URBAN FORESTRY MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Salary : $58,073.60 - $70,574.40 Annually

Location : Manteca, CA

Job Type : Full- Time

Job Number : 24-045

Department : PUBLIC WORKS

Opening Date : 07 / 03 / 2024

Description

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.

• This recruitment may close prior to the advertised date, once we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications. Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible.

Example of Duties

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.

Typical Qualifications

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 time lines.

Report to work every scheduled workday.

Supplemental Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

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

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS :

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

Valid California Class A commercial driver's license (Within 12 months of date of hire)

Valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (Within 12 months of date of hire)

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.

UPCOMING SALARY INCREASE :

3% COLA effective 7 / 1 / 2025

CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN : This position is covered under the California Public Employees' Retirement System. The following plans are applicable :

Classic Tier I : 2.7% @ 55

Employee Contribution : 8%

Classic Tier II : 2% @ 60

Employee Contribution : 7%

PEPRA : 2% @ 62

Employee Contribution : 7.75%

DEFFERED COMPENSATION & SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLANS :

457(b) Plan - Employees may voluntarily contribute to this plan. The City will contribute an additional 5% of base salary to the deferred compensation plan for all members.

CITY WIDE MEDICAL MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION :

Manteca offers various Medical Plan options through CALPERS.

Single : $950

Employee 1 : $1,800

Family : $2,400

Stipend : $600 (opt out of Medical)

DENTAL & VISION :

Benefits offered through Delta Dental & VSP

City Pays 100% of Premium Costs

LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE :

Employees shall receive coverage upon being employed one full calendar month. The City shall pay all premium costs for life insurance coverage. (Supplemental coverage available)

1 - 4 years = $8,500 Group Life Insurance

5 - 9 years = $10,000 Group Life Insurance

10 years = Group Life Insurance coverage equal to emp. yearly salary.

VACATION LEAVE :

1 - 48 months = 80 hours annually

49 - 96 months = 120 hours annually

97 - 144 months = 152 hours annually

145 months plus =184 hours annually

The maximum vacation accrual limit shall be three (3) times the annual accrual rate.

WELLNESS LEAVE : Each employee shall receive 83.2 hours of wellness leave for use in each fiscal year earned with no rollover. There is a cash out option at the end of each fiscal year. Employees hired after July 1 will receive prorated amount after 6 months of employment.

SICK LEAVE :

Employees shall accureshall accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually for each full month of continuous service. Accures per pay period.

FLOATING HOLIDAYS :

Employees will receive will receive three (3) floating holidays the first pay period in July of each year. Employees will not be allowed to carryover the floating holidays. The floating holidays cannot be cashed out in lieu of taking the day off.

HOLIDAYS : 12 Fixed Holidays

LONGEVITY PAY :

Employees with ten years of continuous employment are eligible for 20% of one month's base salary.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE :

300 per fiscal year for steel toe boots.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY :

2.5% of monthly base rate of pay per month for a Bachelors or Masters Degree. Degree must be in the following or related concentrations; Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Construction Management or related field. (Eligible after probation)

CERTIFICATION PAY : 2.5% for Water or Wastewater certification for the next highest-grade certificate. 2.5% for Certified Playground Safety Inspector. All certifications capped at 5%.

Have you previously been employed by the City of Manteca?

Are you a United States Veteran?

Please describe your experience as it relates to Urban Forestry.

Please list any Certifications or Licenses as it relates to Urban Forestry.

Please indicate which valid commercial license you currently possess.

I understand I am required to obtain a California Class A commercial driver's license and Qualified Applicator Certificate within 12 months of my date of hire.

I understand I am required to obtain a First Aid / CPR Certification within 90 days of my date of hire.

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED ?

Do you have two years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance and care of trees or urban forestry?

Required Question

Salary : $58,074 - $70,574