street trees. Report and inventory hand-tool allotments.
• Tree Related Emergency Storm Response (clears fallen and storm damaged trees and brush from city and state Right-of-Way, roads, trails, bike paths, creeks and buildings).
• Assists with Public Outreach and Education programs; assist with Arbor Day Programs; assist with Green jobs Programing and work with school aged children, and adult volunteer groups.
• Update City Tree Inventory (inputs tree measurement data into the city GIS records).
• Train subordinates and evaluate the performance of employees daily to ensure workplace and public safety, efficiency of jobsite performance and completion of tasks as assigned.
• Respond promptly to constituent and inter-departmental tree related requests. Performs all related work as required.
• Possess and maintain a valid "CDL" Class “B” driver's license with an active medical examiner’s certificate, a good driving record, and ability to pass drug screening mandated by Federal Department of Transportation for CDL drivers.
• Required to attend Continuing Education and Safety Training annually.
• Obtain the International Society of Arboriculture Tree Worker Certification within one year of employment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalency with at least 2 years tree climbing experience, some supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of tree climbing techniques and capability to practices the procedures required to safely complete general tree care and removal daily. Those practices include and are not limited to the following: Some experience operating up to date and industry standard arborist climbing and rigging gear and equipment; working aloft in trees should happen 3/week and have a duration of 1-4hrs daily.
• Operate a commercial vehicle (Aerial Lift Truck and Chipper); operate and maintain Chainsaws and small engine equipment; operate and maintain landscaping hand tools; operate backhoe and/or skid loader; operate and inspect Wood Chippers, operate and inspect Tree Stump Grinders and Ability to use an IPAD, Android Table or Laptop to input tree related measurement data, check and respond to emails and CityWorks requests.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work normally involves field environment, hazardous working conditions, or physical effort. Utilize specialize tree climbing techniques. Exposure to dirt, dust, heights (sometimes exceeding 60 feet, moving parts. Employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Normally bending, dig, climbing, and working in nature around insect and wildlife.

Apply: www.WilmingtonDE.gov

City of Wilmington – Department of Human Resources, City/County Building, 800 N. French St, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801

Must pass a criminal background investigation, pre-employment physical and drug test.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,483.00 - $65,077.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Work Location: In person