Tree Service Technician

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, this position requires skilled level work in the care, trimming, and removal of trees. This position is a crew leader over the tree crew and will be responsible for the ensuring the safety of the crew while performing work. This position primarily assists with the operation of the bucket truck or other aerial lift equipment, and also has knowledge and skills needed for the proper use of ropes, knots, climber hooks, carabineers, and any other specialty rigging devices used for safe removal of trees or limbs. In addition, this position may also assist the Urban Forester in the implementation of grants, working with contractors, directing seasonal workers, updating the tree inventory, communicating with customers, and processing work requests.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Works as part of a crew pruning dead, broken, misshapen, interfering and undesired tree parts according to ISA Standards using various specialty and common tools in the forestry trade.

Primarily responsible for the proper rigging of trees with ropes, knots, climber hooks, carabiners, and any other specialty rigging device used for safe removal and lowering of tree parts with ropes as necessary according to ANSI and industry standards.

Operates and assists with bucket truck control in tree pruning and removal performed from an aerial lift bucket truck.

Responds to storm damage calls when trees are blocking City streets, sidewalks, or other access to public property or causing other safety related issues.

Ensures that the crew performs work duties safely, utilizes proper PPE, and performs work accordingly to ANSI standards while on the job site.

Coordinates and communicates with other crew members, customers, and City employees on work related requests, tree related issues, and tracks and updates data as required.

Communicates with other crew members via a job briefing to discuss the plan for executing tasks and work orders and to determine potential hazards and obstacles, such as utilities, pedestrians, vehicles, structures, traffic or other equipment that could affect the safe execution of their duties.

Coordinates or directs other semi-skilled workers, and unskilled workers such as volunteers, interns, and seasonal workers on urban forestry tasks and projects.

Assists with tree watering, vegetation spraying, invasive species management, pest management as needed.

Assist and coordinate tree planting projects and other Urban Forestry tasks for the City and other partner projects as needed including loading and unloading trees, assisting in transportation, and getting equipment to job sites.

Performs preventative maintenance on urban forestry equipment including chainsaws, sprayers, hand tools and other equipment as needed.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Assists with contract and contract management for urban forestry projects.

Assists coordinating and tracking work required for received grants or other urban forestry projects.

Keeps work area clear of debris as needed.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Working knowledge of practices, techniques, procedures, methods, tools and equipment utilized in tree pruning and removal operations according to ISA standards and the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.

Knowledge and ability to conduct tree related maintenance and work according to ANSI standards using sprayers, hand tools, chainsaws, aerial lifts, and other forestry equipment.

Knowledge of and the ability to acquire more skills in the use and care of ropes, knots, rigging, chainsaws, and other specialty and commonly used tools and equipment.

Ability to work at heights and in adverse weather conditions, sometimes in precarious positions, with physical strength and agility.

Ability to learn tree trimming and removal methods and practice same.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and communicate with other employees, volunteers, and contractors on tree related tasks and issues.

Ability to identify tree types and species, and determine various tree related issues, deficiencies, and problems as it relates to tree maintenance, plant health care, vegetation management, and invasive species management.

Ability to recognize and have working knowledge of utilities and working within trees around utilities.

Ability to direct and coordinate semi-skilled workers, volunteers, unskilled seasonal workers, and interns on urban forestry projects and report back to supervisor as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position consists of primarily heavy work, requiring the incumbent to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or 50 pounds (or less) of force frequently in order to lift/carry, push/pull or otherwise move objects.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

This position uses relevant principles and procedures to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Two (2) years of experience in horticultural or arboricultural operations that includes tree maintenance, rigging/climbing trees, and operating equipment necessary to perform tree maintenance duties.

Valid Class B Tennessee Commercial Driver's License is required within 6 months of hire and maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Must become an ISA Certified Arborist within 12 months of hire and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.

Must maintain CPR and First Aid Training.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

None Indicated.

HYBRID WORK ELIGIBILITY

This position is ineligible for hybrid work.